How to Use the Metro in Medellin

June 8, 2011 By Jessica at Medellin Living

The metro in Medellin is the only rail-based mass transportation service in Colombia, and it does not contaminate because it uses electrical technology!

The Metro is a breeze, compared to New York City anyway.  It is clean, big, above ground and usually smells nice.

Except in rush hour when you have to wait 2-3 metros to cram on with the others, it is usually spacious too.  So definitely try to avoid rush hour if you can.

How to Use the Metro in Medellin

1.      There are 2 basic lines to the Metro, the red line and the blue line.

1.    There are also 2 metro cable lines attached to the metro lines as well, and there is no additional cost to transfer to them.  (The exception is the new metrocable to Parque Arvi from Santo Domingo).

2.      A single Metro ride costs 1,900 COP (about $1 USD).

1.    If you know you will take a Metro and then a bus, you can ask for an “integrated” ticket.  This will buy you a ticket for both, and be cheaper then buying tickets separately.  But only certain bus lines accept this so you have to figure that out for yourself!

2.    You can get a Metro Card but it doesn’t allow you to buy more fares for less money.  Instead, it allows you to go through a separate turn-style, which helps you to avoid some of the people traffic you may encounter.  It really has saved me a LOT of time.

3.    There are no automated ticket machines.

3.      The hours of the Metro are:

1.    Monday to Saturday: 4:30 AM – 11 PM

2.    Sundays & holidays: 5 AM – 10 PM

4.      Do not be alarmed to see armed policemen in all of the Metro stations.  Usually they are young men, ages 18 – 20 who are doing their mandatory military service.

5.      Traveling on the Metro is generally very safe, however be extra careful of pickpockets during rush hour or any other time the metro cars are crammed full of people.