Belo Horizonte Metro

The Belo Horizonte Metro, or Metrô de Belo Horizonte, is the rapid transit system serving Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It currently operates one line over 28.1 km (17.5 miles) with 19 stations, linking Eldorado and Vilarinho. The system opened in 1986, carried 54.4 million passengers in 2019, and is run by Metrô BH, part of the Comporte Group. Line 2 is under construction, while another line remains part of longer-term expansion plans.

Belo Horizonte Metro Map

Map of Belo Horizonte Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Belo Horizonte Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

The Belo Horizonte Metro system currently has one active route, Line 1. It runs between Eldorado and Vilarinho, covers 28.1 km (17.5 miles), and serves 19 stations across the city. For now, this line handles the full metro service and forms the backbone of local transport in this corridor.

Two additional lines have appeared in expansion planning over time. Line 2 is expected to connect Barreiro and Nova Suíça, while Line 3 has been proposed in longer-term plans. Still, the only operating route today is Line 1, so the stations map and stations list are centered entirely on the Eldorado-Vilarinho path train service.

Stations

Belo Horizonte Metro has 19 active stations on Line 1. This north-south route includes key stops such as Central, Santa Efigênia, Santa Tereza, São Gabriel, and Minas Shopping. The stations list below covers the operating network only, so planned and under-construction stops are not included.

Line 2 is under construction and is not part of the active stations map yet.

Schedule

The Belo Horizonte Metro operates every day of the year. On Line 1, the opening hours start at 5:15 am at Eldorado, Vilarinho, and São Gabriel, while the other stations open at 5:40 am. The closing time across the line is 11:00 pm.

Train frequency usually ranges from every 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day. The running time from Eldorado to Vilarinho is about 44 minutes. If you need the timetable, schedule today, or timings today for a late trip, it is worth checking in advance, especially on holidays, since the system does not run 24 hours.

Fares

The Belo Horizonte Metro uses a flat fare system, so the ticket price stays the same regardless of distance. The standard single ticket costs BRL 4.50 (about USD 0.90).

You can pay in cash at station ticket counters, use a BHBus card, or use electronic payment at some turnstiles. In some cases, QR code access is also supported. The BHBus card is rechargeable and can be used for both metro and bus travel, which makes it useful for public transport around the city.

Discounted fare options are available for seniors, students, and passengers with disabilities. A valid ID is required to apply for a concession card. Some sources mention other ticket types and passes, but the standard single-trip price remains BRL 4.50 (about USD 0.90).

Connections

The metro connects with several bus services that extend the route beyond the rail network. These links are especially useful for transportation in Belo Horizonte neighborhoods not directly served by Line 1.

• Cidade Industrial station connects with bus route 401 to Santa Maria and route 402 to Camargos.
• Vila Oeste station connects with route 202 to Nova Cintra and route 204 to Nova Gameleira.
• Calafate station connects with route 205 to Buritis.
• Vilarinho, São Gabriel, José Cândido da Silveira, and Eldorado are integrated with the Belo Horizonte Bus Service (BHBUS).
• Central station connects directly with the Ferrocarril Vitória a Minas (EFVM).
• Lagoinha station is close to the Rodoviário bus terminal for long-distance bus services.

There is no direct metro link to the airport. A common option is to travel to Lagoinha and continue by bus from the nearby Rodoviário terminal.

Connection to the Airport

The Belo Horizonte Metro does not connect directly to Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte-Confins. To reach the airport, passengers need to combine the metro with bus service.

A practical route is to take the train to Lagoinha station and continue to the nearby Rodoviário bus terminal. From there, buses run to the airport. The trip from downtown Belo Horizonte to the airport is about 45 km (28 miles), takes around one hour, and costs BRL 13.45 (about USD 4.10).

For travel from the airport back to the city, buses also run in the opposite direction. Some go to Rodoviário, while others serve Avenida Álvares Cabral and Betim. The fare to Avenida Álvares Cabral is BRL 29.35 (about USD 8.95), and the fare to Betim is BRL 44.65 (about USD 13.61).

Rules

Passengers are expected to follow the Belo Horizonte Metro rules in stations, on trains, and in related facilities. These regulations are designed to keep the system safe and orderly.

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in metro facilities and on trains.
• Passengers under the influence of alcohol or narcotics are not allowed to board.
• Boarding without a shirt is not allowed.
• Firearms and other deadly objects may not be carried without prior permission from metro staff.
• Flammable and explosive materials are forbidden.
• Smoking is not allowed in stations or on trains.
• Music may be listened to only with headphones.
• Begging is prohibited in stations and on trains.
• Selling goods is not allowed unless authorized.
• Distributing leaflets or putting up posters without authorization is forbidden.
• Improper use of escalators, including going in the opposite direction, can lead to a fine.
• Passengers may not distract or inconvenience metro staff.
• Staff-only areas are off-limits.
• Goods that inconvenience other passengers or damage equipment may not be carried.
• Small animals are allowed only in cages.
• Metro staff may deny access to passengers with a highly contagious disease or infection.
• Running, disturbing others, or assaulting passengers is not allowed.
• Children should stay with their legal guardians.
• Damaging metro equipment or using it improperly is prohibited.
• Do not place your feet on walls, benches, or seats.
• Littering the tracks is forbidden.
• Do not cross the yellow line while waiting for a train.
• Passengers must not obstruct train doors while they are opening or closing.
• Emergency equipment must be used only in real emergencies.
• Entering the driver’s cab is forbidden.

It is also worth remembering that the metro has fixed working hours and does not operate overnight.

Fun Facts

• One train can carry roughly the equivalent of 13 bus loads of passengers.
• The metro makes an average of 300 trips per day, or about 7,600 per month.
• The system has carried more than 58 million passengers in a year.
• Daily ridership is approximately 230,000 passengers.
• Trains have a punctuality rate of 99.5%.
• The metro connects with 430 bus lines through designated stations.
• Revenue from the system has helped plant about 60,000 trees, creating 25 hectares of green space.
• The fleet includes 25 trains, each weighing 202 tonnes and measuring 91 m long by 3 m wide.

The system is also notable for being a surface rail network with one 28.1 km (17.5 miles) line and 19 stations.

History

The first section of the Belo Horizonte Metro opened on 1 August 1986 with six stations and three trains in service. In 1987, the line was extended to Central station and two more trains were added. During the mid-1990s, the route expanded several times, and in 2002 the last five of the current 19 stations were added. Full service between Eldorado and Vilarinho began in 2005.

Passenger rail in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area goes back to 1957, when a suburban train network was created between Belo Horizonte Station and Barreiro Station. From 1966 to 1996, suburban rail services expanded across Belo Horizonte and nearby municipalities, with 21 stations and several regional connections.

In 1977, mayor Luiz Verano presented a metro project to Transport Minister Dirceu Nogueira. GEIPOT was then asked to prepare a plan for the metropolitan region that would ease freight bottlenecks, remove level crossings, and improve passenger rail service. The original project proposed a 57.5 km (35.7 miles) network with 22 stations and 25 electric train units.

Funding took years to secure. After unsuccessful talks with the Inter-American Development Bank and British banks, the Ministry of Transport signed a financing agreement in July 1981 with a consortium of French banks for USD 220 million. The full project cost was estimated at USD 400 million.

Construction began in June 1981. The priority phase was meant to be completed in 1986 and covered 33.8 km (21 miles), including the Eldorado-Matadouro double-track section and the Barreiro-Calafate branch. But after federal funding stopped, the works were repeatedly delayed. By 1987, only the Eldorado-Central section was partially operating, with 12.5 km (7.8 miles), seven stations, and five trains.

From 1991, funding resumed and the project was revised to reflect new travel patterns and growth in the northern metropolitan area. Priority shifted to completing the Central-São Paulo section and extending the line toward Venda Nova. New station designs were also introduced, with lighter structures, lower costs, and better pedestrian access.

The extension to Vilarinho began in 1996 with 6.6 km (4.1 miles) of new track and five stations. In 1997, the Central-São Paulo section was completed with José Cândido da Silveira and Minas Shopping stations. In 1998, work began on Line 2 with support from World Bank financing and the regional rail master plan. In 2002, the extension to Venda Nova was completed with five new stations: São Gabriel, Primeiro de Maio, Waldomiro Lobo, Floramar, and Vilarinho. Line 2 was halted in 2004 because of budget constraints.

Later, several expansion proposals were studied. In 1995, an agreement between CBTU, the Government of Minas Gerais, and the City of Belo Horizonte supported planning for expansion and future concession. Metrominas was created in 2000, but implementation stalled because asset transfers never took place. In 2008, the state government commissioned a public-private partnership study covering modernization of Line 1, construction of Line 2, and a possible Line 3.

In 2019, the system entered Brazil’s national privatization program. In June 2020, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced funding for Line 2, and on 22 December 2022 the Belo Horizonte Metro was granted to the private sector in an auction on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. Since then, Metrô BH has operated, maintained, and expanded Line 1 while building Line 2 under a 30-year concession.

Future Expansions

The main expansion now moving forward is Line 2. This new route is planned to connect Barreiro and Nova Suíça, adding 7 stations and about 10.5 km (6.5 miles) of new track. According to the available information, Line 2 is under construction and is expected to begin operating by 2027 or 2028, depending on the source stage referenced.

Line 1 is also set for upgrades, including an extension toward Novo Eldorado. The available material describes this as a short addition together with signaling and operational improvements.

Older route plan proposals have included links toward Betim, Ribeirão das Neves, Santa Tereza, Savassi, and other parts of the metropolitan area, but these remain proposals only.

• Line 2: Barreiro to Nova Suíça, 7 stations, about 10.5 km (6.5 miles)
• Line 1 extension: planned toward Novo Eldorado
• Other projects: proposed in past planning, but not confirmed as under construction

Nearby Attractions

The metro can be a practical way to reach a few city attractions near key stations. Around the main railway station in central Belo Horizonte, São José Church stands out for its 1902 neo-Manueline design and free admission. In the same area, the Museu Força Expedicionária Brasileira offers a compact look at Brazil’s World War II expedition to Italy.

From Santa Inês station, visitors can reach the Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens of UFMG, a good stop for anyone interested in plants, animals, and local wildlife. The site includes exhibits with species such as monkeys, agouti, and turtles, and also offers activities aimed at making physics more engaging for children.

The metro also gives access to the central part of Belo Horizonte, where museums and historic buildings are concentrated. Nearby highlights include the Museum of Arts and Crafts at Praça Rui Barbosa and the broader cultural area around Praça da Liberdade.

• São José Church – downtown, near the main station
• Museu Força Expedicionária Brasileira – near the main station
• Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens (UFMG) – near Santa Inês station
• Museum of Arts and Crafts – central Belo Horizonte