Valparaiso Metro — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Valparaiso Metro Information

The Valparaiso Metro, also known as the Merval network, is the metro system that serves the urban conglomeration of the Gran Valparaiso district in Chile. The network connects the Chilean cities of Limache, Villa Alemana, Quilpue, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. The service was inaugurated about a decade ago, in November 2005, and became fully operational the following day. Between Recreo and Puerto stations, the system runs at street level along the Pacific coast, offering exquisite views of the surroundings. The trains then descend into the tunnels that run under Alvarez and Viana avenues, with four underground stations. They make an exit at El Salto – an industrial area – before continuing on a winding route into the city’s hinterland. As in 2013, the Valparaiso metro reported an annual ridership of 20.2 million.

The Valparaiso Merval, known simply as the Merval, is a vibrant lifeline for its city, carrying around 550,000 passengers a day. Unlike some metros, it doesn’t run 24 hours a day. It operates between 6.30am and 8.30pm from Monday to Friday. The metro doesn’t have luxuries like air conditioning or walkways between platforms. There are also no screen doors on the platforms and it doesn’t use driverless trains.

Fares are paid at the gates using a smart card system. The cost of a trip can range from 410 to 864 Chilean pesos, depending on the length and time of the journey. The metro is operated by Metro Regional de Valparaíso S.A.

The Valparaiso Merval map is a representation of a mass transit system commonly known as “Merval”. This system is widely used, with a daily passenger count of 550,000. Payment methods include traditional gates and the use of a smart card.

Unfortunately, the system doesn’t operate 24 hours a day and doesn’t offer certain amenities such as air conditioning, the ability to walk between platforms, screen doors on platforms or driverless trains.

The system is operated by Metro Regional de Valparaíso S.A. Weekday hours are 6:30am to 8:30pm. Fares vary from 410 to 864 Chilean pesos.

Valparaiso Metro Map

Map of Valparaiso Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Valparaiso Metro map in PDF format.

Metro Valparaiso: Stations, Lines, and Zones

The Valparaiso Metro is divided into nine different sections, with a single line covering 43 kilometres. The various stations along this line include Harbour, Bellavista, France, Baron, Portales, Valencia, Quilpué, The Sun, The Bellotto, Recreation, Miramar, Viña del Mar, Hospital, Chorrillos, El Salto, Limache, Las Americas, Concepcion, Villa Alemana, Sargento Aldea and Penablanca. However, in 2001 some stations such as Laboral, Valencia, German School and Rumi were closed due to insufficient patronage. The total journey time on the metro is 55 minutes.

The division of the metro into sections is as follows:

Section 1: Puerto, Bellavista, Francia, Barón, Portales
Section 2: Recreation, Miramar, Viña del Mar, Hospital, Chorrillos, El Salto
Section 3: Quilpué, The Sun, The Bellotto
Section 4: Las Americas, Concepcion, Villa Alemana, Sargento Aldea, Peñablanca
Section 5: Limache
Section 6: Quillota
Section 7: Old Limache
Section 8: La Calera, La Cruz
Section 9: Olmué

Service Timings and Frequency

The Valparaiso metro operates according to different timetables, which also determine the price of the journey:

Off-peak hours: Monday to Friday (06:00-06:30, 10:00-17:00, 20:30-23:30). Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are always considered off-peak.
Regular hours: Monday to Friday (06:30-07:00, 09:00-10:00, 17:00-17:30, 19:30-20:30).
Peak hours: Monday to Friday (07:00-9:00 and 17:30-19:30).

The frequency of metro services varies during the week. During rush hours, there’s a service every 6 minutes on the Puerto-Sargento Aldea line and every 12 minutes on the Puerto-Limache line. During off-peak hours, the frequency on the Puerto-Limache route is every 12 minutes.

On Saturdays, the frequency on the Port-Limache line is every 12 minutes. On Sundays and public holidays, the frequency is the same during normal hours, otherwise it is every 18 minutes.

Fares and Cards

The fare structure on the Valparaiso Metro (Merval) depends on variables such as the distance travelled, the time of day (rush hour or off-peak) and the day of the week (weekday, weekend or holiday). Interestingly, children’s fares are not based on age, as in many systems, but on height. Children above a certain height (turnstile height) must pay a fare.

Metroval card

The only method of payment on the Valparaiso Metro is the Metroval Card, which costs $1,350. This card is rechargeable and can be personalised. Personalised cards can only be used by the cardholder. A notable advantage of these cards is that they can be blocked if lost or stolen, ensuring that the balance on the card remains intact. The cost of personalisation is $5,000. The Metroval card can be topped up with cash or “Redcompra” and is valid for both metro and bus travel.

Tourist/Day Card

This is a card that allows unlimited use of the Metro for 24 hours. It costs $2,360 for a regular Metroval card holder. If travelling in a group, the card can also be used for unlimited travel for one day. However, only one day pass can be loaded onto a card at a time. This means that if the same card is used for multiple users, the fare will be deducted from the balance after the first validation.

Annual card

This card is valid for 365 days and is priced at $287,000. It is a personalised Metroval card, which means it can only be used by its owner.

Student discount

The Metroval Estudiante Media and Superior cards offer students discounts of up to 66%, while the basic Metroval Student card offers discounts of up to 100%. These cards cost $5,000 and are valid for one year. The renewal cost for these cards is $3,000. As Metroval cards are personalised, they are not transferable. Additional discounts or promotions cannot be applied to these cards.

Senior citizens

The Adulto Mayor card offers a 50% discount to people over the age of 60. The price of the card is $5,000 and the annual renewal fee is $3,000. As a personalised card, it is non-transferable and does not allow the use of additional discounts or promotions.

Disabled

The Discapacitado card, for people with disabilities, offers a 50% discount. The card costs $5,000 and has an annual renewal fee of $3,000. As with other personalised cards, it is non-transferable and cannot be used for other discounts or promotions.

Fines

The fine for travelling without a ticket is $1,623.

Interesting Facts

Valparaiso Metro passengers can take bicycles on board during weekends and holidays with a special Metrobici card, which costs $5,000.

Each car can accommodate up to four bicycles. Stations where bikes are allowed include Puerto, France, Portales, Miramar, Hospital, El Salto, El Sol, La Conception, Sergeant Village and Limache.