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

Panamá Metro Information

One of the main components of the National Master Plan of the City of Panama, the Panama Metro has only recently started operations in 2014 and has since become an important means of public transport for the people of Panama. An important factor that led to the construction of the first line was the idea of creating a link between the centre of the city and the district of Los Andes. A second line is currently being built to extend the reach of the metro. The 14 stations it currently serves will soon become 15. It’s a relatively small network, with a line length of just under 16 km and a daily ridership of 180,000 (2015). El Metro de Panama is responsible for the operation of this metro system.

The Panama Metro plays an important role in the city’s transport system, serving 180,000 passengers a day. However, it does not operate 24 hours a day. It operates from 07:00 to 23:00 on weekdays, from 07:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays and from 05:00 to 22:00 on Sundays and holidays.

Information on the presence of air conditioning, the ability to walk between platforms, driverless trains and screen doors on platforms is not specified.

The metro operates at an average speed of 50 km/h and the fare is $0.35 per trip. The entire system is professionally managed by El Metro de Panamá.

Panamá Metro Map

Map of the Panama Metro with many stations.Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Panama Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

The Panama Metro currently operates on a single line that covers a distance of 15.8 kilometres (9.8 miles). At the time of its inauguration, the line extended to 13.7 kilometres (8.5 miles).

The line serves 14 stations and runs from north to south through the city centre.

Operations began on 4 April 2014, with a one-month trial period that included free rides. After that, the line was gradually extended by the Brazilian company Odebrecht and the Spanish company FCC to add new stations until it reached its current length.

Stations

Albrook: Located in the southern part of the city, in the Ancon district, close to the famous Panama Canal. It has been in operation since 2014.
5 de Mayo: Located in the Calidonia neighbourhood, this station also serves the residents of the Santa Ana neighbourhood. It is close to Panama’s Casco Viejo (Old Town) and has been operational since 2014.
Lotería: Located in the Calidonia neighbourhood, near Justo Arosemena Avenue. It began operating on 27 August 2014, four months after the main line began operating.
Santo Tomás: Located in the Calidonia neighbourhood, this station is close to the Santo Tomás Hospital and Cinta Costera (coastal bypass). It has been in operation since 2014.
Iglesia del Carmen: This station is located in the Bella Vista neighbourhood, around Vía España. It is close to Iglesia del Carmen and the city’s banking district. This station began operating in 2014.
Vía Argentina: Located at the intersection of Vía España and Vía Argentina in the Bella Vista neighbourhood, it provides access to Panama City’s banking district and the nearby neighbourhoods of Obarrio and El Cangrejo. It has been in operation since 2014.
Fernández de Córdoba: Located near Vía Fernández de Córdoba in the Vista Hermosa neighbourhood. It is the busiest station in the system and has been in operation since 2014.
El Ingenio: Located at the intersection of Vía Simón Bolívar and La Paz Avenue, in the El Ingenio neighbourhood. It began operating on 8 May 2015.
12 de Octubre: Located at the intersection of Vía Simón Bolívar and 12 de Octubre Avenue, this station serves the residents of the Bethania and Pueblo Nuevo neighbourhoods. It has been in operation since 2014.
Pueblo Nuevo: Located in the Pueblo Nuevo neighbourhood, near Vía Simón Bolívar, this is the least busy station, despite being in one of the busiest areas of the Panamanian capital. It has been in operation since 2014.
San Miguelito: Located at the intersection of Domingo Díaz Avenue, Vía Ricardo J. Alfaro and Vía Simón Bolívar. It has been in operation since 2014.
Pan de Azúcar: Located in the Pan de Azúcar neighbourhood, around Transístmica Avenue. It became operational in 2014.
Los Andes: Located on Transístmica Avenue in the Los Andes neighbourhood. It became operational in 2014.
San Isidro: Located in the northern part of Panama City, in the San Isidro neighbourhood of the San Miguelito district. It has been operational since 15 August 2015.

Operating Hours

The Panama Metro operates from 6:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, regardless of holidays or special celebrations. Trains generally arrive at the platform every 3-8 minutes, depending on the time of day.

During peak morning hours (6:00am to 9:00am) and peak evening hours (5:00pm to 8:00pm), the waiting time between trains is approximately 3-5 minutes. At other times of the day, trains arrive approximately every 5-8 minutes.

Fares

The Panama Metro does not offer subscription-based monthly payment plans. However, there is a standard fare per trip, which must be paid for using a reloadable card known as a Tarjeta Metro.

These cards can be purchased from vending machines located throughout the stations of the system. The cost is USD 2.00 and the card can also be used on the city’s urban bus routes.

Each trip on the metro costs USD 0.35, which is deducted from the Metro Card. Service personnel recommend maintaining a weekly balance of USD 5.00 on the card for ease of travel, although each charge will be for the exact amount of the fare.

The Metro service cannot be accessed without a Metro Card, so it is essential to obtain one. Cards can be purchased or recharged at station vending machines or authorised agents located throughout the city.

Student Fares

All primary and secondary school students are entitled to a 50% discount on Panama Metro fares, which reduces the fare to USD 0.17 per trip. However, only two trips per day are offered at the reduced fare, and the standard fare applies to any additional trips.

To qualify for this benefit, students must be correctly registered in the Transit Authority and Land Transportation database, which is responsible for maintaining information on high school graduates who use the MetroBús.

However, the following restrictions apply to student fares:

Reduced fares are only available between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm, from Monday to Friday.
The reduced fare is not valid during school holidays, public holidays or days of national mourning.
The benefit can only be used twice a day.

The fare for senior citizens, the elderly and the disabled is fixed at USD 0.24 per trip. This fare must be paid with a personalised metro card that identifies the individual as an authorised user.

Requirements for Retired and Elderly Individuals

A copy of both sides of your identity card.
A photocopy of your current Metro or MetroBús card (both sides) in order to retain the existing identification number.
Your home address and local telephone number.
A payment of 4.00 USD for the personalisation of your new card.

Requirements for Disabled Individuals

A copy of the certificate issued by the National Secretary for Disability.
A copy of both sides of your identity card.
A photocopy of your current Metro or MetroBús card (both sides) in order to keep the existing identification number.
A payment of 4.00 USD for the personalisation of your new card.
Your home address and local telephone number.

Important Note: If you are using a discounted card for retired, elderly or disabled persons, always carry your ID with you. Panama Metro authorities may request it for verification.

Regulations

While waiting for the train, stay behind the yellow line to avoid accidents.
Allow passengers to disembark before boarding. This speeds up the process.
Keep to the right when moving through the system. This promotes orderly movement through the stations.
Smoking is not allowed in Panama Metro stations and facilities.
Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed on the system.
It is forbidden to insult, harass or endanger other passengers.
Any attempt to damage the facilities of the system will not be tolerated.
Eating is not permitted on trains or in stations.
Infants must be accompanied by an adult.
Sitting on stairs and leaning against walls is not permitted.
Accessing or attempting to cross the tracks is strictly prohibited.
Access to areas reserved for service personnel is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed on the Panama Metro.
Running is not allowed in stations or on trains.
When listening to music on portable devices, headphones must be used so as not to interfere with the announcements of the train operators.
Pushchairs must be folded when entering the train.
Only use turnstiles with green lights.
It is essential that system equipment is kept clean. Penalties will be imposed on those who fail to do so.

Airport Connection

The Panama Metro does not have direct service to Tocumen International Airport, but there are bus connections. To get to the airport, get off at the Albrook metro station in the southern part of the city. From there, walk a few metres to the Albrook-Bahía E bus stop. Make sure you take the buses on the Tocumen-Corredor Sur-Albrook line as they stop at the terminal area stop.

The journey usually takes between 40 and 45 minutes and costs USD 0.70, which can be paid with a Metro or MetroBús card. There are 11 stops on this line before arriving at the Aeropuerto-I terminal stop.

You can also take the metro from the airport to Panama City. Simply take the Albrook-Bahía E bus, which will take you directly to the Albrook station.

From the Aeropuerto I stop, you can also take the Albrook-Bahía B bus, which stops at the San Miguelito metro station. This second option is slightly cheaper, as the bus fare for this section is only USD 0.25.

There are several options for getting from the airport terminal to the city, including taxis and rental cars to ensure the best possible service.

Connections

The Panama Metro has bus stops near several of its stations. These include the following:

Albrook: Provides access to Albrook-Bahía H, Albrook-Bahía G, Albrook-Bahía B, Albrook-Bahía E and the National Transport Terminal.
5 de Mayo: Provides access to the Marañón, Gimnasio Maranon, Piquera de Buses Balboa & Diablo, El Límite Calidonia and M. Calidonia bus stops.
Iglesia del Carmen: Provides access to the Iglesia del Carmen and Parada Sol de la India bus stops.
Vía Argentina: Provides access to the Calle Ernestina Sucre Tapia and Galerías Obarrio bus stops.
Fernández de Córdoba: Provides access to the Furniture City, Vía España, Furniture City-R, Carrasquilla-I and Vía Fernández de Córdoba/Calle 64 Oeste bus stops.
El Ingenio: Provides access to the Escuela Manuel E. Amador, Parada a Pueblo Nuevo and El Ingenio bus stops.
12 de Octubre: Gives access to the Transístmica and Castilla de Oro bus stops.
Pueblo Nuevo: Provides access to the Calle 81 Oeste-I, Calle 81 Oeste-R, Parada del Cementerio and Parada de Bandag bus stops.
San Miguelito: Provides access to the Machetazo San Miguelito stop.
Pan de Azúcar: Provides access to the Moya, Rodapán and Pan de Azúcar bus stops.
Los Andes: Gives access to the Centro Comercial Los Andes, Piquera de Rutas Interna de Veranillo and Industrias de Buena Voluntad-I bus stops.
San Isidro: Gives access to Entrada Tinajitas, Cruce San Isidro, Parada de la entrada de San Isidro (Poly Clinic), Estación San Isidro R and Parada de Campo Verde (Pozuelo).

Interesting Facts

Of Panama’s 14 metro stations, only 8 are underground. The other 6 are surface stations.
The total length of Line 1 is 16 kilometres (9.95 miles), running from Albrook Station to San Isidro. The journey takes approximately 26 minutes.
Despite its small size, the Panama Metro has a high daily ridership. Between 240,000 and 280,000 passengers use it every day.
Due to the high demand in just the first year of operation, Metro officials found it necessary to purchase an additional 70 cars.
The purchase included an increase in the number of trains from the original 20 to 26. Each train consists of five carriages and can accommodate 1,000 passengers.
Passengers can enjoy mobile connectivity – both voice and data – throughout their journey.

Future Expansions

The Panama Metro project is part of the Panama Metro Master Plan, which is expected to be completed by 2035. This plan provides for the construction of seven additional lines and, when completed, is expected to meet 50% of Panama City’s public transport needs.

The main objective of the project is to create a rapid transit railway system that connects the northern and southern communities of the city with the city centre and other areas. The system is expected to serve over one million passengers per day.

Construction of Line 2 has been underway since 2015 and is expected to take approximately four years. The consortium responsible for the project is the same one that built Line 1, made up of the Spanish company FCC and the Brazilian company Odebrecht. The new line will stretch 21 kilometres from the San Miguelito neighbourhood to the surrounding areas of Nuevo Tocumen.

Tourist Sites

Panama City’s Casco Viejo (Old Town), located near the 5 de Mayo train station, is a must-see. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, this colonial-style area features narrow streets and picturesque plazas. The area is full of local and gourmet restaurants, hotels, plazas and scattered monuments. Casco Viejo comes alive at dusk, bustling with tourists and souvenir vendors. This immersive experience of local culture and traditions is a perfect way to appreciate the essence of Panama.

From Albrook station, tourists can also catch a bus at the Bahía-E stop on the Albrook-Isla Flamenco-Amador route to visit the iconic Biomuseo. The museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions, with a special focus on ecology. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment. With spaces for learning, leisure and observation, the Biomuseo is one of the most interesting places in the country and a must see before leaving.