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

Lima Metro Information

The Lima Metro, known to Lima residents as El Tren Electrico, is an urban rail network that connects the central districts of the Peruvian capital with the southern suburbs. Although it was first planned in 1980, numerous political issues delayed work and the service did not become fully operational until 2011. The twenty-two-kilometre main line runs through sixteen stations, although there are plans to extend the network.

Lima’s metro, also known as the Tren Urbano, is an integral part of the city’s transport system. However, it does not provide a 24-hour service. Instead, it operates from 10:30 to 21:00 (M-D).

Unfortunately, the Tren Urbano has no air conditioning and does not allow passengers to walk between platforms. It also has no driverless trains and no screen doors on the platforms.

The fare for a trip on the Tren Urbano is a reasonable 1.5 soles.

Lima Metro Map

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

Line and Stations

The Lima Metro currently operates only one commercial line, with 35 kilometres of track and 26 stations. This line runs from the northeast to the south of Lima, passing through 11 districts. Trains run at ground level in the southern part of the city, but switch to elevated tracks when they reach the city centre and head north. On average, the trains take about an hour to cover the 35-kilometre route.

The stations on the system are as follows:

Villa El Salvador Station: This is the southern terminus of the line, located between Juan Velasco Alvarado Avenue and Separadora Industrial Avenue, near Villa El Salvador.
Parque Industrial station: One of the few stations completed in the 1990s, located in the Villa El Salvador neighbourhood, between Separadora Industrial Avenue and El Sol Avenue.
Pumacahua Station: Similar to the previous station, it was inaugurated in the 90s in the Villa El Salvador neighbourhood. It is located on La Unión Avenue, at the intersection of Pedro Ruiz Gallo and E. Aguirre streets.
Villa María Station: Built to serve a residential area in the Villa María del Triunfo neighbourhood, it is located on Pachacútec Avenue, near the intersection with Santa Rosa Avenue.
María Auxiliadora Station: Also located in a residential area of the Villa María del Triunfo neighbourhood, on Pachacútec Avenue, near the intersection with Manco Cápac Avenue.
San Juan Station: Built to serve the nearby residential areas in the San Juan de Miraflores district, it is located on Los Heroes Avenue, at the intersection with Canevaro Avenue.
Atocongo Station: Similar to the previous station, it is located in the San Juan de Miraflores district, specifically on Los Heroes Avenue, near the road that connects to the Panamericana Sur highway.
Jorge Chávez Station: Inaugurated in 2011 in the Surco district, it is located at the intersection of Tomas Marsano and Jorge Chávez avenues and serves a densely populated residential area.
Ayacucho Station: Also in the Surco district, but in a more commercial area, it is located on Tomas Marsano Avenue, at the intersection with Ayacucho Avenue.
Los Cabitos Train Station: Located near the Santiago de Surco neighbourhood, on Avenida Aviación, near the Óvalo Los Cabitos neighbourhood.
Angamos Station: Opened in 2011 in the San Borja neighbourhood, on Aviación Avenue, at the intersection with Angamos Avenue.
San Borja Sur Station: Also inaugurated in 2011 in the San Borja neighbourhood, located between Avenida Aviación and Avenida San Borja Sur.
La Cultura Station: Located in a commercial area of the San Borja district, at the intersection of Javier Prado and Aviación avenues, known for its many cultural sites.
Nicolás Arriola Station: Located in the La Victoria district, in a mixed residential and commercial area, on Avenida Aviación, near the Óvalo Nicolás Arriola.
Gamarra Station: Located in a very commercial area of the La Victoria district, at the intersection of Aviación Avenue and Hipólito Unanue Street.
28 de Julio Station: Also in the La Victoria district, on Avenida Aviación, at the intersection with Avenida 28 de Julio.
Miguel Grau Station: Located in the Cercado de Lima district, at the intersection of Nicolás de Ayllón, Aviación and Miguel Grau streets.
El Ángel Train Station: Located in the El Agustino district, on Locumba Avenue, next to the El Ángel cemetery, after which the station is named.
Presbítero Maestro Station: Like the previous one, located in the Cercado de Lima district, specifically on Locumba Avenue, next to the Presbítero Maestro cemetery.
Caja de Agua Station: An elevated station located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, on Próceres de la Independencia Avenue, near the Óvalo Zárate area.
Pirámide Del Sol Station: Located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, at the intersection of Próceres de la Independencia and Pirámide del Sol streets.
Los Jardines Station: Like the previous two, located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, at the intersection of Próceres de la Independencia and Los Jardines streets.
Los Postes Station: Built to serve the inhabitants of the San Juan de Lurigancho neighbourhood, it is located on Próceres de la Independencia Avenue, at the intersection with Los Postes Avenue.
San Carlos Station: An elevated station located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, specifically on Próceres de la Independencia Avenue, at the intersection with El Sol Avenue.
San Martín Station: Another elevated station located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, on Fernando Wiesse Avenue, at the intersection with Canto Rey Avenue.
Santa Rosa station: Like the previous stations, an elevated station in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, located on Fernando Wiesse Avenue, at the intersection with Santa Rosa Avenue.
Bayóvar Station: The terminal station at the northeastern end of the line, located in the San Juan de Lurigancho district, on Fernando Wiesse Avenue, at the intersection with Héroes del Cenepa Avenue.

Schedule

The hours of operation of the Lima Metro are convenient for its users, although it does not operate 24 hours a day. From Monday to Friday, trains start at 6:00 a.m. and run without interruption until 11:00 p.m. On these days, trains arrive every 7 minutes or so. At peak times, however, the interval between trains is reduced to just three minutes.

On Saturdays, the opening and closing times are the same, but the interval between trains changes. Throughout the day, trains arrive at the platforms every 7 minutes, except at peak times when the interval between trains is only 5 minutes.

On Sundays and public holidays, the timetable remains the same as on Saturdays. However, the interval between trains is approximately 10 minutes throughout the day.

Fares and Tickets

The Lima Metro offers two ways to pay for trips on the system. In both cases, passengers must buy a reloadable card, as the metro authorities have decided to stop selling standard tickets.

The types of cards are as follows

Half-Fare Card: As the name suggests, this card offers a 50% discount on the fare. However, this card is not available to everyone. Only primary, secondary, high school and college students or those enrolled in educational institutions recognised by the Ministry of Education can apply for this card.
Adult card: This card allows any passenger to travel on the Lima Metro, as long as they have enough credit on the card. There is no age limit to purchase the Adult Card. However, if you are eligible, it is recommended that you apply for the Half-Fare Card as soon as possible.

Prices

The adult card costs five Peruvian soles (about $1.50 USD), while the half-fare card is free. The adult card costs 1.5 soles (about $0.45 USD) per trip, while students pay only 0.75 soles (about $0.22 USD).

Note: Children under the age of six travel free when accompanied by a legal guardian. Similarly, members of the national police and fire brigade do not have to pay a fare to travel on the system.

The reduced fare for students is not available during school holidays or vacation periods.

Rules

The rules of the Lima Metro are divided into different sections to make them as clear as possible for passengers.

Rules during the Journey

You are not allowed to carry any baggage that may inconvenience other passengers. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a fine.
The Lima Metro authorities prohibit the transport of pets or any other type of animal within the system’s facilities. The only exception to this rule is for properly identified guide dogs.
To make the journey safer and more comfortable for you and other passengers, please carry your backpack in front of you.
Smoking is prohibited in the metro.
When moving on platforms, try to walk on the right side. This helps everyone move more quickly through the stations.
Please note that some seats are reserved for people with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women.

Safety Rules

All passengers must keep a safe distance from the yellow line. If you cross it while waiting for the next train, you may be fined.
You should not carry flammable or potentially dangerous items that could harm other passengers. This includes poisonous substances, dangerous chemicals and fireworks.
Avoid walking on metro platforms. This can lead to unfortunate accidents.
If you have a pushchair, you can either fold it so that it doesn’t disturb other passengers or place it at the end of the first or last carriage.
For your own safety and that of other passengers, do not enter the facilities of the Lima Metro under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Rules of Conduct

It is essential that you follow the instructions of metro staff, especially in emergency situations.
Avoid using multimedia devices without headphones in the carriages of the metro, as this may disturb other passengers and cause them discomfort.
Avoid blocking the doors when they are closing. If a metro staff member sees you doing this, you may be fined.
It is not allowed to lie down on the platforms or stairs of the stations.
Begging is not allowed in the facilities of the Lima Metro.

Fun Facts

Lima’s metro carries 380,000 passengers every day. This figure was originally expected to be reached by 2035, prompting the authorities to urgently expand the system’s capacity.
The system’s Line 1 uses some Italian trains from the 1980s, which have been refurbished and renovated for service. However, the newest trains on the system are of French origin.
The Lima Metro was originally planned as a rapid transit system. However, after the project was relaunched, the authorities decided to redesign it to use heavier trains, as is the case with regular metro services.
The Lima Metro has an art and culture programme that promotes events, works, exhibitions and other artistic displays in the stations with the highest traffic.
Although it is called the Lima Metro, the system also serves other districts outside the Lima metropolitan area, such as the neighbouring municipality of El Callao.

Connection to the Airport

Unfortunately, the Lima Metro does not have a direct connection to Jorge Chavez International Airport, but there are a few alternatives.

The first option is the Airport Express Lima, a bus line equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and USB chargers on the seats. This bus service was introduced a few years ago to make up for the lack of public transport from the city to the country’s main airport. However, this bus line does not stop at any of the metro stations, so you will need to use another form of transport to get to this bus line.

The Airport Express Lima is located in the Miraflores district, in the centre of Lima, which is a reference point in the city due to its commercial and cultural importance. To get there by metro, get off at the nearest stop, which is Angamos. Although it is relatively close, it is not within walking distance. It is therefore advisable to take a taxi for this part of the journey. Other means of transport, such as combis, are not recommended due to the high risk of being mugged.

Once you have reached the district and boarded one of the express bus lines, the journey will only take between 25 and 30 minutes. A single ticket costs $8 USD, while a round-trip ticket costs $16 USD. You can pay for your trip in either Peruvian soles or US dollars.

The journey is the same if you want to go the other way, from the airport to downtown Lima. However, just outside the airport you can find taxi lines and car rental services that can be used as a second or third mode of transport if you don’t want to take the bus. These services are better options than using combis or other means of transport, as the airport is located in one of the most dangerous areas of the Peruvian capital, so it’s important to be careful.

Future Expansions

The Lima Metro has had expansion plans since its inception. The final project calls for a total of six metro lines to be built. As a result, the authorities have consistently invested funds in this endeavour.

In fact, the construction of Line 2 began in 2012, when then-President Hollanta Humala approved the necessary funding. A government agency called Proinversión was tasked with research and all other planning and structural aspects of the project. The aim was to gather all the data needed to attract private companies to support the project. Based on the analysis of the data gathered, the construction of Line 4 was also approved.

Following the approval of the project, the contractor decided to build Line 2 entirely underground. This line will connect the city from east to west and will meet Line 1 at the 28 de Julio station. This line will also have a connection to the Metropolitan Bus Station in Plaza Grau. The same company will also be responsible for the construction of the first 8 kilometres of Line 4. Line 4 will run from the north to the south of the city and will include a stop at the Jorge Chavez International Airport.

At the same time, the national government is studying the construction of Line 3, which, like Lines 1 and 4, will allow trains to travel from the north of the city to the south. The current plan foresees the construction of six commercial lines, to be inaugurated by 2035.

Tourist Attractions

In recent years, Lima has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in South America. For example, near the Canada train station is the popular Reserve Park, also known as the Magic Water Circuit. Here you can enjoy the sight of beautiful fountains that adorn the surroundings. They are especially enchanting at night, when a light show accompanies the water show.

The diversity of the park makes it a place for the whole family and an excellent place for a romantic date. You will need some time to explore it, however, as it covers an area of 8 hectares and attracts a considerable number of visitors.

Another must-see in the city of Lima is the San Juan de Miraflores neighbourhood, which can be reached by getting off at the Maria Auxiliadora station. The main attraction of this area is the variety of bars, restaurants and shops available to local and international visitors. Security is one of the area’s strong points, as it is one of the safest and cleanest areas of the Peruvian capital. Most travel guides recommend a visit to San Juan de Miraflores.