San Juan Tren Urbano — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Tren Urbano in San Juan, a major transport system, connects the inhabitants of San Juan, Bayamón and Guaynabo via a light rail system in Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island. Spanning 17.52 kilometres (10.7 miles) and connecting 16 stations on a single track, this railway system varies in its infrastructure, with most stations being elevated, some at ground level and others underground. The standard fare is US$1.50. The Tren Urbano is integrated with other modes of urban transport, such as road and sea systems. Despite plans for expansion, construction has not yet begun. Trains run between 5.50am and 11.30pm with an average frequency of 12 minutes on weekdays and 16 minutes on weekends.

The Tren Urbano, also known as the San Juan Metro, carries around 40,000 passengers a day. It does not operate 24 hours a day, but only from 5.30am to 11.30pm.

The trains have no air conditioning and passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms. The trains are not driverless and the platforms do not have screen doors.

The system is operated by Alternativa de Transporte Integrado (ATI) and Siemens AG. Metro trains run at an average speed of 33km/h and can reach a maximum speed of 100km/h. The fare for a trip on the Tren Urbano is $1.5.

San Juan Metro Map

Map of San Juan Tren showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the San Juan Metro map in PDF format.

Puerto Rico’s Railways: A Glimpse into San Juan

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. With a population of around 450,000 according to the 2010 census, it is the most populous city on the island. Bayamón and Guaynabo, two other bustling cities linked by the Tren Urbano, also contribute significantly to the island’s population.

Known worldwide for its festive atmosphere, San Juan, a city enriched by the Caribbean Sea, attracts a global influx of tourists. The city’s colonial past and its important role in American history are additional attractions. One of the main points of interest is Old San Juan, home to the colonial forts that have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The single line of the Tren Urbano is 17.52 kilometres (10.7 miles) long. The system has 16 stations, ten of which are elevated, four at ground level and two underground. The German company Siemens manufactured the system’s 74 stainless steel carriages. Each car holds up to 180 passengers: 72 seated and 108 standing. The network reportedly operates 15 trains, powered by alternating current. Despite a daily passenger count of around 40,000, it is operating below capacity, prompting discussions about expansion.

Brief Historical Overview

Railways in Puerto Rico date back to the late 19th century when the island was a Spanish colony. A loop railway was built around the island. However, with US colonisation, American automobile companies dominated the transport market, and the development of the railway was stalled. The growth of urban areas, spurred by the development of highways, necessitated public transport plans to alleviate congestion.

While the first proposal for a light rail system in San Juan was made in 1967, it was not until 1989 that the idea was officially adopted and then funded in 1993. Although the project was plagued by delays and budget shortfalls, it eventually came to fruition. The Tren Urbano de San Juan was inaugurated on 17 December 2004 and provided free services for six months.

Lines and Stations

A distinctive feature of Tren Urbano stations is the absence of doors separating the platforms from the tunnels. Most of the stations have lifts, are wheelchair accessible and offer a constant Wi-Fi connection. The entire journey from Bayamón to Sagrado Corazón takes about 30 minutes by train.

The 16 stations are distributed as follows: in the municipality of Bayamón there are Bayamón (elevated), Deportivo (elevated) and Jardines (ground level) stations. Torrimar station (at ground level) is in the municipality of Guaynabo. The line then extends to the municipality of San Juan, where the stations are Martínez Nadal (ground level), Las Lomas (elevated), San Francisco (elevated), Centro Médico (ground level), Cupey (elevated), Río Piedras (underground), Universidad (underground), Piñero (elevated), Domenech (elevated), Roosevelt (elevated), Hato Rey (elevated) and Sagrado Corazón (elevated).

Interconnections with Other Systems

Due to its extensive coastline, San Juan’s shipping industry has always been active. Buses are also a common means of transport.

The Tren Urbano of San Juan intersects mainly with the Metro Urbano, a bus rapid transit system that connects the terminal of Bayamón Station with the city of Toa Baja, covering a distance of 16.5 kilometres. This system, inaugurated on 16 September 2012, replaced articulated buses with an exclusive lane on the José de Diego Highway (PR-22).

In addition to the Tren Urbano, the Integrated Transport Authority (ATI) works with two other transport systems. One of these is the Cataño Ferry (Lancha de Cataño), which connects the municipality of Cataño with the island of Old San Juan. The ferry leaves every half hour and offers a non-stop service.

The Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) operates the other transport system, which consists of buses that serve the inhabitants of San Juan on 30 routes, including three express routes. Buses run Monday to Friday from 5:00am to 9:00pm on most routes and from 6:00am to 8:00pm on Saturdays and holidays.

Access to the Airport

Although the Tren Urbano doesn’t have a direct service to Luis Muños Marín International Airport (which serves Puerto Rico’s capital), there is an express bus service. The E40 express bus leaves from Piñero station and goes directly to Muñoz Marín Airport via the Mall of San Juan. This means that passengers catching a flight or arriving at the airport can use the Tren Urbano service.

Operation Times and Frequencies

San Juan’s Tren Urbano operates six days a week, 365 days a year, starting at 5:50am and running non-stop until 11:30pm. According to the Integrated Transport Authority (ATI), the trains run every 8 minutes during rush hour and every 16 minutes during off-peak hours.

From 6:20am to 8:20am: 8 minutes
From 8:20am to 4:20pm: 12 minutes
From 4:20pm to 6:00pm: 10 minutes
From 6:00pm to 11:30pm: 16 minutes

On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the train frequency decreases significantly to a 16-minute waiting time.

Fare Structure, Tickets, and Passes

San Juan’s Tren Urbano fares are clearly defined and targeted at specific social groups. The San Juan Integrated Transit Authority (ATI) offers several options for users to purchase tickets.

The regular rate ticket, which costs US$1.50, is the most common way to travel on the Tren Urbano. This ticket allows passengers a two-hour transfer window from their point of entry into the system to a Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) bus. If the selected bus route is the E20, an additional US$0.50 is charged.
Notably, four key community groups enjoy a 50% fare discount. Students, persons aged 60-74, Medicare beneficiaries and persons with disabilities can use Tren Urbano services at a fare of US$0.75.
Persons aged 75 and over and children under six travel free.
Different fares apply depending on the validity period of the ticket. These tickets have a fixed validity period and allow unlimited use of the Tren Urbano and AMA buses. There are four categories of ticket in this category. The first offers unlimited service for one day and costs US$5.00. This extends to a weekly pass for US$15.00, a 30-day pass for US$50.00 and the most comprehensive, a 90-day pass for US$90.00. These passes can be purchased from automated ticket machines throughout the system and can be paid for by cash, debit card or Visa and MasterCard.

Take a Full Ride!

Park and Ride

One of the main advantages of the Tren Urbano is the provision of car parks at the stations, where passengers can leave their cars and continue their journey by train. Eight stations along the route offer a total of 3,106 parking spaces, including Bayamón, Torrimar, Jardines, Martínez Nadal, San Francisco, Sagrado Corazón, Cupey and the Toa Baja Park & Ride, which is linked to the Metro Urbano from Bayamón station.

In addition to car parking, bicycle racks are available to encourage cyclists to travel to the nearest station and complete their journey on the Tren Urbano. Cycle parking is available at Sagrado Corazón, Capetillo, Bayamón, Piñero, Iturregui, Covadonga (Old San Juan) and Martínez Nadal.

Bici-Tren (Bicycle-Train)

As cycling becomes an integral part of 21st century green cities, transport systems that do not accommodate cycling risk becoming unpopular. This can limit the ability of cyclists to plan their journeys or use multiple modes of transport. Aware of this, San Juan’s Tren Urbano offers its users the Bici-Tren pass.

This service simply allows passengers to take their bicycles on the train. To do this, you must apply for a Bici-Pass permit at the Río Piedras station between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Other requirements include attending a course on the rules for taking a bicycle on the train, being over 18 years of age (or having the consent of a parent or guardian) and providing a passport-sized photograph. Users are expected to sign a pledge to abide by the rules.

During peak hours (7:00 to 9:00 and 15:00 to 18:00), two bicycles are allowed per carriage. During normal hours and on weekends and public holidays, up to four bicycles are allowed. Folding bicycles are permitted at all times.

Planned Expansion

There are numerous expansion plans for the Tren Urbano, ranging from the simple addition of new stations within the existing system to more complex projects such as establishing connections with new transport systems covering other parts of the Island of Enchantment.

The Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) is responsible for planning these extensions, which are divided into several phases. Phase 1A, the first phase, includes the extension of two stations from the current Sagrado Corazón station and the construction of two new stations: San Mateo and Minillas.

The future of other Tren Urbano extension projects remains uncertain. One such proposal is to build a new line from the Río Piedras station to the municipality of Carolina. Existing tunnels could be used for this in the future.

Other expansion plans are aimed at the northern part of the city. Initially, the new Minillas station will be connected to a new line linking the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Old San Juan. The San Juan Light Train (Tren Liviano de San Juan), another consolidation project, would link the whole of Old San Juan to the Sagrado Corazón Tren Urbano station and the rest of the city by tram.

Finally, a railway system under construction in the municipality of Caguas will connect to the Tren Urbano, specifically at Cupey station. This would provide a rail link between the city of San Juan and the southern region of the island. There are also plans for trains to connect with the Tren Urbano to link the island’s main population centres.

Useful Advice

Although the operation of the Tren Urbano is very intuitive, it is important to note the opening and closing times, especially the closing at 23:30. After this time, tourists may have to resort to taxis, which can be more expensive than expected.

If you plan to connect to the AMA bus system with a pre-purchased regular fare ticket, be aware of the transit time. The two-hour transfer limit may expire and you will need to purchase a new ticket to enter the system.

Interesting Trivia

San Juan’s Tren Urbano is not only the only transport system of its kind in Puerto Rico, but also the first in the Caribbean.
Many stations are decorated with works of art by local Puerto Rican artists.
Many stations are elevated, making the architecture of the system easy to see.
Passenger numbers and traffic tend to be low, so train frequencies are not high.

Sightseeing from the Tren Urbano

The Tren Urbano de San Juan is a tourist attraction for many visitors. This is not only because of the architectural quality of its stations or the works of art that decorate its walls. The main attraction is the panoramic view of the city from its ten elevated and four ground-level stations. That’s why many tourists recommend taking the train, even if they’re not travelling from one point to another.

From the Tren Urbano you can see many places in the city of San Juan. Some of these are:

The financial district of San Juan (Distrito Financiero de San Juan): From the Hato Rey train station, you’ll soon arrive at the Milla de Oro de San Juan, the heart of San Juan’s financial district. This compact area is home to the island’s main banks and financial groups, with towering buildings that stand out in the midst of the island’s terrain.
José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum (Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot): This popular venue for concerts and events is located near the Hato Rey train station.
University of Puerto Rico (Universidad de Puerto Rico): Near Universidad Station is the largest campus of the University of Puerto Rico, home to many of the island’s student centres. A major attraction is the clock tower designed by architect Rafael Carmoega. Known as La Torre (The Tower), it has become a symbol of the student struggles emanating from this university.
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium (Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel): This football stadium is located near Deportivo station. Although baseball is the most popular sport on the island, football is becoming increasingly popular. Bayamón F.C., the local team, plays at this stadium in the city of Bayamón.
Francisco Oller Museum (Museo Francisco Oller): A short walk from Bayamón station will take you to the political centre of this municipality, characterised by squares and historical sites. One of these is the Francisco Oller Museum, located next to the Plaza de Recreo. Built in 1907, this museum was originally the mayor’s office.