Caracas Metro Information
The Caracas Metro is a rapid transit system serving Caracas, Venezuela. The system began operations on 2 January 1983 and currently has 4 lines serving 48 stations. The system is operated by the Compañía Anónima Metro de Caracas. According to 2010 statistics, the metro system had a daily ridership of 2,000,000 passengers.
The Metro de Caracas is a public transport system serving Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. It has an average daily ridership of 2,000,000 passengers. The fare for a trip on the Caracas Metro is 4 Bs.
The Caracas Metro operates daily from 5:30 to 23:00. It does not offer 24-hour service, the ability to walk between platforms, or driverless trains. It does, however, provide air conditioning for its passengers. The system does not have platform doors. Trains on this metro can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
The Caracas metro system is operated by the Compañía Anónima Metro de Caracas.
Caracas Metro Map
Map of Caracas Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Caracas Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The metro system of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, has a total of 52 stations spread over five lines, covering a total distance of 70 km.
- Line 1 runs from the eastern Petare neighbourhood to the western Catia sector, serving the Palo Verde and Propatria stations. This line has a total of 22 stations, covering a distance of 20 km through the city centre. It is the oldest line, completed in 1989, but today it is also the most modern.
- Line 2 was inaugurated in 1987, but only became fully operational in 2006. It has two routes. The first, from Las Adjuntas to the Rental area, has 14 stations over 23.1 km, connecting the municipality of Macarao with the Rental area of Plaza Venezuela. The second line, Zoologico-Silencio, has 11 stations over 18.6 km and connects the Caricuao neighbourhood with the El Silencio urbanisation in the centre of Caracas. Identifying the trains going to one terminal or the other at the intermediate stations can be tricky, as they are rarely labelled. You may have to ask fellow passengers.
- Line 3 was inaugurated in 1995 with five stations and was completed in 2010 with a total of eleven stations. It connects the municipality of Coche with Plaza Venezuela, covering 10.6 km and serving the southern part of the city. It also connects with the Los Valles del Tuy railway at Rinconada station. It is also the line that serves the iconic Ciudad Universitaria, a World Heritage Site belonging to the Central University of Venezuela.
- Line 4 is essentially an extension of Line 2, with only four stations over a distance of 5.5 km. The stations are Teatros, Nuevo Circo, Parque Central and Zona Rental, and they connect with Line 2 at the Capuchinos stop.
- Line 5 is still under construction. However, it was inaugurated in 2015 with a single station called Bello Monte, which connects to Line 4 at the Zona Rental terminal.
Operating Hours
The Caracas Metro operates from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, regardless of holidays.
Fares and Tickets
Tickets for the Caracas Metro are colour-coded and come in both single and combined versions. They can be purchased at ticket counters inside stations or at kiosks bearing the transport company’s logo. The system also offers a “Metro Card”, which can be recharged according to the number of journeys the passenger intends to make. Tickets are categorised as follows
Single: Yellow ticket. Allows for one trip within the system without station or line restrictions. The fare is 4 Bs.
Single Integrated: Also yellow. Offers the same benefits as a normal single ticket, but also allows you to use the same ticket to travel on the MetroBus system. The price of this ticket is 6 Bs.
Return: This ticket allows the user to make two journeys within the Caracas Metro system. Like the single, it is yellow and costs Bs8. It’s recommended for occasional trips where you only need to get on the train once.
Return ticket included: Identical to the previous one. It allows two journeys with no station restrictions or transfers within the system, and allows you to use the MetroBus system with two journeys. It costs 12 baht.
MultiAbono: orange in colour. Recommended for regular MetroBus users: it allows ten journeys without station restrictions or transfers. The ticket costs 36 baht.
Integrated MultiAbono: also orange. It allows ten journeys with no station or transfer restrictions in the system and includes ten MetroBus journeys. It costs 54 baht.
MetroCard: Red in colour with the logo of the transport company. It can be recharged for 20, 30 or 40 journeys. It costs 78 baht for 20 journeys, 108 baht for 30 journeys and 144 baht for 40 journeys. The card can be recharged at ticket offices or electronic ticket machines across the metro network.
Integrated MetroCard: identical to the regular MetroCard, also red in colour, with the same number of trips, but with additional transport on the MetroBus. The fare is 108 baht for 20 journeys, 162 baht for 30 journeys and 216 baht for 40 journeys.
Students: Students at all levels up to undergraduate level can use Simple and Simple Integrated student tickets, which allow ten journeys at Bs 0.9 per trip. They are blue in colour and are usually sold in packs of five or six. The integrated version costs Bs 1.2 per trip, including MetroBus and MetroBus rides.
Pensioners and people with disabilities: women over 55 and men over 60 can use the metro and MetroBus for free. In addition, these groups are assisted by Metro staff, who are authorised to provide any assistance needed by users.
Connections to the Caracas Metro
The Caracas Metro is connected to other complementary transport systems, and some stations connect all lines. The main hub is at the Plaza Venezuela terminal on Line 1, where it connects to Lines 2, 3 and 4. Similarly, at the eastern end of Line 1, at the Petare station, the metro connects to the CableTren, which serves several neighbourhoods in the Petare area.
Line 2 connects to the Los Teques metro system at the Las Adjuntas terminus. This system serves the city of the same name. Line 3 connects to the Los Valles del Tuy system at La Rinconada station, which serves the towns of Charallave and Cua on the outskirts of the capital.
Line 4 connects to MetroCable at Parque Central station. This is the cable car system that serves the San Agustin district. In addition, all the MetroBus lines that serve neighbourhoods near the stations complement the Caracas Metro.
Legal requirements
Conditions of use
Anyone over the age of four must purchase a ticket to travel on underground and surface transport.
Carrying bags or packages must not obstruct the free movement of other passengers.
Pets are not allowed in the facilities of the Caracas Metro. An exception is made for guide animals that assist people with disabilities.
Passengers carrying a bag or backpack must place it next to them when boarding the train.
Blue seats and preferential areas are reserved for people with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly.
Safety rules
Passengers must keep a reasonable distance from the yellow line on platforms. They must not cross it until the train has come to a complete stop.
Smoking is strictly forbidden, as is the carrying of flammable materials, dangerous chemicals and pyrotechnic products on Metro premises.
Persons under the influence of alcohol, drugs or hallucinogens will be refused access to facilities and services.
Except in cases of immediate danger, running through Metro stations, platforms and trains is prohibited.
Passengers with young children should fold their prams before boarding. Failure to do so may result in a warning.
Driving rules
Passengers must keep to the right when moving. When standing, passengers should move to the side so as not to obstruct the movement of others.
Always obey signs at turnstiles, escalators and pedestrian crossings. They should only be used when they have a green light.
Rules of behaviour
In an emergency, follow the instructions and orders of the staff. Pay attention to signs in stations and on trains.
The use of personal music players without headphones is prohibited as it causes discomfort to other passengers and interferes with the transmission of announcements over the train’s hands-free system.
Do not obstruct the closing of doors. Such behaviour may cause delays in the operation of the system.
Do not sit on floors, stairs or lean against walls in stations or on trains.
Do not distract system operators.
Begging and hawking are prohibited in metro stations and trains.
Durability rules
Metro tickets must be kept in good condition.
If you feel threatened or have an emergency, do not hesitate to contact the attendants or security staff. They are trained to provide any assistance you may need.
Safety equipment such as alarms, fire extinguishers or hoses should only be used in a genuine emergency. Improper use of these devices will result in a warning.
Hygiene and cleaning standards
- Avoid littering in the facilities of the Caracas Metro.
- Eating and drinking are prohibited in the stations and trains of the system.
- Intentional damage to equipment will result in a warning.
- Do not put your feet on train seats.
Bicycle transport
Bicycles may only be transported within the system on Sundays between 5.30am and 1.00pm.
Minors using bicycles must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
There is a limit of one bicycle per person.
In the event of an emergency, operations staff reserve the right to refuse access to bicycles.
Bicycles can only be accommodated in the last car on each train.
Bicycle users/owners are responsible for their bicycles and any damage they may cause on the premises.
Tips for using the system
- Carry cash when using the Caracas metro system, as credit and debit cards are not accepted at ticket machines.
- Refrain from carrying obviously expensive items to ensure your personal safety.
- Prior permission is required to take photographs in the system; unauthorised photography is frowned upon.
- Limit the use of expensive electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops indoors for your own safety.
- Follow Metro’s social media pages, especially Twitter, to keep up to date with station closures and special events.
Maiquetia and Caracas Metro Airport
There is no direct connection between Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport and the Caracas Metro, including the MetroBus service. However, if you want to get to the airport by metro, take line 1 to Gato Negro station. From there, taxis to Maiquetia are available at the departures terminal. It is important to note that the airport is not located in Caracas itself, but in the satellite city of La Guaira, so additional transportation will be required to complete the journey. The fare is negotiated directly with the taxi driver upon boarding. There is no other public transport to the airport.
Upcoming extensions
There are plans to extend Line 5, the first station of which will open in 2015, by a further 13 kilometres. The terminus of this line will connect to the Guarenas-Guatire metro system, which is currently under construction, linking these satellite towns to the Caribbean capital.
Line 6 is in the planning stage and will consist of two stations linking the Zoologico station on Line 2 with the La Rinconada station on Line 3. This will allow passengers to reach stations on Line 2 without having to change to Line 1. There are also plans to extend the Caracas metro to the El Atillo and Prados del Este sectors in the south of the city, but studies have not yet begun.
Attractions near the Metro
- The university city of Caracas, which includes the campus of the Central University of Venezuela, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. This vibrant cultural centre attracts students, scholars and visitors with its myriad artistic and cultural offerings. The Aula Magna (Main Classroom) is an iconic landmark that hosts numerous theatre performances throughout the year.
- The Olympic Stadium, another key feature of the campus, hosts exciting national football matches and South American qualifiers, while the equally important University Stadium is a hotspot for the nation’s favourite sport, baseball.
- For plant lovers, there is a botanical garden on campus that is open to the public. To visit the Universidad Central de Venezuela, take the Caracas 3 metro line and get off at the Ciudad Universitaria station, which is just across the street from the university entrance.
- Be sure to visit Caracas’ famous Sabana Grande Boulevard, which can be reached via the pedestrian walkway from Plaza Venezuela, Sabana Grande and Chacaito stations on Line 1. The boulevard offers a rich experience with its sculptures, street artist performances, restaurants, shopping centres and shops for various leisure activities. Recently renovated, it is the perfect place to spend a day in Caracas.