🚇 Metro de Medellín
The Metro System
Latin America's cleanest, safest metroMedellín's Metro is the pride of the city — clean, efficient, safe, and incredibly affordable. It includes elevated trains, cable cars (Metrocable) that climb into the hillside comunas, a tram, and buses (Metroplús). It's a symbol of Medellín's transformation and absolutely the best way to get around the city.
Cost per Ride
~$0.70 USD
COP $2,950 (2025)
Operating Hours
Mon-Sat: 4:30am - 11pm
Sunday: 5am - 10pm
Coverage
2 train lines + 6 cable lines
+ tram + Metroplús buses
Daily Riders
1 Million+
Extremely well-maintained
✓ Why Use It
- Incredibly cheap — flat rate anywhere
- Very safe — police presence, cameras
- Clean and well-maintained
- Fast during rush hour (beats traffic)
- Connects to Metrocable for amazing views
- Air conditioned
✗ Limitations
- Doesn't go into El Poblado interior
- Crowded during rush hour (7-9am, 5-7pm)
- Limited late-night service
- Doesn't reach airport directly
- Some areas require bus connections
💡 Pro Tip
Take the Metrocable Line K to Santo Domingo for incredible views of the city — it's basically a tourist attraction that costs $0.70. Then visit Parque Arví via Line L for hiking and nature.
Metro Lines & Map
Line A (Blue) — Main North-South
Niquía ↔ La Estrella. The backbone. Passes through San Antonio (transfer), Poblado station, and Envigado.
Line B (Orange) — East-West
San Antonio ↔ San Javier. Connects downtown to western comunas. Transfer at San Antonio.
Line K (Green) — Metrocable
Acevedo ↔ Santo Domingo. Cable car to hillside comunas. Amazing views. Very safe.
Line J (Brown) — Metrocable
San Javier ↔ La Aurora. Access to Comuna 13 area and western hills.
Line H (Purple) — Metrocable
Oriente ↔ Villa Sierra. Eastern hillside cable car system.
Line M (Pink) — Metrocable
Miraflores ↔ Trece de Noviembre. Newest cable line in eastern comunas.
Tranvía (Tram) — Ayacucho Line
San Antonio ↔ Oriente. Street-level tram through Centro to the east. Connects to Lines H and M.
🎫 Getting a Cívica Card
The Cívica is Medellín's rechargeable transit card. You can pay cash for single rides, but the Cívica is faster and allows free transfers within 100 minutes.
Get Your Card
Buy at any Metro station ticket window. Cost: ~COP $6,000 ($1.50 USD) for the card itself.
Add Money
Recharge at ticket windows, machines, or convenience stores (Éxito, Jumbo, some Oxxos).
Tap & Go
Tap on turnstile sensors. Works on Metro, Metrocable, Tram, and Metroplús buses.
Free Transfers
Transfer between any Metro system modes within 100 minutes for free!
💡 Cívica Tips
- Keep your card — it's reusable and saves time
- Minimum recharge: COP $3,000 (~$0.75)
- Check balance at any turnstile or station
- Card works for multiple people (just tap for each)
- Don't bend or scratch it — chip is sensitive
- Lost card? Balance is lost too — no recovery
- Special "Cívica Personalizada" (registered) available for frequent users
Quick Comparison
| Option | Cost | Safety | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚇 Metro | $0.70/ride | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | Daily commuting, budget travel |
| 🚗 Uber | $3-10/ride | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Door-to-door, night travel, safety |
| 🚙 InDriver | $2-8/ride | ★★★★ | ★★★ | Budget conscious, longer trips |
| 🚕 Taxi | $3-12/ride | ★★★ | ★★★ | Quick street hails, cash only |
| 🛵 Picap | $1-4/ride | ★★ | ★★★★★ | Not recommended |
🚕 Taxis
Yellow Taxis
Traditional option — use carefullyMedellín's yellow taxis are metered and relatively affordable. However, there have been incidents of taxi-related crime against foreigners. If you use taxis, follow safety rules strictly.
Base Fare
COP $5,000
~$1.25 USD (2025)
Per KM
~COP $1,500/km
Meter should always run
Surcharges
Night (8pm-5am): +20%
Sunday/holiday: +20%
🚕 Taxi Safety Rules
1. Use apps (Tappsi, Cabify) instead of street hails when possible
2. If street hailing: only take clearly marked yellow taxis
3. Check that meter is running and starts at base fare
4. Don't take taxis that approach YOU (especially at night)
5. Share plate number with someone before getting in
6. Sit in back seat, keep windows up
7. Have small bills ready — drivers often "don't have change"
✈️ Airport Transport (MDE - José María Córdova)
The international airport is in Rionegro, about 45-60 minutes from Medellín depending on traffic. Here are your options:
💡 Our Recommendation
First visit or arriving at night? Take Uber ($25-35) for peace of mind. Budget traveler in daylight? Colectivo to San Diego + Uber ($7-8 total). The colectivos are safe, just less comfortable.
⚠️ Transport Safety Rules — Don't Skip This
Transport is where most crimes against foreigners happen. These rules exist because people who ignored them had bad experiences.
Always Verify Your Ride
Check plate number, car model, color, AND driver photo before getting in any rideshare. Every single time.
Share Your Trip
Use Uber's "Share Trip" feature. Send a friend your route and ETA. Have someone know where you are.
Uber After Dark
After 10pm, only use Uber. No street taxis, no InDriver, no walking. Non-negotiable.
Never Accept "Helpers"
If someone at the airport offers to "help" with your Uber or carry bags, decline. Scam setup.
Don't Show Your Phone
Never use your phone visibly in a taxi or through open windows. Keep it hidden.
Carry Small Bills
Taxi drivers will claim no change for large bills. Carry COP $10,000 and $20,000 notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uber: Direct, takes 15-25 min depending on traffic, costs $4-7.
For convenience, most expats Uber between these neighborhoods.
Easy: Uber directly to the escalators entrance (tell driver "escaleras eléctricas Comuna 13"). Costs $5-10 from Poblado.
We recommend going with a tour guide for safety and context.