Medellín has excellent public transport: a clean, safe metro with 2 lines, 6 Metrocable cable car lines, a tram and rapid buses, all on one integrated system. For most visitors the metro plus the occasional taxi covers everything; get a Cívica card if you're staying more than a few days, and book taxis by app or phone at night.
The short version
Medellín is easy to get around. The metro is fast, clean and safe, and locals are proud of it; you'll notice how well it's kept. Most of the sights visitors want are near a metro, tram or cable car station, and for everything else taxis are plentiful.
For a typical trip, you'll ride the metro between El Poblado, downtown and the Botanical Garden area, take the Metrocable for views or to reach Parque Arví, ride Line B to Comuna 13 and use taxis at night or for hilly short hops.
The metro
Metro de Medellín has 2 elevated rail lines:
- Line A runs north to south through the valley, from Niquía in Bello to La Estrella, with 21 stations. Stations visitors use most include Parque Berrío and San Antonio (downtown), Universidad (Parque Explora, the Botanical Garden and the Planetarium), Alpujarra and Exposiciones, Industriales (the Museo de Arte Moderno), Poblado and Aguacatala (El Poblado), Envigado and Acevedo (for the Metrocable).
- Line B runs west from San Antonio to San Javier, with 7 stations, including Estadio and Floresta for Laureles and San Javier for Comuna 13.
You change between the 2 lines at San Antonio. Trains are frequent, every few minutes at busy times. Regular hours are about 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Hours are sometimes extended for big events, such as the Feria de las Flores and the December holidays.
Rush hours are very crowded, roughly early morning and late afternoon on weekdays. If you can, travel outside those times, and keep your bag in front of you on packed trains.
Tickets and the Cívica card
You've got 2 ways to pay:
- Single-trip tickets from station ticket offices. Simple for a short stay, but you'll queue each time.
- The Cívica card, a rechargeable smart card you tap at the gates. It's quicker, it's accepted across the integrated system and some transfers only work smoothly with it. The "Cívica Personal" version is registered to your name, so you can recover your balance if you lose it. Ask at a station's customer service point how to get one, and bring your passport.
You can top up the card at ticket offices and at recharge machines found in many stations. Some smaller stations have limited ticket service, which is one more reason to carry a card with credit on it.
A trip on the metro includes transfers to the regular Metrocable lines. The Line L cable car to Parque Arví charges a separate fare.
Metrocable
The city's 6 cable car lines climb the hillsides from metro and tram stations. They're everyday transport for residents and a superb way to see the city. Line K from Acevedo, continuing on Line L to Parque Arví, is the classic ride. Our Metrocable guide covers every line.
The Ayacucho tram
The tram runs from San Antonio east along Avenida Ayacucho to Oriente, with 9 stops. It's handy for the Bicentenario park area and for 2 Metrocable lines, H and M, which leave from its stations. Changing between the metro and the tram involves an extra fare.
Metroplús and buses
Metroplús is a bus rapid transit system with articulated buses on dedicated lanes. It connects with the metro at Industriales and serves areas such as Plaza Mayor. Transfers to the metro are free only with a Cívica card.
The integrated system also includes feeder bus routes, plus thousands of ordinary city buses. Many buses require a Cívica card, and routes can be confusing for newcomers, so most visitors stick to the metro and taxis.
A new line along Carrera 80 on the west side of the city, the Metro de la 80, is in the works.
EnCicla bikes
EnCicla is the city's public bike system. Register on the EnCicla platform, then use a card or the app to unlock a bike at one station and return it at another. Stations typically open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, with shorter hours on weekends. Bikes work best in flat areas like Laureles and along the river; El Poblado is very hilly.
Taxis
Medellín's taxis are yellow and metered. You can hail them in the street, but booking through a taxi company's app, website, phone line or WhatsApp is safer, especially at night, because the trip is recorded. The city tourism office recommends established companies such as Tax Individual, Coopebombas, Flota Bernal, Tax Andaluz and Tax Super.
Make sure the meter is running when you set off. Carry cash in small bills, as drivers often can't change large notes. Some companies also accept bank transfer, QR payments or cards registered in their app.
Ride apps
Uber, Cabify and similar apps are widely used in Medellín, though their legal status in Colombia has long been unclear. In practice they work, but some drivers avoid picking up right outside the airport terminal, bus stations or the busiest tourist spots.
Walking
El Poblado's restaurant streets, Laureles and parts of downtown are pleasant to walk by day. Medellín is hilly, though, and some areas are best avoided on foot after dark. See our safety guide for which areas need care.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Cívica card as a visitor?
Not for a very short stay, as you can buy single tickets. For more than a few days, a Cívica card saves time and makes transfers easier.
What time does the Medellín metro close?
Around 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Hours are sometimes extended for major events.
Are taxis safe in Medellín?
Yes, especially when booked through an app, phone line or WhatsApp. At night, avoid hailing taxis on the street.
Can I use Uber in Medellín?
Ride apps are widely used and generally work, although their legal status in Colombia has long been unclear.
Is the metro safe?
It's busy, clean and well staffed. Watch your belongings in crowded trains and stations, as you would in any city.
