When Medellín's metro opened in 1995, the city was still reeling from cartel violence. The sleek new trains weren't just transportation—they were a statement that the city believed in its future. Today, the integrated Metro system—trains, cable cars, buses, and even outdoor escalators—moves over 1 million passengers daily and has become a model studied by urban planners worldwide.
Daily passengers across the Metro system
Colombia's Only Metro
Despite being a country of 52 million people, Colombia has only one metro system, and it's in Medellín—not the capital Bogotá. The metro runs through the Aburrá Valley on two main lines, elevated above city streets. Unlike many urban rail systems, Medellín's metro is remarkably clean and safe, a point of pride for residents who call it "Cultura Metro" (Metro Culture).
Riding the metro, you'll notice something unusual: passengers are orderly, trash is absent, and even during rush hour there's a sense of civic respect. This culture was deliberately cultivated from the system's opening through education campaigns and community engagement. Damaging the metro is considered an offense against the community itself.
The Metrocable Innovation
Medellín's genius innovation wasn't the metro itself—it was connecting hillside neighborhoods via aerial cable cars. The first Metrocable line opened in 2004, connecting the steep comunas of Santo Domingo to the metro system below. What had been an hour-long bus journey became a 10-minute ride with spectacular city views.
The cable cars weren't just about efficiency. Each station became a community hub with libraries, parks, and social services. The investment in hillside neighborhoods—previously ignored by government—transformed both mobility and dignity.
Line J (2008)
Connects to La Aurora. Provides access to Arví Park, a nature reserve, making eco-tourism accessible via public transit.
Line K (2004)
The original Metrocable to Santo Domingo. Cut commute times by 80% and sparked the social urbanism movement.
Line L (2010)
Tourist line to Arví Park through beautiful mountain forest. One of the longest urban cable car lines in the world.
Line H (2016)
Serves Comuna 13, connecting to the famous outdoor escalators. A symbol of the neighborhood's transformation.
The Outdoor Escalators
In 2011, Medellín installed six covered outdoor escalators in Comuna 13, replacing a steep staircase equivalent to a 28-story building. What might seem like a simple convenience was life-changing for residents—especially the elderly—who previously faced exhausting climbs multiple times daily.
The escalators became a tourist attraction and symbol of Medellín's commitment to serving marginalized communities. They're free to use, covered from rain, and integrated into a neighborhood that has transformed from a no-go zone to a vibrant cultural destination.
How to Use the System
- Cívica Card: Reloadable fare card available at any station. Can be shared by group.
- Single fare: Around 2,900 COP (less than $1 USD) for any journey including transfers
- Hours: 4:30 AM to 11 PM (varies by line)
- Free transfers: Between metro, Metrocable, and feeder buses within 100 minutes
💡 Visitor Tips
Take Line L to Arví Park for spectacular views and hiking. Visit during weekday mornings for smaller crowds. The cable car views of the city are Instagram gold. Don't miss riding through Comuna 13 on Line H, then walking back down past the murals and escalators.
A Model for the World
Cities from Caracas to La Paz to Rio de Janeiro have copied Medellín's Metrocable concept. The idea that cable cars—traditionally associated with ski resorts and tourist attractions—could provide serious urban transit to hillside slums has revolutionized how cities think about informal settlements.
For visitors, the metro system offers the best way to explore Medellín safely and affordably while experiencing one of the city's proudest achievements. Every ride is a journey through the city's transformation story.