Quito Metro (Metro de Quito, MDQ)
It’s been a long time coming, but now, finally, the city of Quito has a shiny new underground Metro system to call its own. For cheap, fast, and convenient travel, Quito Metro is the way to go!
Spanning the city from north to south, the Quito Metro line makes handy stops at different tourist areas of the city, as well as covering residential areas, and Quito’s main bus terminal. So, why not skip Quito’s famous traffic, and try out the city’s trendiest and swankiest public transport choice?
Keep reading for everything you need to know about using Quito Metro to explore the city. We’ll include details about Quito Metro stations, how to buy Metro tickets and much more.
Quito Metro Map
Stretching 22km (14 miles) in length, the Quito Metro operates a single line from north to south.
In total, there are 15 Quito Metro line stations, extending from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north of Quito.
18 trains operate up and down throughout the day. At an average speed of 37 kilometers per hour (23 mph), it takes 34 minutes to travel the entire Quito Metro line.
Interesting Quito Metro Stops For Tourists
From North to South, these are the most useful Metro stops for most tourists visiting Quito city.
1. Iñaquito Station
Located at the intersection of Naciones Unidos and Japon Avenues, Iñaquito is of most interest for its local market.
This is a great spot to browse stalls selling fresh fruit & veg, grains, meat, and even traditional potions for all types of ailments. Personally, I love the colorful fruit stalls. You’ll find a whole range of unusual tropical fruits here, and at great prices that are much cheaper than the supermarkets.
From Iñaquito Metro it’s also just a short walk to Quicentro Shopping Mall and the north side of La Carolina Park.
2. La Carolina Metro Station
The La Carolina Metro stop (on Republica and Eloy Alfaro streets) drops you to the south side of Quito’s popular Carolina Park. Weekends at the park are bustling with families and sports teams, while midweek you’ll likely have sections of it all to yourself.
Carolina Park’s most famous tourist site is the excellent Quito Botanical Garden, perfect for a relaxing stroll, or to browse the blooms in their temperate orchid house.
From La Carolina Metro you’re also just a stone’s throw from El Jardin Shopping Mall.
3. El Ejido Station
El Ejido stop is at the cross-section of 6-de-Diciembre and La Patria streets. El Ejido Park is right on the station’s doorstep, as is the Casa de la Cultura Museum and Events Center.
This stop is also handy for souvenir & gift shopping at the nearby La Mariscal Handicrafts Market.
El Ejido Metro stop handily connects with the overground Quito Trole System, linking travelers with other diverse regions of Quito city.
4. Alameda Metro Station
The next Metro stop along El Ejido is Alameda, located at Avenue Gran Colombia & Sodiro. Alameda is home to another peaceful Quito park (of the same name) and also connects with Quito’s Ecovia Public Transport System.
5. San Francisco Station
At the corner of Sucre and Benalcazar streets, the San Francisco Metro Station is the stop to use for visitors to Quito’s historic old town.
Plan to spend half a day or more exploring the cobbled streets, plazas, and churches of this splendid UNESCO heritage area.
6. Quitumbe Metro Station
Last but not least, Quitumbe station is the final stop south on Quito’s Metro Line. For tourists heading out of town to explore more of Ecuador, jump off here for Quito’s Quitumbe Bus Terminal.
How To Buy Quito Metro Tickets?
It’s quick, easy, and cheap to buy tickets to ride Quito’s Metro. What’s more, there are flexible ways to buy tickets online, via phone App, or in person.
For Foreign Visitors:
The easiest way for tourists to buy Quito Metro tickets is directly at the station, using either the ticket booth or electronic ticket machines.
The current Quito Metro prices are a real bargain, although they are subject to increase after an introductory period.
For a fee of just 45 cents per person, one can make a single trip on Quito’s Metro. This fee is fixed, irrespective of how many stations you plan to travel.
Kids and teenagers up to 17 years, as well as those over 65 only pay half-fare, that is 22 cents per person. There’s also a preferential rate for people with disabilities of just 10 cents.
At some stations, it’s also possible to connect to the Quito Metro Bus system. In this case, you’ll pay 60 cents for the whole journey, including the Metro train and bus.
For Ecuadorian residents:
For residents and frequent metro users, there are even easier ways to prepay your tickets and skip queues at the station.
Just open a Quito City Account, and collect your reusable Metro card from the station. Then download the Metro de Quito app to your phone and charge the card as you go. Nothing could be easier.
It’s also possible to charge money directly to your Ecuadorian Cedula ID card, generate a QR code, or pay via Banco Pichincha or the Deuna App.
Quito Metro Operating Hours
Quito’s Metro runs conveniently 7 days a week, from early morning to late at night.
- Day of the Week Operation Hours
- Monday to Friday 05:30 - 23:00
- Saturday 07:00 - 23:00
- Sunday 07:00 - 22:00
Bicycles + Scooters are only permitted aboard trains from 10:00-16:00
Operating hours can vary, so we recommend checking the MetroQuito Instagram page for the most up-to-date information.
Safety on Metro de Quito
It’s no secret that some Metro systems around the world face crime issues, from pick-pockets to more serious misdemeanors.
The good news is that the Quito Metro System has a heavy focus on user safety and security. Each station is supervised by military and policemen, as well as monitored by security cameras. Also, carriages are rarely full even at peak times, which makes the job much harder for potential pick-pockets.
So, for now, Quito’s Metro is a very safe ride. It certainly compares favorably to Quito’s buses, Trole System, and Ecovia, as well as other Metro systems around the world.
Fun Facts About Quito Metro
- The Metro de Quito is 100% electric, helping to reduce emissions and contamination in the city.
- While digging the metro tunnels at San Francisco Plaza in Quito’s old town, construction workers were surprised to find archaeological remains. To respect these remains, and leave them undisturbed, the planned Metro Station had to be moved two blocks further south to the Plaza 24th of May.
- The construction phase of Quito Metro lasted an incredible 11 years (from 2012 to 2023), spanning 5 different city mayors. In truth, there were many challenging moments when Quiteños doubted that their Metro system would ever be completed.
- Quito’s Metro was (finally) officially inaugurated on 21st December 2022, but even then, commercial operation with passengers did not fully begin until 1 year later in December 2023.
- There is talk of a future Metro extension being built as far as Calderon, and further north to Ofelia Bus Terminal. But, let’s not get too excited just yet … these plans could easily take another 11 years to realize, or may never even see the light of day.
Finishing on a more embarrassing note, I don’t think I can end this blog without telling you about my own unfortunate Metro notoriety. Back in May 2021, during the pandemic, I was asked to make a brief publicity appearance on behalf of Quito’s Metro, to drum up positivity for the long-delayed and much-maligned Metro project. Having nothing better to do at that time I naturally jumped at the chance.
For my 3 seconds of fame, I was asked to read out just one simple line: “99% of Quito’s Metro is ready”. What could possibly go wrong?
Let’s just say that the last “1%” of Quito’s Metro ended up taking 18 more months to complete! Friends and colleagues have truly not let me hear the last of it.
To top it off, not long after the publicity was aired on TV, Quito’s Mayor at the time was processed by courts on corruption charges, and I was never paid a cent for my (ahem) fine acting services.
If you’re prepared for a laugh, judge for yourself. Here is the Ad in all its glory … just remember, please don’t shoot the messenger.
In conclusion, the new Quito Metro System is a long-awaited addition to Quito’s transport network. For quick, safe, & cheap travel from North to South in the city there is no better choice.
For tourists, the Metro is perfect for visits to La Carolina or Quito’s colonial old town, as well as offering smooth access to Quitumbe Bus Terminal.
So, take a ride on Quito’s latest attraction for yourself, & do let us know what you think. How does Quito’s Metro compare to other systems around the world?
Contact Happy Gringo for a free tour quote – We specialize in custom-made trips right across Ecuador, Galapagos, and the Amazon. We’ll be happy to include an unforgettable trip to Quito City in a vacation itinerary for you.
