Already considered one of the best metro systems in the world by CNN , the Metro of São Paulo it is very organized, safe, clean, and practical indeed.
Nowadays, it has 6 lines that cover a large portion of the city and as a tourist, you can get basically anywhere that matters by metro.
If you are coming to São Paulo, probably you’re going to stay in neighborhoods like Jardins, Vila Mariana, Vila Madalena, Pinheiros, Liberdade and Paraíso, that are the most central, and touristic zones of the city.
Taking a metro from or to those places is very easy, so you don’t need to be worried! You’ll feel absolutely comfortable using the metro!
The metro system of São Paulo has 6 main lines and other lines connecting the great São Paulo to towns in the urban region. The Green (Verde) and Blue (Azul) lines are the most central and important ones and probably you’re going to use more those.
The Blue one is the oldest line and connects the southern to the northern. If you stay in neighborhoods such as Vila Mariana, Liberdade and Santana, this is the line you’re going to get every day.
Main stations: Estação da Luz, Estação da Sé (it is both Blue and Red), Paraíso, São Bento and Portuguesa-Tiete.
The Green connects the lowest part of the western region to the lowest eastern, crossing Avenue Paulista. This is the most popular line and most used by those are visiting the city. If you stay at the
neighborhoods Jardins, Vila Madalena and Sumaré, you’re going to take this line.
Main stations: Brigadeiro, Consolação, Vila Madalena and Ana Rosa.
The Red (Vermelha) line is the most crowded one, so it’s good to pay attention to your stuff to avoid thievery at rush hours. This line connects a small part of the northern region, goes to the historical center and connects to a part of the northeastern.
Main stations: Republica (it is both Red and Yellow), Estação da Sé (it is both Blue and Red), and Palmeiras-Barra Funda.
The Yellow (Amarela) line is the most technological, and the Paulistas mock that it is the “richest line”. This one goes to western neighborhoods where you can find a good nightlife.
Main stations: Faria Lima station, República (it is both Red and Yellow) and Fradique Coutinho.
The Lilac (Lilás) one is the newest and connects part of the southern zone like Brooklin and Santo Amaro to the extreme southwestern neighborhoods.
Main stations: Santo Amaro, Brooklin, Moema, Santa Cruz (it is both Blue and Lilac) and Hospital São Paulo.
Opening hours
It can differ from station to station, but the general rule is Sunday-Friday 4:40 am to midnight, Saturday-Sunday 4:40 am-1am.
Rush hour
During the week, from 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm the metro used to be very crowded in all metro lines, so avoid those periods.
Price
For short stays, to traveling by metro, you have to buy the single ticket that allows you to travel regardless of the distance. It is one way ticket, so you buy it at the ticket office for 4,30 BRL and allows you to pass the turnstile once. If you are a student, you can show your international student ID to pay half price.
Get to know São Paulo with Concrete Jungles Free Walking Tours and get to our meeting points by metro, avoid using Uber or Taxi, we walk to reduce the presence of cars in the street :)