When we explore a new city, we prefer trying public transportation to get around. It was not exceptional in Medellin. This city has several modes of public transportation and we thoroughly enjoyed using them and the city's public transportation deserves a separate coverage.
Metro or Light Rail
The backbone of Medellin's public transportation is the metro system. In fact, Medellin is the only city that has this light rail system in Colombia. Even Bogota, the capital, does not have the metro system. Instead, Bogota has a Trans Millenio red bus rapid transit system. Medellin's Metro system is not an underground subway, but a very innovative system along with Metro Cable, as discussed below. There are 4-5 Metro lines and each ride costs COP 2,550 or 75 cents. With the city's green card or Civica, you could ride at a lower cost.
Metro Cable
Medellin's Metro system shines with this Metro Cable or hanging gondolas as part of the public transportation system. It is the city's consideration for the poor who are usually living in the upper parts of the hills. There are 4-5 Metro Cable lines and additional lines are under construction.
Tranvia
We did not have a chance to try the Tranvia or a tram system. There is only one line starting from San Antonio where Metro Line A and B meet.
Uber
Of course, there is Uber, the car hailing company. Unfortunately it is not legal yet because the Yellow Taxis oppose their formal business strongly. But, there are Uber drivers and they operate well.
Yellow Taxi
Yellow Taxis are official public taxis in the city. They are all over and they can be called as well. They are operating on a meter, but they may not be suitable for faint-heart people since they drive pretty wild. We tried once from Publita Paisa to the hotel in Poblado. The driver's estimated cost was pretty much accurate, but his driving was crazy. Obviously we were not the only people who were nervous about his driving. He confidently said, "Don't worry!"
Metro Shuttle
The Metro Lines run in the valleys and Metro Cable Lines cover crowded hills. But, there are a lot of areas that are not covered by either. So each Metro station has the Metro shuttles that are running from the station to the remote neighborhoods. We tried once from Poblado Metro Station to Zona Rosa El Poblado, but we had to wait until the bus is full of people under the sweaty weather. The cost was COP1,200 or COP2,100 depending on the distance of travel.
Bus
Of course, the bus system is the oldest and still prevalent in the entire city. We tried the yellow bus line from Sabaneta to Poblado and it cost us COP2,200. Not bad at all. It passed through Envigado, which we wanted to explore anyway.
All in all, we felt that we could live well without a car in Medellin. Its public transportation system was good enough for us. - Jeffrey
Metro or Light Rail
The backbone of Medellin's public transportation is the metro system. In fact, Medellin is the only city that has this light rail system in Colombia. Even Bogota, the capital, does not have the metro system. Instead, Bogota has a Trans Millenio red bus rapid transit system. Medellin's Metro system is not an underground subway, but a very innovative system along with Metro Cable, as discussed below. There are 4-5 Metro lines and each ride costs COP 2,550 or 75 cents. With the city's green card or Civica, you could ride at a lower cost.
Metro Cable
Medellin's Metro system shines with this Metro Cable or hanging gondolas as part of the public transportation system. It is the city's consideration for the poor who are usually living in the upper parts of the hills. There are 4-5 Metro Cable lines and additional lines are under construction.
Tranvia
We did not have a chance to try the Tranvia or a tram system. There is only one line starting from San Antonio where Metro Line A and B meet.
Uber
Of course, there is Uber, the car hailing company. Unfortunately it is not legal yet because the Yellow Taxis oppose their formal business strongly. But, there are Uber drivers and they operate well.
Yellow Taxi
Yellow Taxis are official public taxis in the city. They are all over and they can be called as well. They are operating on a meter, but they may not be suitable for faint-heart people since they drive pretty wild. We tried once from Publita Paisa to the hotel in Poblado. The driver's estimated cost was pretty much accurate, but his driving was crazy. Obviously we were not the only people who were nervous about his driving. He confidently said, "Don't worry!"
Metro Shuttle
The Metro Lines run in the valleys and Metro Cable Lines cover crowded hills. But, there are a lot of areas that are not covered by either. So each Metro station has the Metro shuttles that are running from the station to the remote neighborhoods. We tried once from Poblado Metro Station to Zona Rosa El Poblado, but we had to wait until the bus is full of people under the sweaty weather. The cost was COP1,200 or COP2,100 depending on the distance of travel.
Bus
Of course, the bus system is the oldest and still prevalent in the entire city. We tried the yellow bus line from Sabaneta to Poblado and it cost us COP2,200. Not bad at all. It passed through Envigado, which we wanted to explore anyway.
All in all, we felt that we could live well without a car in Medellin. Its public transportation system was good enough for us. - Jeffrey
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