The Medellín Metrocable is the aerial cable system of the metro: cabins that climb from the stations to the neighborhoods on the slopes and that, by the way, offer some of the best views of the city. For the visitor, it is transport and a walk at the same time, and it costs the same as a subway ride.
In this guide we tell you which lines of the Metrocable are available to tourists, how much the Medellín Metrocable costs, what time it operates, how to get to Parque Arví by Metrocable, and what you can see from the line that runs over Comuna 13.
| Theme | Date | To take into account |
|---|---|---|
| Passage | The same as the metro: about 4,400 COP per trip with the Cívica card | Line L, at Parque Arví, is paid for separately |
| Card | Bearer certificate, about 12,100 COP | It is purchased and recharged at the metro ticket offices |
| More useful lines | K, L and J | The K connects with the L to go up to Arví |
| General schedule | Similar to the metro: from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | Shorter on Sundays and public holidays |
| Schedule of the L Line | Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sundays and holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | It closes on Tuesdays for maintenance. |
| Connection | From the metro stations, without leaving the system | Acevedo (Line A) and San Javier (Line B) are the most used |
Below we explain each point so that you can use it without any complications.
The Metrocable is part of the Medellín Metro system. It was created to connect the downtown area with the neighborhoods built in the mountains, where the metro does not reach. Its first line, the K, began operating in 2004 and connects the Santo Domingo Savio neighborhood with the Acevedo metro station.
It works like an extension of the metro: you get to a connecting station, you follow the corridors without leaving the system, and you get on a car. The cars pass every few seconds, so you almost never have to wait long, except during peak hours.
Please keep in mind that this is the daily transportation for thousands of residents of these neighborhoods. Use it with respect: give up your turn in the rush hour queues and avoid stopping to take photos.
The Metrocable became a symbol of Medellín's transformation. Before its arrival, those living high up on the hills had to spend hours to get to the city center through steep and congested streets. The cable shortened those journeys to minutes and connected those neighborhoods with the rest of the city.
Parks, libraries, and public spaces were built around the stations as part of what in Medellín is known as social urbanism. That is why the Metrocable is being studied as an example in other cities around the world, and for visitors climbing into one of its cabins is also a way of understanding the city’s recent history.
The system has several lines, but these are the ones that are most useful for those visiting the city:
| Line | Itinerary | How to get there | What do you see? |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Acevedo – Santo Domingo Savio | Acevedo Station, Line A of the metro | The barrios of the northeast and the Aburrá Valley from above |
| L | Santo Domingo Savio – Arví | From Line K, in Santo Domingo | Forest and mountain road to Arví Park |
| J | San Javier – La Aurora | San Javier Station, Line B of the metro | The slopes of the west, including part of Comuna 13 |
| H | Oriente – Villa Sierra | Ayacucho Tramway Station Oriente | The eastern center of the city |
The system also has other lines, such as the M and the P, which mainly serve residents of their neighborhoods.
Line K is the most well-known and the best for a first experience. From the cabin you can see how the neighborhoods of the northeastern area stretch up the mountain, with brick houses, terraces, and narrow streets, and as you climb up the view opens up of the Aburrá valley and the Medellín river.
When you reach Santo Domingo Savio, the last station, you will find viewpoints with one of the most extensive panoramic views of the city. There is the building of the Biblioteca España, one of the symbols of the transformation of the area.
If you want to walk around the area, do it during the day near the station, or with a local guide who knows the neighborhood. Many visitors only do the round trip to enjoy the view, or they go straight to Line L and Arví Park.
The Metrocable fare is the same as the metro fare: about 4,400 COP per trip with a Cívica card. If you take the metro and make the connection within the system, the cable is already included in that fare.
To pay you need the Cívica card in person, which costs about 12,100 COP and can be purchased and recharged at the ticket offices at the stations. The same card is valid for the metro, the Metrocable, the tram and the integrated buses.
If this is your first trip, the process is simple:
The bearer card does not have your name on it, so you can share it with another person; however, each person must pass the tourniquet separately and a ticket is deducted for each entry.
The exception is Line L, which goes to Parque Arví. It is a tourist line with its own fare, which is paid separately at the Santo Domingo station: the ticket costs 11,900 COP for nationals and 26,700 COP for foreigners.
If you have never been up there, here is a typical route from the moment you enter the station until you reach the top:
To return, you take the same route in the opposite direction. If you’re going to Parque Arví, remember that in Santo Domingo you have to change lines and pay separately for the section of the L Line.
The lines of the Metrocable operate on a schedule similar to that of the metro, which operates from Monday to Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the schedule may change depending on the line, but you can refer to the schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Line L has a shorter schedule: Monday through Saturday it operates from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It closes on Tuesdays for maintenance. Before boarding Arví, check the Medellín Metro information to ensure it is not closed due to an emergency.
Climbing up Parque Arví is the most popular plan of the Medellín Metrocable, because it combines three routes: the metro, the cable over the neighborhoods, and the cable over the forest. To do this, follow these steps:
In the Arví Park There are trails, green areas and local products stands near the station; some activities have an extra cost. It gets colder up there than in the city, so bring a jacket.
On weekends and holidays, the line for Line L can be long. If you can, try to get on it during the week or early in the morning.
Arví Park is a large natural reserve in the mountains of Santa Elena, east of Medellín. Near the station you’ll find the most visited area, with stalls selling local products, food, and handicrafts, and the starting point for several hiking trails.
The most common plans are to walk along the trails among pine forests and native vegetation, have a picnic in the green areas, observe birds, and buy products from the local farmers.
Some tours require prior reservation and have a cost: between 20,000 and 30,000 COP, depending on whether you are a national or a foreigner. They include professional guide, wildlife interpretation, accident insurance, and pre-hospital care service (APH). These guided tours depart from Wednesday to Monday, every hour, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Calculate at least half a day for the full plan: between 45 minutes and an hour of travel time from the center to Arví, about two or three hours in the park and the return. If you want to do long trails, dedicate the whole day and leave early, because the L Line has limited hours.
The J Line leaves the San Javier station on Line B of the metro and climbs up the slopes of the west to La Aurora. Along the way it passes over part of Comuna 13 and offers a wide view of its neighborhoods and the city.
Attention: the graffiti area and the escalators do not go directly on Line J. To get to the graffiti tour, get off at the San Javier station and take a bus or taxi to the 20 de Julio neighborhood. If you want to learn about its history before going, read our guide here. The history of Comuna 13.
If you prefer to do the entire tour with a local guide, our Comuna 13 tour with Metrocable Includes the cable car ride and the graffiti tour. It takes 5 hours, runs from Monday to Saturday, and costs 105,000 COP per person.
If you have a free morning, this plan combines the views of Line K with a visit to Parque Arví:
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a. m. | Metro from the center or El Poblado to the Acevedo station |
| 9:30 a.m. | K Line of the Metrocable to Santo Domingo Savio |
| 9:45 a.m. | Stop at the Santo Domingo viewpoint and change to Line L |
| 10:15 a.m. | Arví Park arrival: local market and short walk along a path |
| 12:30 p. m. | Lunch in the area of the Arví station |
| 1:30 p. m. | Return by Line L, Line K and metro |
| 2:30 p. m. | Approximate arrival to the city center |
The times are approximate and may be extended due to the queues at Line L on weekends. If you are traveling during the week, please remember that Line L closes on Tuesdays.
The Metrocable is a plan suitable for the whole family. Children usually enjoy it a lot, and the enclosed cabins make the journey safe and comfortable. Travel with children sitting and avoid them climbing on or playing with the doors.
For older adults or people with reduced mobility, the approach can be the most delicate moment, because the cabin moves slowly as you enter. Ask for help from the station staff, who are there to guide users.
If someone feels dizzy, it is advisable to start with a short route, such as Line K, before venturing onto Line L, which goes higher up over the forest.
Using the Metrocable is easy, but some mistakes can waste your time:
The Metrocable goes well with a day out in the city. In our 3-day itinerary in Medellín We show you how to fit it in, and if you prefer to tackle the city in one day, City Plus allows you to do that. Touring Medellín and Comuna 13 in one day on a two-story bus.
Using the Metrocable requires nothing more than a Cívica card with credit and some patience in the queues. In return, it gives you another way to understand Medellín: from above, over the neighborhoods that made it famous for its transformation. And if you prefer to explore it with someone who tells you its history, Turibus will accompany you.
Same as the metro: about 4,400 COP per trip with the Cívica card, and if you come by metro the connection is already included. Line L, to Parque Arví, has a separate fare.
From the Acevedo station, take Line K to Santo Domingo Savio and from there connect with Line L, which goes up to Parque Arví.
It operates on a similar schedule to the metro; it is shorter on Sundays and public holidays. Line L only opens during the day and closes on Tuesdays for maintenance.
Line J runs over part of Comuna 13 and provides a good view, but the graffiti area is walked around on foot. Graffiti tour 13 The Turibus includes the Metrocable and the guided tour with a local guide.
Outside of the morning and afternoon peak hours, and early on weekends, when more visitors come to Parque Arví.
Yes. It is a public transportation system with staff at the stations and closed booths. As in any crowded place, take care of your belongings and, if you walk through the neighborhoods near the stations, do so during the day.
Between 45 minutes and an hour in total: the metro to Acevedo, Line K to Santo Domingo and Line L to Arví, not counting the queues on weekends.
The Medellín Metrocable is the aerial cable system of the metro: cabins that climb from the stations to the neighborhoods on the slopes and that, by the way, offer some of the best views of the city. For the visitor it is transport and a walk at the same time, and it costs nothing.
