Sao Paulo Metrô (Subway System)

São Paulo's subway system, known as the Metrô, is the method of transportation a tourist is likely to use the most while visiting São Paulo. It is modern, safe, clean and efficient. It has four lines in operation and one under construction. In several stations, Metrô connects to São Paulo's extensive suburban trains network, called CPTM.

    * Line 1 (Blue): The first Metrô line built runs North-South. Transfers are available for the Green and Red and lines and also for CPTM trains. Tietê and Jabaquara bus terminals are also reachable through via Line 1 (Blue).

    * Line 2 (Green): The Green line runs through Ave Paulista ridge, connecting Alto do Ipiranga to Vila Madalena, and also the Blue line.

    * Line 3 (Red): One of São Paulo's busiest lines, it connects the East Side to the West Side. Connections to the Blue line and CPTM trains are available. The Barra Funda bus terminal is on the west end of this line.

    * Line 4 (Yellow, under construction): Scheduled to have the first stations operating in 2010 and fully operating in 2012, the Yellow line will connect the central Luz station to the West side in a route constructed immediately below the Consolação and Rebouças avenues. Connections will be available to the Blue, Green and Red lines and to CPTM trains.

    * Line 5 (Purple): Built for users who need to reach specific places in São Paulo's South Side. Only a short sector of the line is already available, connecting to CPTM trains at Santo Amaro station; the scheduled expansion will make connections to the Blue and Green lines in 2013.

Tickets and Hours of operation

Unless you have a Bilhete Único smart card, the Metrô uses a simple fixed-price ticketing scheme - you can get only one-trip tickets. The single tickets can be bought at the counters or automatic machines, found in every station. Buying multiple tickets will not save you money but will save time locating a vending machine or waiting time which can both be bothersome. Metrô tickets are valid for inter-line changes on the Metrô system.

The Metrô's operating hours are Su-F 4:30AM-midnight (or 1AM Sa), depending on the station, up to 12:40AM. Connections on the Metrô network are guaranteed only for boardings before midnight (1AM Sa), regardless of the station.