São Paulo Metro 101: watch this if using public transport in SP!
The Metro
- 🚇 A megacity relying on its metro – São Paulo, with 12 million residents in the city and 21 million in the metro area, suffers from severe traffic jams. The metro system is an efficient solution, carrying 4 million passengers daily across 13 lines, though tourists mainly use four: Line 1 (Blue), Line 2 (Green), Line 4 (Purple), and Line 5 (Yellow).
- ⏰ Operating hours and connections – The metro runs from 4:40 AM to midnight, ensuring connections even for late-night travelers. It links to major bus terminals, shopping malls, and both domestic (Congonhas) and international (Guarulhos) airports. For Guarulhos, a train connection costs about R$5 and includes free airport shuttles every 15 minutes.
- 🛒 Convenience and safety – Some stations connect directly to shopping malls, allowing passengers to shop without stepping onto the street. The system is described as safe, fast, cheap, and comfortable, though rush hours should be avoided.
- 💵 Ticketing and cards – A single ticket costs R$5 (as of March 2024). Paper tickets are flimsy and can be ruined by rain, so the Bilhete Fidelidade (Fidelity Card) is recommended. It costs R$2 to issue and offers discounts when buying 8, 20, or 50 trips. The card can be registered for loss recovery, making it the best choice for longer stays.
Insights
- 21 million residents – highlights São Paulo’s massive urban scale and why an efficient metro is essential.
- 4 million daily users – proof of reliability and heavy reliance by locals.
- R$5 per trip – extremely cheap compared to many global metro systems.
- Trains to Guarulhos every hour – practical for tourists and avoids 3-hour road trips.
