Transport in Caracas - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Getting around

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Bus & tram
Local transport

Bus & tram

Bus

Two kinds of buses operate on Caracas streets: city-run Metrobuses (US$0.30), and privately run carritos, which are slightly more expensive. The latter are generally in worse shape, with blaring radios and beat-up seats, but go to many destinations inaccessible by metro. They can also be useful for a quick hop along the main east–west thoroughfares when you don’t feel like going underground. Route destinations are posted on the windshield. Metrobuses run the same schedule as the metro while carrito lines generally stop running after 9pm.

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Local transport

Metro

The French-built metro system is the major means of getting around Caracas. It’s fast, easy to use, cheap and air-conditioned, and it provides access to most major city attractions.

The metro has four lines, with 48 stations and a total length of more than 50km. The longest line, No 1, goes east–west along the city axis. Line No 2 leads from the center southwest to the distant suburb of Caricuao and the zoo. Line No 3 runs from Plaza Venezuela, past the university and southwest to the La Rinconada horserace track. Line No 4, the newest line, parallels line 1 to the south and links lines 2 and 3. To determine which side of the tracks to use, look for the sign showing the train’s final destination. On line 1, westbound platforms are marked ‘Dirección Propatria,’ eastbound ‘Dirección Palo Grande.’

The system also includes a number of ‘Metrobús’ routes, buses that link some suburbs to metro stations. This means you can easily get to San Bernardino, Prados del Este, El Hatillo and other suburbs that are not reached directly by metro. All of the metro lines and Metrobús routes are marked on the Caracas maps posted in every metro station.

The metro operates daily from 5:30am to 11pm. The trains run every three to five minutes Monday to Friday, less often on weekends. Some exits close early: for example, by 10pm only the westernmost entrance of the Plaza Venezuela station remains usable.

Yellow single-ride tickets cost US$0.25 for a ride of any distance; boletos de ida y vuelta (roundtrip tickets) cost US$0.40. The transfer ticket (boleto integrado) for a combined metro-plus-bus single journey costs US$0.35.

Consider buying the multiabono (US$2), an orange multiple ticket which is valid for 10 metro rides; not only do you save money, but you also avoid the seemingly interminable queues at the ticket booth every time you need to use the metro. A combined metro-plus-bus multiabono costs US$2.75. Multiabono tickets can only be purchased from ticket booths, while single and roundtrip tickets are also available from vending machines.

Put your ticket into the turnstile slot, which opens and flips it back out to you to use again at your destination. Exit turnstiles conveniently display the number of rides left on your multiabono ticket.

The system moves over a million passengers a day but remains safe and orderly. At peak hours, riders queue up along painted lines on the platforms, boarding when it’s their turn. Pickpockets are said to operate in the busier stations; keep your hand on your wallet and stay alert and you’ll be fine.

Taxi

Identifiable by the ‘Taxi’ or ‘Libre’ sign, taxis are unmetered, so always fix the fare before boarding. A daytime taxi ride from Plaza Bolívar to Sabana Grande or Parque Central to Las Mercedes should not cost more than US$7, Sabana Grande to Altamira US$5. Rates increase around 30% after dark.

It is recommended that you use only white cars with yellow plates and preferably those from taxi ranks, of which there are plenty, especially outside shopping malls. Alternatively, request one by calling any of the numerous companies that provide a radio service. Several companies, including Móvil-Enlace (577-3344), service the entire Caracas area around the clock. Other reliable services include Taxitur (794-1264) and Teletaxi (753-4155). Hotels will usually have taxi companies on standby.

Locals advise you not to take ‘pirate taxis’ – usually 1970s-era exhaust-spewing jalopies – though they are cheaper. Another risky but relatively rapid option is to take one of the numerous moto-taxis (motorcycle taxis) that scoot around downtown streets, and often up onto the sidewalks to circumnavigate traffic jams. These are based at canvas-topped stands around the center and Sabana Grande.

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