Public transport in Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Overview

Metrorrey, officially the Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metrorrey, is a modern rapid transit system serving the metropolitan area of Monterrey. As of 2024, it operates 50 high-floor electric trains along 3 lines, serving 40 stations across a 40-kilometer (25-mile) network. The system is grade-separated (fully separated from street traffic) and operates mostly on elevated viaducts, making it fast and reliable for crossing the city. To ride, you purchase a fare (either a single trip or an integrated pass) using one of several payment methods, board at your starting station, and travel to your destination with free transfers allowed within the system for a set period.

The network

Metrorrey comprises three operational lines, each identified by a number and color. The system combines light rail vehicles with metro-like operations—high-floor articulated trains on fully grade-separated, exclusive right-of-way.

Line 1

Line 1, the system's original line, opened on 25 April 1991 and remains the backbone of the network. It has 19 stations and runs 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles) from the north-west to the eastern part of the metropolitan area, passing through the city center. The line runs on an elevated structure parallel to the historic 1887 Topo Chico tramline. A complete journey on Line 1 takes approximately 27 minutes.

Line 2

Line 2 has 13 stations and extends 13 kilometers (8.1 miles). The initial 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) underground segment opened on 30 November 1994 with 6 stations and provides a transfer to Line 1 at Cuauhtémoc station. Between 2007 and 2008, two expansion phases added 7 more stations: a 3.2-kilometer (2.0-mile) phase opened on 31 October 2007, and a 5.3-kilometer (3.3-mile) elevated section along Universidad avenue opened on 9 October 2008. Line 2 runs from the center of the city towards the north, combining underground and elevated sections.

Line 3

Line 3 is the newest line, opening on 27 February 2021. It has 8 stations and spans 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles), running mostly on an elevated structure with its southern end connecting to Line 2 at Zaragoza station. Lines 2 and 3 are operated jointly.

Operating hours

On all three lines, the first train departs each terminus station at 5:00 a.m. and the last train leaves at 11:30 p.m., with stations remaining open until midnight. Stations open at 4:45 a.m. On Christmas Eve and New Years' Eve, services end at 11:00 p.m., and on Christmas and New Years' Day, services begin at 7:00 a.m. During major events at Fundidora Park (such as the Pal Norte festival), stations Y Griega and Parque Fundidora remain open until 3:00 a.m. for disembarking passengers.

Bus systems integrated with Metrorrey

TransMetro: A bus system with integrated fares that allow transfers to and from Metrorrey. TransMetro routes typically serve Metrorrey stations: eleven routes start at Line 1 stations (three at Talleres, one at Mitras, one at Cuauhtémoc, one at Félix U. Gómez, two at Y Griega, and three at Exposición), twelve routes at Line 2 stations (eight at Sendero and four at Universidad), and six routes at Line 3 stations (all at Hospital Metropolitano).

Ecovía: A bus rapid transit (BRT) system with large articulated buses on dedicated lanes. Ecovía has integrated connections with Metrorrey at Mitras station (Line 1) with free transfers, and at Ruiz Cortines station (Line 3), though the latter requires exiting the station and paying a fare.

Tickets & fares

Fare types and prices

As of April 2024, fares are as follows (approximate and subject to change):

Payment methods

You can pay using several contactless and app-based methods:

Cash payment is being phased out on public transportation. At some Metrorrey stations, cash single-ride tickets are still available, but at several stations, a rechargeable metro card is required.

From the airport

Monterrey International Airport (General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, MTY), located in the suburban municipality of Apodaca approximately 30 minutes from downtown, is the city's main airport serving all commercial flights. The airport has three terminals: Terminal A serves both international and domestic flights, Terminal B primarily serves Aeromexico flights, and Terminal C serves Viva Aerobus flights (though these may also arrive at Terminal A). As of 2023, a free inter-terminal shuttle is available.

To reach downtown Monterrey by public transport from MTY, you can take a bus or taxi to a Metrorrey station. However, the sources do not specify a direct rapid transit connection from the airport terminals to the Metrorrey system. Plan to take a local bus or other transport to reach a metro station, or consider a taxi or ride-hailing service (Uber or Didi serve the city) for a more direct route. The journey to the city center typically takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic and your final destination.

Etiquette & customs

While the provided sources do not detail specific local etiquette for riding Metrorrey, standard transit courtesy applies. The system is described as clean and modern. Queuing and orderly boarding are expected in Mexican cities. Priority seating for the elderly and persons with disabilities is standard practice. The system is accessible with elevators and ramps at all stations, and dedicated wheelchair-accessible cars are available. Surveillance cameras and patrol personnel are present throughout the system, contributing to a safe environment. During peak hours (typically weekday morning and evening commutes), trains can become crowded; expect moderate congestion and allow extra time for boarding.

Survival terms

Keep a rechargeable Me Muevo or Mia card with you if you plan to ride Metrorrey multiple times, as many stations no longer sell single cash tickets and card-based payment is faster and more convenient than fumbling for coins at peak hours.

Sources

  1. Metrorrey
  2. Wikivoyage: Monterrey
  3. Complete Guide to Monterrey Metro Operations in Mexico

About this place