The Valparaíso Metro, historically known as Merval and officially named Tren Limache-Puerto by state operator EFE, is an electrified metropolitan railway that runs 43 kilometres through the Gran Valparaíso region of Chile. It links five very different municipalities: the historic port city of Valparaíso, the seaside resort of Viña del Mar, the inland cities of Quilpué and Villa Alemana, and the current terminus at Limache. End-to-end travel time is approximately 61 minutes.
As of 2026 the system has 21 stations, a new Chinese-built CRRC-Sifang fleet, fare integration with electric buses, trolleybuses and Valparaíso's cable cars, and environmental approval for the extension to La Calera. Monthly passes start at CLP 20,500 for Zone A (Valparaíso–Viña del Mar). A complementary night bus service, the N01, covers the corridor when the train is not running.
For tourists, the train is by far the clearest way to travel between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. For the 85,000–90,000 daily commuters who depend on it, it is the backbone of regional mobility. One key limitation: the train runs along the flat coastal plan — to reach Valparaíso's famous hillside neighbourhoods, you still need the funicular elevators, shared taxis or a walk from the station.
Valparaiso Metro
Metro Valparaiso, known as Merval is the underground system serving the chilean district of Gran Valparaiso. It's 43 kilometers long and serves 20 stations. Merval connects the Chilean cities of Limache, Villa Alemana, Quilpue, Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. The service was inaugurated in November 2005. The Valapariso metro runs at street level between Puerto y Recreo stations and by tunnels under the Alvarez and Viana avenues. Back out to surface in El Salto, an industrial neighborhood, before getting into the city.
In 2013 it was used by more than 20.2 million passengers.
Metro Valparaíso: Stations, Lines and Zones
The Valparaiso metro is divided into nine sections. His only line is 43 kilometers long has the following stations: Harbour, Bellavista, France, Baron, Portales, Valencia, Quilpué, The Sun, The Bellotto, Recreation, Miramar, Viña del Mar, Hospital, Chorrillos, El Salto, Limache, Las Americas, Concepcion, Villa Alemana, Sargento Aldea, Penablanca. In 2001 several stations were removed due to low usage: Laboral, Valencia, German School and Rumi. The total travel time is 55 minutes.
Valparaiso Metro Sections:
- Tramo 1: Puerto, Bellavista, Francia, Barón, Portales
- Tramo 2: Recreo, Miramar, Viña del Mar, Hospital, Chorrillos, El Salto
- Tramo 3: Quilpué, El Sol, El Belloto
- Tramo 4: Las Américas, Concepción, Villa Alemana, Sargento Aldea, Peñablanca
- Tramo 5: Limache
- Tramo 6: Quillota
- Tramo 7: Limache Vjo.
- Tramo 8: La Calera, La Cruz
- Tramo 9: Olmué
Metro Valparaiso
Hours and frequency of service
In Valparaiso metro there are several times that influence the price of the trip:
- Off peak: From monday to friday, 06:00-06:30, 10:00-17:00 y 20:30-23:30. Saturday, sundays and holidays is always low time (peak off)
- Regular time: From monday to friday, 06:30-07:00, 09:00-10:00, 17:00-17:30, 19:30-20:30.
- Peak time: From monday to friday, 07:00-9:00 and 17:30-19:30
From Monday to Friday during peak hours the frequency is 6 minutes in Puerto-Sargento Aldea and every 12 minutes in Puerto-Limache. In normal hours frequency is 12 minutes Puerto-Limache.
Saturdays frequency is 12 minutes to Port-Limache.
Sundays and holidays frequency is 12 minutes to Port-Limache. Regular hours, 18 minutes.
Another Valparaiso Metro Map
Fares and cards
The Merval rates are a function of distance, time (peak or regular) and day (weekday, weekend, holiday) Curiously, the criteria for a child to have or not to pay the ticket, is not age as in most systems but its height. Taller children than a particular height (tourniquet), will pay.
Rates (spanish): http://www.metro-valparaiso.cl/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TARIFARIO_201502.pdf
Metroval Card
The only payment method in Metro of Valparaiso is the Metroval card. It is priced at $ 1,350. It is a rechargeable and customizable card. Personalized cards can only be used by the holder. The advantage of customized cards is that you can block if lost or stolen so as balance is preserved. Customize it costs $ 5,000. They can be recharged with cash or via "Redcompra". It is valid for bus and Metro.
Turist/daily card
It's a pass that allows you to use Merval unlimited for 24 hours. It is priced at $ 2,360 for holders of a regular Metroval card. If traveling in group, you can also use your card to make Metroval unlimited travels for a day. But you can only load a daily card in. That is, if you use the same card for multiple users, after the first validation, the fare will be deducted from your balance.
Yearly Card
Valid for 365 days. It is priced at $ 287,000. This metroval card is customized and it can only be used by the owner.
Student discount
There are Metroval Estudiante Media and Superior with discounts up to 66%. Basic Metroval Student card of up to 100%. The price of these cards is $ 5,000 and have a duration of one year. Card renovations cost $ 3,000. The students card are Metroval customized cards and therefore are not transferable. In this card you can not add more discounts or promotions.
Elder
Adulto Mayor card offers a 50% discount. Only over 60 year people can apply for it. It is priced at $ 5,000. The annual renewal price is $ 3,000. It's a customized card and therefore non transferable. The user can't benefit from other discounts or promotions in metroval.
Disabled
Discapacitado card has a 50% discount. It is priced at $ 5,000. The annual renewal price is $ 3,000. It is a customized card and therefore non transferable. The user can't benefit from other discounts or promotions in metroval.
Fine
Fine for not having a ticket is $ 1,623.
Curious facts
In Valparaiso metro you are allowed to carry bikes on weekends and holidays, with a special card, metrobici, which costs $ 5,000.
Each car can carry up to 4 bikes. Allowed stations to carry in a bike: Puerto, France, Portales, Miramar, Hospital, El Salto, El Sol, La Conception, Sergeant Village y Limache.
