Foreigner’s Guide to Commuting Around Metro Manila’s Rail Stations with MRT

There are 3 rail stations in Metro Manila; Manila Light Rail Transit System (Lines 1 and 2) and Metro Manila Rail Transit System (Line 3. – Yellow Line). When in Manila, you want to avoid traffic, right? One way to avoid it is by commuting with MRT or LRT as it is faster and more convenient. MRT is along EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue) while LRT 1 is at Taft to Rizal Avenue and LRT 2 is at Ramon Magsaysay to Aurora boulevards.

Before commuting with MRT, make sure the place you are going to is near the station. If gusto mong puntahan maylakarin kapang malayo, mas mabuti pang mag P2P Bus or taxi kana lang. Here’s our MRT guide to P2P Buses. However, if you think much lesser time and walking through MRT then you can ride it.

MRT Stops

Here is the list of MRT Stops and places that are near there.

If you are South-bound, you will travel to Taft avenue. if you are North-bound, you will travel to North Avenue.

Tip for beginners: You must remember which way you are going so that you won’t go to another direction.

North Avenue

• Trinoma Mall
• SM North EDSA
• Department of Agriculture
• Philippine Science High School Main Campus
• Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
• Quezon City Science High School 
• Quezon Memorial Circle
• Triangle Park

Quezon Avenue

• Centris
• ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
• Court of Tax Appeal
• Lung Center of the Philippines
• Office of the Ombudsman
• PAGASA Complex
• Quezon Memorial Circle
• Triangle Park

GMA Kamuning

• East Avenue
• Timog Avenue
• DPWH
• GMA Network Studios Annex
• PAG-IBIG Fund
• Philippine Heart Center
• Philippine Statistics Authority 

Araneta Cubao

• LRT 2 – Cubao – Purple Line
• Araneta Coliseum
• Farmer’s Market
• Gateway Mall
• PNP General Hospital
• Quezon Medical Center

Santolan Annapolis

• Greenhills Shopping Center
• Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course
• Camp Crame
• Immaculate Concepcion Academy
• Promenade
• Xavier School

Ortigas

• Ortigas Business District
• Robinsons Galleria
• SM Megamall
• St. Francis Square
• The Podium

Shaw Boulevard

• Shangri-La Mall
• ESDA Shangri-La Hotel
• EDSA Central Shopping Mall
• Starmall Saw
• St. Francis Church

Boni

• Pioneer Center
• Globe Telecom Plaza Tower
• Horizon EDSA Hotel
• Robinsons Place Pioneer
• The Legend Villas

Guadalupe

• Dr. Jose P. Riza Avenue
• Guadalupe Commercial Center
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Memorial Chape
• Rockwell Center

Buendia

• Makati Business District
• Forbes Park Gate
• Department of Energy
• MMDA

Ayala

• SM Makati
• Dusit Thani Hotel Manila
• Glorietta 3
• Glorietta 4
• InterContinental Hotel Manila
• The Landmark

Magallanes

• North Magallanes Flyover
• Chino Roces Avenue
• Don Bosco Makati
• Pasong Tamo Extension
• South Luzon Express Way (SLEX)

Taft Avenue

• LRT-1 EDSA Station
• Metropoint Mall
• Saver’s Square
• Ride here to NAIA Airport, MOA, SMX and etc.

MRT Fares

The fare will depend on how many stations you have passed. Minimum will be Php 13.00 and Maximum will be Php 28.00

• 1-2 stations – Php 13.00
• 3-4 stations – Php 16.00
• 5-7 stations – Php 20.00
• 8-10 stations – Php 24.00 
• 11-12 stations – Php 28.00

So, for example, you are from North Avenue (point 0) and will stop at Quezon Avenue(station 1), then you will pay Php 13.00. However, if you are from North Avenue (0) to Taft Avenue (12), then you will pay Php 28.00. If you will ride at Guadalupe (0) and stop at Cubao (5), then you will pay Php 20.00.

MRT Tickets

You may buy tickets at the station or use your beep card to get into the station.

Single Journey Ticket

• One ride 
• valid on the date of purchase
• Php 13.00 – 28.00

Single Journey Discount

• for Senior Citizens and PWDs
• One ride 
• valid on the date of purchase
• Discounted by 20%

Stored Value Ticket

• Multiple Ride
• Valid for 3 months
• Php 100.00 with last ride bonus

Stored Value Discount

• for Senior Citizens and PWDs
• Multiple Ride
• Valid for 3 months
• Discounted by 20%
• Php 100.00 with last ride bonus

Beep Card

• store value card
• valid for 4 years
• you may load any amount
• can be used for other LRT stations, P2P buses and many more
• can be loaded at bus stops and convenience stores
• may have special types for: Senior Citizens, PWDs or Student

There may be free rides for Students, Senior Citizens, Women, or etc. depending on the holidays. Please check the MRT 3 Facebook page.

Tip for Beginners: If you are riding the MRT once or twice, you can pay in cash. However, if you commute regularly, then, might as well buy the Beep Card to avoid lining for a ticket. 

MRT Schedule

Weekdays

15 trains will be of service with 7 minutes interval.

North Avenue

• First Trip – 4:59 AM
• Last Trip – 9:10 PM

Taft Avenue

• First Trip – 5:50 AM
• Last Trip – 10:10 PM

Weekends or Holidays

12 trains will be of service with 8 minutes and 30 seconds interval

North Avenue

• First Trip – 4:59 AM
• Last Trip – 9:10 PM

Taft Avenue

• First Trip – 5:51 AM
• Last Trip – 10:01 PM

Tips for Beginners: There might be some delays with the MRT due to damages or problems. You might as well have a time allowance in case something happens.

MRT Reminders

Prohibited Items

• Baggage with a length of 2 feet or more (too bulky)
• Sealed items (they might be checked by security personnel)
• Bottled Water of Liquids more than 100 ml
• Confiscated items will be claimed at the Station Supervisor, please bring ID 

Permitted Items or Liquids

• Baby Formula or Breast milk in bottles (if traveling with a baby)
• Drinking water for children
• Medications
• Beverages for PWDs
• Life-support and Life-sustaining liquids
• Medical and cosmetics 

Train Etiquette

• Priority Area is for Senior Citizens, Pregnant Women, Person with Disability and Children who are four feet below and below 7 years old. However, please take note that only one companion will be allowed, others may transfer  to other doors
• Always keep safe your ticket or Beep Card
• Form a line
• Enter on the side of the door
• Don’t lean on the doors while the train is running
• Don’t force the door to open because it will automatically open and close 
• If you see someone who is not following, please warn them since they might cause issues (e.g. damage, delays)

I hope this MRT guide will help you with your travel to Metro Manila. This is a great alternative to jeepneys or taxis where you are faced with traffic. This is also way cheaper than buses or taxis. So if you are near the stations, I recommend you to use MRT. However, during early times like before work or school, you might ready yourself for the crowd. If you take this more than once, then try buying beep cards as they automatically will deduct your fare and you don’t have to line anymore for a ticket.