Travel Blog

ByJane Maria

Beginner Commuter’s Guide to MRT Stations, Fares, and More

Table of Contents

  • Beginner Commuter’s Guide to MRT Stations, Fares, and More
  • MRT Schedule
  • MRT Operating Hours
  • MRT Map Route
  • MRT Stations
  • North Avenue
  • Quezon Avenue
  • GMA-Kamuning
  • Araneta Center-Cubao
  • Santolan-Annapolis
  • Ortigas
  • Shaw Boulevard
  • Boni
  • Guadalupe
  • Buendia
  • Taft Avenue
  • Ticketing
  • Important Safety Tips
  • FAQ

With long station lines, congested cars, and the notorious signaling problems that would force hundreds of passengers to disembark and discontinue their ride, MRT, or the Manila Metro Rail Transit System (MRTS), is one of the most important public transportation systems in the Travel Blog. The rail infrastructure started operation in 1990, and three more stations, Ayala, Magallanes, and Taft Avenue, were added in 2000.

The Metro Rail Transit is often confused with the Light Rail Transit. Both are crucial transportation systems and serve different parts of Metro Manila. While MRT runs through EDSA, LRT has two lines that run north to south and west to east of Metro Manila.

MRT Schedule

MRT Operating Hours

  • The Metro Rail Transit operates from Monday through Sunday.
  • The first trip from North Avenue Station is at 4:36AM, while the first trip from Taft Avenue Station is at 5:18AM.
  • The peak hours in the morning are from 6:30AM to 9:30AM, while the peak hours at night are from 7:30PM to 10:30PM.

MRT Map Route

MRT Stations

North Avenue

Sometimes called North Station, North Avenue is connected to TriNoma, one of the largest shopping malls in Quezon City. The station is mostly used by passengers from Valenzuela and Bulacan.

Location: Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • TriNoma
  • SM City North Edsa
  • Quezon Memorial Circle
  • Veterans Memorial Medical Center
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Quezon City Science High School
  • Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

Quezon Avenue

Being the closest station to the University of the Philippines-Diliman and various government hospitals and offices, Quezon Avenue is frequented by students and workers alike.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Philippine Science High School
  • University of the Philippines-Diliman
  • ABS-CBN Network
  • PAGASA Complex
  • Office of the Ombudsman
  • Court of Tax Appeals
  • Lung Center of the Philippines
  • Eton Centris
  • UP-Ayala Land Technohub
  • Fairview

GMA-Kamuning

Located near Timog Avenue, a popular nightlife district in Quezon City, GMA-Kamuning is named after a broadcast complex of a radio and television network in the country and a barangay not far away.

Location: Samar Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • GMA Network
  • Land Transportation Office
  • Department of Public Works and Highways
  • Philippine Statistics Authority
  • Philippine Heart Center
  • Quezon Memorial Circle

Araneta Center-Cubao

The busiest MRT station, second to Ayala station, Araneta Center-Cubao, is where passengers get off to change trains to LRT 2 or to take a bus headed north.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Araneta Coliseum
  • Farmer’s Plaza
  • Gateway Mall
  • Ali Mall
  • Cubao Expo

Santolan-Annapolis

Aptly named after Santolan Road and Annapolis Street, Santolan-Annapolis station is located close to Eastwood City and Katipunan, as well as the Philippine National Police Headquarters.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Camp Aguinaldo
  • Camp Crame
  • Armed Forces of the Philippines
  • Department of National Defense
  • Philippine National Police
  • Greenhills Shopping Center

Ortigas

Ortigas provides service to most of the Ortigas Business District.

Location: Wack-Wack Greenhills, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Asian Development Bank
  • Robinson’s Galleria
  • SM Megamall
  • The Podium
  • Francis Square
  • Philippine Stock Exchange
  • Meralco Theater
  • EDSA Shrine
  • Philippine Stock Exchange
  • The Medical City
  • Holiday Inn
  • Crowne Plaza

Shaw Boulevard

Shaw Boulevard is the only two-tracked station and serves the greater Mandaluyong. Passengers off to Ortigas Center and the Greenfield District get off at this station.

Location: Wack-Wack Greenhills, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Shangri-La Plaza
  • Pavillion Mall
  • Starmall Shaw
  • Capitol Commons
  • San Miguel Corporation
  • Department of Education
  • The University of Asia and the Pacific
  • Lourdes School
  • St. Paul College Pasig
  • PhilSports Arena
  • Wack Wack Golf and Country Club
  • Ynares Sports Arena

Boni

Commuters going to Mandaluyong and students from Rizal Technological University often get off at Boni station.

Location: Barangka Ilaya, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Robinson’s Cybergate
  • Victor Potenciano Medical Center
  • GA Twin Towers
  • SM Light Residences
  • TV5 Media Center
  • Paragon Plaza
  • Rizal Technological University

Guadalupe

Passengers headed to neighboring cities and nearby sights often drop off at Guadalupe or “Guada” station. Jeepney, bus, and ferry terminals are close to the station bound for Fort Bonifacio, Pateros, and eastern Makati.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

Rockwell Center

  • PowerPlant Mall
  • Makati City Hall
  • University of Makati
  • San Carlos Seminary
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
  • Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila

Buendia

Also called Gil Puyat station, Buendia is often used by students and workers going to the Makati Central Business District.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Forbes Park and Urdaneta, Makati, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Department of Trade and Industry
  • MMDA Offices
  • Makati Avenue
  • Jupiter Street
  • Century City Mall
  • Metrobank and DBP Headquarters

Ayala

Perhaps the most popular and busiest MRT station, Ayala station, is linked to Ayala Center and SM Makati. Students and workers also use the station regularly as it is close to the Makati Central Business District and Bonifacio Global City.

Location: EDSA Avenue, San Lorenzo and Dasmariñas, Makati, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • SM Makati
  • Glorietta
  • Greenbelt
  • Ayala Triangle Gardens
  • The Philippine Stock Exchange
  • BPI, China Bank, RCBC, and Citibank Headquarters
  • Makati Shangri-La Hotel
  • Manila Peninsula

Magallanes

Magallanes station is conveniently located near stops headed to and from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Chino Roces Avenue, and Dasmarinas Village.

Location: EDSA Avenue, Magallanes, Makati, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Asia Pacific College
  • Assumption College
  • Don Bosco Technical Institute
  • Colegio San Agustin-Makati
  • Alphaland Makati

Taft Avenue

The only MRT station in Pasay, Taft Avenue, is the transfer point for passengers taking LRT 1 to Baclaran or Roosevelt station. Taft Avenue is also close to provincial bus terminals bound for Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan, such as Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philtranco.

Location: EDSA Avenue, San Rafael, Pasay, Metro Manila

Nearby Landmarks and Establishments:

  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport
  • SM Mall of Asia
  • SMX Convention Center
  • San Juan de Dios Hospital
  • Manila Tytana College

Ticketing

There are two types of tickets:

  • Single Journey — The single-journey tickets are valid on the day of purchase, while stored value cards are valid for three months.
  • Stored Value Cards / Beep Card — For passengers’ convenience, they can get a Beep card, a contactless smart card that has been used since 2015 in all Manila LRT and MRT lines. The Beep stored value cards are valid for four years from the date of purchase.

How to top up / load your beep card

You may load your beep card through the following options:

  • Train teller booths and ticket vending machines.
  • Beep kiosks.
  • Beep partner merchants.
  • BPI Online.
  • Shopeepay.
  • GCash.
  • Maya.
  • Ministop.

Important Safety Tips

  • If commuting via MRT will become part of the daily routine, opt for a stored-value card or beepTM card instead of buying single-journey tickets. This saves commuters time from lining up at the teller’s booth.
  • Watch out for personal belongings. It’s common for passengers to put their bags in front of them. Make sure that loose change and beepTM cards are secured.
  • Avoid rush hours. Try to travel before or after the rush hours, choose the less crowded stations like GMA-Kamuning, Buendia, and Magallanes, and avoid Araneta Center-Cubao and Ayala stations.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Even with the air conditioning, the cars can feel hot and humid, especially during rush hours. Refrain from wearing slippers and high heels to prevent tripping and getting stepped on.
  • Memorize the stations. It can be challenging to read the station signs, especially when the car is packed Travel Blog.
  • To learn more about MRT and get the latest updates, follow MRT 3’s Official Facebook Page and check out their website Travel Blog.

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