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How to travel from San José to Cartago by train in Costa Rica

September 4, 2022 | Tagged: Costa Rica

For kicks, I rode the train from Estación Atlántico to Estación Cartago one of 3 "Interurban" lines in San José, Costa Rica.
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
El Tren Interurbano is operated by the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, INCOFER, the state public railway company.

Here is the Estación Atlántico in San José, Costa Rica:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
The Estación Atlántico dates from 1908:
Estanció Atlántico in San José
I wanted to take the 15:00 out of San José and come back on the 16:30 or the 17:30 but the afternoon rains are horrendous, so I skipped my free breakfast at the TripOn Hostel and took the 07:55 instead.

​Ticket hall at the Estación Atlántico in San José
Estanció Atlántico in San José
You can buy the ticket at the station, or on the train:
Buying a ticket for the san josé to cartago train
Estación Atlántico to Estación Cartago was 550 CRC:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
The schedule is for workers, they are commuter trains. They start running as early as 4 am, depending on the line, until about 9 am. Then they restart around 3 pm and continue until 8 pm.
San José to Cartago train timetable
This is my train arriving:
5 minutes for a bit of trainspotting:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
Riding the San José to Cartago Interurban train, Costa Rica, September 2022:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
The trains are new, air-conditioned and take almost 1 hour to cover the 20 km. There are no toilets on board and no 1st and 2nd classes. It's as you see below:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
Most of the trains are new but I did see some of the older ex Spanish trains.
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
It's an unique experience as trains in Central America are almost non-existent.

Trains in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala have been disbanded despite having, at one time, a good network.

Honduras is said to have a freight service and a few kilomentres of tourist track but I can not confirm if things are still running.

Panama has a metro with 2 lines and a Tourist Train which runs from Panama City to Colón. I will see in a few weeks if it is actually still running.
At the Estación Cartago in Costa Rica:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
On arrival, I backpacked the town of Cartago for some hours before taking the bus back to San José.

Buses go from the main bus terminal in Cartago just north of the station and are operated by Lumaca. The fare was 680 CRC and took almost an hour due to the traffic.

The train is certainly more comfortable and convenient for the hostels in Barrio Escalante.
​

Photos taken at or near the Estación Atlántico in San José, Costa Rica:
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
San José to Cartago by train | Costa Rica
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Next Post:

My 5 top sights in Cartago, Costa Rica

Previous Post:

​​Visiting the La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica

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