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.
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:
Here is the Estación Atlántico in San José, Costa Rica:
The Estación Atlántico dates from 1908:
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
Ticket hall at the Estación Atlántico in San José
You can buy the ticket at the station, or on the train:
Estación Atlántico to Estación Cartago was 550 CRC:
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.
This is my train arriving:
5 minutes for a bit of trainspotting:
Riding the San José to Cartago Interurban train, Costa Rica, September 2022:
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:
Most of the trains are new but I did see some of the older ex Spanish trains.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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