LRT 1 Stations Guide: Things You Need To Know

Residents often use the subway and light rail transits to move faster around the Philippines National Capital Region (NCR). Their station system is distributed around key areas near other public transportation such as taxis, buses, and jeepneys, helping passengers save more time traveling.

This article will cover the LRT 1 stations guide, which is considered the busiest route of this system, and you should acquire it before traveling. Do not miss out on this essential information and their near-attractive destination!

About LRT-1

​​Light Rail Line 1 (LRT-1) is one of three rapid transit systems of Metro Manila, next to LRT Line 2 (LRT-2, or known as Megatren) and Urban Rail Transit Line (Metro Line 3). LRT-1 was established by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1980, and construction began one year later. Once launched in 1984, it became Southeast Asia’s first rapid transit line.

Route

The Green Line system, also known as LRT-1, is managed by the Manila Light Rail Corporation (LRMC). It travels along Taft Avenue, stretching to Rizal Avenue and its extension before taking a right turn onto Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and ending at North Avenue West and EDSA. 

The line covers a total length of 19.62 km (12.21 mi) and comprises 20 elevated stations. LRT-1 connects four cities – Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, and Pasay – and is expected to expand to Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor in Cavite. Notably, three of its stations – Doroteo Jose – Recto (LRT Line 2) and EDSA – Taft Avenue – are connected to other subways through covered walkways. 

Additionally, Blumentritt station is directly linked to the PNR Metro Commuter Line.

Operating Hours

The Light Rail Line 1 has an early departure time of 4:30 am from the two primary starting stations. The last trips of the day vary between 9:30 and 10:15 pm, depending on the station and day of operation, compared to other train lines.

	Starting station	Weekdays (from Monday to Friday)	Weekends and Holidays
First Train	Baclaran	4:30 am
	Fernando Poe Jr.	4:30 am
Last Train	Baclaran	10:00 pm	9:30 pm
	Fernando Poe Jr.	10:15 pm	9:45 pm

Ticket Prices

One-way trip fares range from 15 to 35 pesos, increasing by 1.21 per kilometer. Use a Beep card for payment, which also works for buses and select ferries (prices from 13.29 to 35 pesos). Senior citizens, people with disabilities, and students get a 20% discount on every one-way trip.

LRT-1 Stations Guide

LRT-1 has 20 stations in 4 cities, starting from Baclaran in Pasay, going towards Manila and Caloocan, and ending at Fernando Poe Jr. in Quezon City.

Pasays

Baclaran

• Location: Taft Avenue Extension, located right in the center of Baclaran market – is the Southern terminus
• Interesting destinations nearby: Redemptorist Church, Public Market, and integrated resort and casino area – Solaire Resort and City of Dreams, Coastal Mall, Manila International Airport

EDSA

• Location: at the intersection of Taft Avenue and EDSA Avenue, connected to MRT-3 by main road
• Interesting destinations nearby: Metropoint Mall, Saver’s Square, The Dessert Museum, Senate of the Philippines, SM Central Business Park (including the fifth-largest Asian Mall, and can take jeep or taxi), San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. (SJDEFI)

Libertad (known as Antonio Arnaiz or Arnaiz)

• Location: at the intersection of Taft Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue, near the Japanese and US Embassies
• Interesting destinations nearby: HK Sun Plaza Home Depot and Lifestyle Center, Cuneta Astrodome, Cartimar Shopping Center, Libertad Market, Pasay City Government, Victorymalls

Gil Puyat

• Location: between Taft and Buendia Avenues, for passengers bound for Manila, Batangas, Lugana, and Lucena
• Interesting destinations nearby: World Trade Center (WTC), Cartimar Shopping Center, the fifth-largest Asian Mall – SM (must-see destination), Star City, the PICC Complex

Manila

Vito Cruz

• Location: at Taft Avenue, Malate District, on the Southern Main Line, near Saint Scholastica’s College, De La Salle University (DLSU), and College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)

Interesting destinations nearby: Coconut Palace, Francisco Balagtas Theater, Manila Film Center, The Central Bank, Rizal Memorial Stadium

Quirino

• Location: at the crossing of San Andres Street, Quirino and Taft Avenue
• Interesting destinations nearby: Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Rajah Sulayman Park, Malate Catholic School, Church, Yacht Club, and Zoo

Pedro Gil (also called Herran)

• Location: Near the edge of Pedro Gil Street and Taft Avenue – a hub for students and professors due to its proximity to major universities and colleges
• Interesting destinations nearby: Paco Park, Hyatt Regency, Saint Paul University, PCU Manila, General Hospital, and Women’s University, Robinsons Place

United Nations (known as United Nations Avenue)

• Location: at the intersection of Taft and United Nations Avenues – the most strategic area because it is close to many universities, key tourism destinations, and government offices
• Interesting destinations nearby: National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Oceanarium Manila, José Rizal Monument, Luneta Park, Library and Museum, Supreme Court, US Embassy

Central Terminal (also called Arroceros or Lawton)

• Location: on Antonio Villegas Street, in the Manila University Belt
• Interesting destinations nearby: City Hall of Manila, Fort Santiago, Liwasang Bonifacio, National Art Gallery, Metropolitan Theater (MET)

Carriedo

• Location: at the border of Quiapo and Sta Cruz districts, near the Binondo district and the Divisoria shopping center
• Interesting destinations nearby: Arroceros Urban Forest Park, Chinatown Arch, Liwasang Bonifacio, Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Black Nazarene, Plaza Goiti, Universidad de Manila Henry Sy Campus

Doroteo Jose

• Location: at Rizal Avenue and Doroteo Jose Street, in Santa Cruz district
• Interesting destinations nearby: Divisoria Commercial Center, Philippine Rabbit, National Maternity Hospital, Genesis, Isetann Cinerama Complex, LRT 2 Recto Station, Manila City Jail, Quiapo Bargain Center

Bambang

• Location: at Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz – where many jeep and tricycle routes are concentrated towards Tondo, Sampaloc, Santa Cruz districts and Rizal
• Interesting destinations nearby: Bambang Medical & Hospital Equipment Supply, San Lazaro Hospital (SLH), City Children’s Hospital, Hope Christian High School, The Catholic University of the Philippines, Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC)

Tayuman

• Location: at the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Tayuman Street – the closest place to the Dangwa flower wholesale Sampaloc district’s market
• Interesting destinations nearby: Department of Health, Dapitan Arcade, Espirito Santo Catholic Church, SM City San Lazaro, Flower Market

Blumentritt

• Location: on Blumentritt Street – is the place where the three districts of Tondo, Santa Cruz, and Sampaloc meet and connect to the Philippine National Railways Blumentritt (PNR) station
• Interesting destinations nearby: Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, SM City San Lazaro, Archdiocese of Manila, Blumentritt Market

Abad Santos

• Location: near Abad Santos and Rizal Avenues – easy travel to into Santa Cruz district and Tondo district by jeep and tricycle routes
• Interesting destinations nearby: Chinese Cemetery, Mila’s Lechon, St Joseph’s School, Tondo Medical Center

R. Papa

• Location: nearby Ricardo Papa Street – surrounded by the Eastern Chinese Cemetery and the Western residential areas
• Interesting destinations nearby: La Loma Catholic Cemetery, Barrio Obrero Elementary School, Marulas Central Elementary School

Caloocan

5th Avenue

• Location: in the extension of Rizal Avenue and the intersection of Fifth Avenue, near the boundary of Grace Park West and East in Caloocan
• Interesting destinations nearby: Ung Siu Si Buddhist and Thai To Taoist Temple, Philippine Cultural College (PCC), Northern Rizal Yorklin School

Monumento (as known Yamaha Monumento)

• Location: on Rizal Avenue in Grace Park West and East, Caloocan – easy access to MacArthur Freeway and Samson Road by the jeepney.
• Interesting destinations nearby: Araneta Square,  Malabon Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden, Caloocan Division of City Schools Compound (having the Public Library), Puregold Monumento, Parco Supermarket, Victorymalls

Quezon City

Balintawak Station

• Location: at the border of the neighborhoods of Apolonio Samson, Balingasa, Unang Sigaw, and Balintawak market in Quezon City
• Interesting destinations nearby: Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Ayala Mall Cloverleaf, Balintawak Public Market, Cry of Pugad Lawin, CW Home Depot, Balintawak Interchange, Skyway System

Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ and also called Roosevelt)

• Location: near Roosevelt Avenue – the North terminus of LRT -1
• Interesting destinations nearby: General Hospital (QCGH), Congressional Shopping Arcade, AMA University, Iglesia ni Cristo Bago Bantay, Munoz Market, S&R Membership Shopping

Additional Stations

Light Rail Transit 1, operated by LRMC, is expanding its route towards the south by 11km and adding eight new stations to its line. Due to the pandemic, the company spent 4 billion pesos instead of the originally estimated 64.92 billion pesos for the project. The expansion project comes with three phases. 

• The first phase will cover Parañaque City, which will have five new stations – starting from Redemptorist, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos.
• The second phase will have a station named after Las Piñas City and another in Bacoor City, Cavite province.

• The third phase will have only one station in Niog, Bacoor City. 

Its schedule is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Once accomplished, it is forecasted to significantly reduce the travel time between Pasay and Cavite from one hour to 25 to 30 minutes. According to the company’s estimates, it will also increase the number of daily passengers to 800,000.

Tips For Your First Time Traveling With LRT-1

Make your train ride smoother with these tips: 

• Use a stored or Beep card for discounts and convenience. 
• Avoid rush hour for a more comfortable trip. 
• Keep your bag in front to keep an eye on your belongings. 
• Stay informed of the itinerary and announcements. 
• Bring deodorant spray for deodorizing bad smells, especially in crowded trains.

Final Thoughts

Light Railway Transit 1 is built around Metro Manila, with many tourist attractions, a congested population, and many public facilities such as hospitals, markets, parks, and schools. The LRT-1 stations guide will help you simplify bad traffic problems, getting lost, and long waits. It also offers affordable prices, along with ensuring the safety of your trips.

Keep in mind the above tips to have more comfortable and convenient journeys!