San Francisco Station — Quito Metro Line 1
San Francisco Station is the gateway to Quito's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. Its exits open just metres from Plaza de San Francisco and the heart of the colonial old town.
Location and access
San Francisco Station lies beneath Quito's Historic Centre, with exits beside Plaza de San Francisco. Building it required careful archaeological and heritage-protection work, since it sits in the middle of the UNESCO-listed colonial old town.
Getting there: this is the natural way into the Historic Centre by metro. Step outside and you are metres from the San Francisco convent, and a short walk from Plaza Grande, La Compañía church and La Ronda street.
Connections with other transport
- 🚌Historic Centre busesUrban routes through the old town
- 🚶On footPlaza Grande, La Compañía and La Ronda all close by
- 🚇La Magdalena, 1 stop awayTrolleybus interchange, ~3 min
- ♿AccessibilityLifts, ramps and adapted signage
What to see nearby
Plaza and Convent of San Francisco
The largest architectural complex in any historic centre in the Americas, known as the "Escorial of the New World" — metres from the metro exit.
La Ronda
A restored colonial street of 18th-century houses, artisan workshops and nightlife, about 5 minutes on foot.
Plaza Grande and La Compañía
Quito's main square and the city's most dazzling baroque church, both a short walk away.
Station services
The station has ticket offices for buying and topping up the Metro Q card, self-service machines, access gates, lifts and escalators for priority passengers, information screens with arrival times, CCTV and security staff. Given its location in the Historic Centre, it is one of the busiest stations for visitors. It is fully accessible.
Opening hours
San Francisco Station operates every day of the year, including public holidays:
- Monday to Friday: 05:30 – 23:00
- Saturdays: 07:00 – 23:00
- Sundays and public holidays: 07:00 – 22:00
- Approximate frequency: every 5–10 minutes depending on demand (more frequent at peak times)
Customer service: 1800 METRO Q (638 767), Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00.
Journey times and fares from San Francisco
The Quito Metro uses a flat fare: you pay the same price regardless of how far you travel on Line 1.
Approximate journey times from San Francisco to key stations:
| Destination | Stops | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Quitumbe (southern terminus) | 6 | ~15 min |
| Iñaquito (financial district) | 6 | ~15 min |
| El Labrador (northern terminus) | 8 | ~19 min |
Times estimated from the full end-to-end run (34 min between termini). Check exact times at the station or in the official app.