ES

Universidad Central Station — Quito Metro Line 1

Universidad Central Station is the tenth stop on Line 1 and opens directly onto the campus of the Universidad Central del Ecuador, the country's largest and oldest university. It is also one of the system's five multimodal stations, linking with the Ecovía.

Location
UCE campusUniversidad Central
Position
10 of 15central-northern section
Interchange
Ecovíamultimodal station
Student fare
$0.22school pupils

Location and access

Universidad Central Station has exits facing the main campus of the Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE), the country's largest and oldest public university. The area is also home to government offices and the student quarter.

Getting there: less than two minutes on foot from the campus, by Ecovía along the eastern corridor, or by bus on the surrounding streets.

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Connections with other transport

  • 🚌EcovíaEastern corridor, interchange in the area
  • 🎓UCE campusExits facing the university, under 2 min
  • 🚌Regular busesRoutes through the student quarter
  • ♿AccessibilityLifts, ramps and adapted signage

What to see nearby

Universidad Central del Ecuador

The country's largest and oldest public university, its campus a couple of minutes from the exit.

El Arbolito park

A green space popular with students, a few minutes' walk from the station.

Student quarter

Bookshops, print shops and cheap places to eat, all running to the rhythm of the academic year.

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. Its opening hours cover both morning and evening classes at the UCE. It is fully accessible.

Opening hours

Universidad Central 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 Universidad Central

The Quito Metro uses a flat fare: you pay the same price regardless of how far you travel on Line 1.

Standard fare
$0.45
Reduced
$0.22
Disability
$0.10

Approximate journey times from Universidad Central to key stations:

DestinationStopsApprox. time
San Francisco (Historic Centre)3~7 min
El Labrador (northern terminus)5~12 min
Quitumbe (southern terminus)9~22 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.

Frequently asked questions

Does the metro reach the UCE campus directly?
Yes — the station has exits facing the main campus of the Universidad Central del Ecuador. It is under two minutes on foot to the campus gates.
Is the station open during university class hours?
Yes. It runs Monday to Friday 05:30 to 23:00, Saturdays 07:00 to 23:00 and Sundays and public holidays 07:00 to 22:00, covering both morning and evening classes.
Is there a student discount on the Quito Metro?
The $0.22 reduced fare applies to school pupils (generally ages 5 to 17) with valid ID; university students normally pay the standard $0.45. Eligibility rules have changed over time, so check the current terms at the ticket office.
How long does it take from Universidad Central to El Labrador?
About 12 minutes to the northern terminus, stopping at La Pradera, La Carolina, Iñaquito and Jipijapa.
Is El Arbolito park nearby?
Yes — a few minutes on foot from the station, heading into the student quarter. It is a green space popular with students.

Keep exploring

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