LRT-2 Line Guide: Stations, Fares, Routes & Expressway Connections (2026)

LRT-2 runs from Recto Station in Manila (westernmost) to Antipolo Station in Rizal (easternmost), covering 13.8 kilometers with 13 stations. The line traverses four cities: Manila, San Juan, Pasig, and Marikina, plus the municipality of Cainta and city of Antipolo in Rizal. Travel time from end to end takes approximately 35-40 minutes during normal operations. The line operates entirely elevated, with no underground sections, providing views of Metro Manila's eastern corridor. LRT-2 intersects with LRT-1 at Recto/Doroteo Jose stations (requires exit and short walk) and connects to MRT-3 at Araneta Center-Cubao via a pedestrian walkway.

LRT-2's 13 stations are numbered sequentially from west (Recto) to east (Antipolo). Each station serves specific neighborhoods and commercial districts, with varying passenger volumes. Recto, Legarda, and Cubao are the busiest stations due to university presence (Recto near FEU/UE, Legarda near PUP) and mall connections (Cubao at Gateway/Ali Mall). Santolan, Katipunan, and Antipolo stations offer park-and-ride facilities for motorists. Station codes are used on signage and announcements — Recto is R1, Antipolo is R13. All stations have elevators and escalators, though availability varies by maintenance schedules.

LRT-2 uses a distance-based fare system ranging from ₱15 (1-5 km) to ₱30 (11+ km). Fares are collected via Beep card — single journey tickets are not available on LRT-2 as of 2024. The fare structure is set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and was last adjusted in January 2024. Students, senior citizens, and PWDs receive a 20% discount when using registered Beep cards. Children below 3 feet in height ride free. All fares are deducted automatically upon tap-out at the destination station.

LRT-2 operates Monday to Sunday from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last train departs terminal at 9:30 PM). During peak hours (6:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM), trains run every 5-7 minutes. Off-peak frequency is 10-15 minutes. On Sundays and holidays, frequency extends to 12-15 minutes throughout the day. Service may be temporarily suspended during typhoons or flooding — check the official LRTA Facebook page for real-time advisories. The line has historically experienced more frequent breakdowns compared to MRT-3 or LRT-1, with average delays of 15-30 minutes during technical issues.

Beep card is the only payment method accepted on LRT-2. The card costs ₱100 (₱80 stored value + ₱20 card fee, non-refundable). Cards are sold at LRT-2 ticket booths at all stations. You can load Beep cards at station booths (₱100-1,000 denominations), 7-Eleven stores nationwide (₱100-500), or online via GCash/PayMaya apps. Cards have no expiry date and work across LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, P2P buses, and selected provincial buses. Registration for discounts (student/senior/PWD) requires ID submission at LRTA customer service centers.

1. 1

   Buy Beep card at any LRT-2 station

   Go to ticket booth, pay ₱100 (₱80 usable balance + ₱20 card fee). Card is activated immediately.

2. 2

   Load your card

   At station booths (₱100-1,000), 7-Eleven (₱100-500), or GCash/PayMaya app. Minimum load ₱100.

3. 3

   Tap to enter

   Tap card on turnstile reader. Green light = successful entry. Red light = insufficient balance.

4. 4

   Tap to exit

   Tap at destination station. Fare is automatically deducted. Check remaining balance on display.

LRT-2 serves as a park-and-ride option for motorists heading to expressways. Katipunan Station (R10) is 2.1 km from the NLEX Connector Mindanao Avenue entry point — a 5-minute drive via Commonwealth Avenue. Santolan Station (R11) connects to C-5 Road, which leads to SLEX Kalayaan Avenue entry (12.3 km south) or NLEX Connector Tandang Sora (8.7 km north). Antipolo Station (R13) is 8.4 km from SLEX via Marcos Highway and C-5. For southbound SLEX traffic, park at Antipolo/Santolan, ride to Cubao, transfer to MRT-3 southbound to Magallanes, then taxi/jeep to SLEX Magallanes entry. Total time: 60-75 minutes vs 90-120 minutes driving in rush hour traffic.

Three LRT-2 stations offer official park-and-ride facilities: Katipunan, Santolan, and Antipolo. Parking rates are ₱40 per day (24 hours) at Santolan and ₱50 per day at Antipolo. Katipunan has limited slots (50 spaces) at ₱40/day, often full by 7:00 AM on weekdays. Santolan has the largest capacity at 200+ slots. All facilities are open-air, unsecured parking — theft and break-ins have been reported. Motorcycles can park for ₱20/day. No overnight parking is officially allowed, but enforcement is inconsistent. Commercial parking lots near stations (e.g., Robinsons Metro East near Santolan) charge ₱60-80/day with better security.

LRT-2 stations have X-ray scanners and bag checks at all entry points. Prohibited items include firearms, explosives, flammable liquids (including gasoline in containers), sharp objects over 6 inches, and large luggage exceeding 2 feet in any dimension. Folding bicycles are allowed if fully folded and carried (not wheeled). Food and drinks are prohibited inside trains but allowed on platforms. Smoking, vaping, and eating inside trains result in ₱500-1,000 fines. Security personnel can refuse entry or eject passengers violating rules. Durian fruit is explicitly banned due to odor complaints.

All 13 LRT-2 stations are equipped with elevators and escalators for PWD, senior citizen, and passenger convenience. However, elevator outages occur frequently — expect 2-3 stations with non-functional elevators on any given day. PWD lanes at ticket booths and turnstiles are available at all stations. Tactile paving for visually impaired passengers is installed at platform edges. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available at Recto, Cubao, Santolan, and Antipolo stations only. Priority seating (blue seats) is designated in all trains but enforcement is minimal. Pregnant women, seniors, and PWDs should board via the first or last car where priority seats are concentrated.

LRT-2 experiences technical delays 2-3 times weekly, typically during peak hours. Trains are older (Gen 1 rolling stock from 2003) and more breakdown-prone than MRT-3's newer units. During breakdowns, expect 15-30 minute delays or partial line suspensions. Airconditioning failures are common, especially in summer (March-May). Pickpocketing is most frequent at Recto, Cubao, and Santolan during rush hour — keep bags in front and phones secured. Beep card readers malfunction occasionally — always carry ₱100 cash for emergency reload. The line is less crowded than MRT-3 but still reaches 120-150% capacity during peak hours. Board at the front or rear cars for slightly more space.

1. 1

   Avoid peak hours if possible

   6:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM see 120-150% capacity. Travel at 10 AM-4 PM for seats.

2. 2

   Follow LRTA Facebook for real-time alerts

   Breakdowns and suspensions are announced 5-10 minutes after occurrence.

3. 3

   Keep Beep card balance above ₱50

   Prevents tap-out failures. Reload at 7-Eleven if station booths have lines.

4. 4

   Secure belongings in crowded trains

   Pickpockets target Recto, Cubao, Santolan. Bags in front, phones in front pockets.

LRT-2 is best for east-west travel across Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Pasig, and Rizal. Use LRT-2 if your origin/destination is along Aurora Blvd, Marcos Highway, or Marikina/Antipolo areas. MRT-3 is faster and more reliable for north-south EDSA corridor travel (Quezon City to Makati/Taguig). LRT-1 serves Manila's western corridor (Baclaran to Quezon City via Taft/Rizal Ave). For Makati-bound trips from eastern Metro Manila, take LRT-2 to Cubao, transfer to MRT-3 southbound. For Manila destinations from Rizal, LRT-2 is the only rail option. LRT-2 has fewer passengers than MRT-3 (200k vs 400k daily) but older trains mean more frequent delays.

The LRT-2 East Extension to Masinag, Antipolo (4.2 km, 2 stations) was originally scheduled for 2024 completion but has been delayed to 2026-2027 due to right-of-way issues. The extension will add Emerald and Masinag stations, bringing the total line length to 18 km. A proposed West Extension from Recto to Pier 4 in Manila (1.5 km, 2 stations) remains in planning stages with no confirmed timeline. The Department of Transportation announced a fleet modernization program in 2025 to replace Gen 1 trains (2003-2004 models) with new rolling stock by 2028, which should reduce breakdown frequency. Fare increases are expected in 2027 as part of the DOTr's cost recovery program.