MRT-3 Line Guide: Stations, Fares, and Operating Hours (2026)

The MRT-3 operates along the entire length of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Metro Manila's primary circumferential road and the route of the EDSA Greenways expressway corridor. The line spans 16.9 kilometers with 13 stations connecting three cities: Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay. Average travel time from North Avenue to Taft Avenue is 32 minutes during normal operations. The system uses a standard gauge railway with third-rail electric power supply and operates three-car train sets with a capacity of approximately 1,150 passengers per train. MRT-3 intersects with major expressway access points including the NLEX-EDSA connection at North Avenue, Skyway Stage 3 exits at Boni and Guadalupe, and NAIAX/CAVITEX connections near Taft Avenue station.

The MRT-3 line comprises 13 stations arranged sequentially along EDSA. Each station features elevated platforms accessed by stairs and escalators, with limited elevator access at select stations. Stations are numbered from 1 (North Avenue) to 13 (Taft Avenue) and serve as primary transfer points between bus routes, jeepneys, and other rail lines.

MRT-3 fares are distance-based and range from ₱13 to ₱28 for regular passengers as of February 2026. The fare structure uses a tiered system based on the number of stations traveled. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities receive a 20% discount on all fares when presenting valid IDs. Fares are paid using stored-value Beep cards, which also work on LRT-1, LRT-2, and participating bus routes. Single-journey tickets are no longer available — all passengers must use Beep cards purchased at station ticket booths for ₱50 (₱30 load + ₱20 card deposit).

MRT-3 operates daily from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends and holidays. First trains depart from both terminal stations (North Avenue and Taft Avenue) at 5:00 AM, with the last trains leaving terminals at 10:00 PM on weekdays and 9:30 PM on weekends. Train frequency during peak hours (6:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM) is approximately 3-5 minutes between trains. Off-peak frequency extends to 7-10 minutes between trains. The DOTr occasionally adjusts schedules during holidays, Holy Week, and special events — check official announcements at before traveling during these periods.

The Beep card is the mandatory contactless payment system for MRT-3 and all Metro Manila rail lines. Cards are purchased at ticket booths in any MRT-3 station and can be loaded with amounts from ₱100 to ₱10,000. To use the system, tap your Beep card on the entry gate reader, pass through when the gate opens, ride to your destination, and tap again on the exit gate reader to deduct the appropriate fare. The card balance displays on the reader screen after each tap. Insufficient balance prevents exit — reload at any station's load kiosk or ticket booth before attempting to exit.

1. 1

   Purchase Beep Card

   Buy a Beep card at any MRT-3 station ticket booth for ₱50 (includes ₱30 initial load and ₱20 refundable card deposit).

2. 2

   Load Your Card

   Add load at ticket booths (cash only) or automated loading kiosks (cash/GCash). Minimum load is ₱100, maximum stored value is ₱10,000.

3. 3

   Tap to Enter

   At the entry gate, tap your Beep card on the card reader. Wait for the green light and gate to open, then proceed to the platform.

4. 4

   Board and Ride

   Board the next arriving train. During peak hours, expect crowded conditions — move to the center of the car to allow others to board.

5. 5

   Tap to Exit

   At your destination station, tap your Beep card on the exit gate reader. The fare is automatically deducted and the gate opens. Check the screen for your remaining balance.

Five MRT-3 stations provide direct access to expressway entry and exit points, making them strategic park-and-ride locations for motorists who want to avoid EDSA traffic congestion. North Avenue station connects to the NLEX-EDSA interchange, allowing Bulacan and Pampanga motorists to park at nearby malls (TriNoma, SM North EDSA) and ride the MRT-3 into Makati or BGC. Ortigas, Boni, Guadalupe, and Buendia stations all sit near Skyway Stage 3 exits — motorists from the south (Laguna, Cavite via SLEX/Skyway) can exit at these points, park at nearby establishments, and continue via MRT-3. Magallanes station is 800 meters from the Skyway Magallanes exit, while Taft Avenue station connects to the NAIAX expressway serving airport-bound passengers. This park-and-ride strategy saves ₱200-400 in fuel costs compared to driving the full EDSA stretch during rush hour.

MRT-3 experiences severe overcrowding during weekday peak hours (6:00-9:00 AM southbound, 5:00-8:00 PM northbound) with platform queues extending 30-45 minutes at major stations like North Avenue, Cubao, Ortigas, and Ayala. The system operates at 120-150% capacity during these periods despite the DOTr's ongoing rehabilitation program. To minimize wait times, travel before 6:00 AM or after 9:00 AM for morning trips, and before 5:00 PM or after 8:00 PM for evening trips. Tuesdays through Thursdays typically see the heaviest ridership. The Priority Lane system gives pregnant women, senior citizens, PWDs, and passengers with children access to dedicated train cars — present valid ID or proof of condition to security personnel at platform entry points.

All 13 MRT-3 stations feature air-conditioned ticketing areas, restrooms (₱5 fee at most stations), and convenience stores or food kiosks. Select stations offer additional amenities: North Avenue has the largest commercial area with restaurants and retail shops; Cubao connects directly to Araneta City mall complex and Gateway Mall; Ortigas links to SM Megamall via elevated walkway; Shaw Boulevard connects to Shangri-La Plaza and Starmall EDSA-Shaw; Ayala station has direct access to Ayala Center via footbridge; Taft Avenue connects to LRT-1 for transfers to Manila and Baclaran. Elevator access for PWDs and senior citizens is available at North Avenue, Cubao, Ortigas, Ayala, and Taft Avenue stations — other stations require stair or escalator use. Free Wi-Fi is available at all stations but connection quality varies..

Security screening is mandatory at all MRT-3 station entrances. Bags pass through X-ray machines and passengers walk through metal detectors. Prohibited items include firearms and weapons (unless carried by authorized personnel with permits), explosives and flammable materials, sharp objects longer than 3 inches, alcoholic beverages in open containers, durian fruit (due to strong odor), and pets (except certified service animals). Folding bicycles are allowed if bagged or covered and carried during off-peak hours only. Oversized luggage exceeding 2 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet is prohibited during peak hours (6:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM). Security personnel may refuse entry to intoxicated passengers or those causing disturbances. The inspection process adds 2-5 minutes to entry time during peak hours.

MRT-3 connects to two other Metro Manila rail systems at specific stations. Araneta Center-Cubao station links to LRT-2 Araneta Center-Cubao station via a 150-meter elevated walkway — this connection allows transfers to Santolan (east) or Recto (west) destinations. The walkway is covered but not air-conditioned and requires an additional Beep card tap for LRT-2 entry. Taft Avenue station connects to LRT-1 EDSA-Taft Avenue station at ground level — exit MRT-3, cross Taft Avenue via the pedestrian overpass, and enter LRT-1 on the opposite side. This transfer takes 5-8 minutes and allows travel to Baclaran (south) or Roosevelt (north). Both transfers require separate fare payments — there is no integrated through-ticketing system as of February 2026. Total transfer time including walking and re-entry queuing averages 10-15 minutes during off-peak hours and 20-30 minutes during peak periods.

MRT-3 provides priority lanes, discounted fares, and dedicated train cars for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens. The Priority Lane at each station allows faster entry — present a valid PWD ID or senior citizen card to security personnel. PWDs and seniors receive a 20% fare discount automatically when using registered Beep cards (register at any ticket booth with valid ID). The first car of every train is designated as the Priority Car for PWDs, pregnant women, senior citizens, and passengers with small children — violators face ₱500-1,000 fines but enforcement is inconsistent. Elevator access is available at 5 of 13 stations: North Avenue, Cubao, Ortigas, Ayala, and Taft Avenue. Stations without elevators require wheelchair users to request assistance from station personnel who will coordinate with staff at the destination station.. Tactile paving for visually impaired passengers is installed at all platforms but audio announcements are inconsistent.

The DOTr's MRT-3 rehabilitation program, ongoing since 2019, aims to restore the system to its designed capacity of 650,000 passengers per day. As of February 2026, the program has delivered refurbished train sets from Japan and upgraded signaling systems to reduce headway times. The complete rehabilitation is scheduled for completion in. Proposed expansions include an MRT-3 extension from North Avenue to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan (17 kilometers, 8 new stations) and a southern extension from Taft Avenue to Bacoor, Cavite via Coastal Road (15 kilometers, 6 new stations). Both extensions are in the planning phase with no confirmed construction timelines or budgets as of early 2026. The extensions would connect MRT-3 to NLEX (north) and CAVITEX (south) expressway systems, creating a 50-kilometer rail corridor along Metro Manila's western edge.