While you can always ask your family members or best friends to give you a lift, it’s not exactly a reliable solution if you need to get around the city on a daily basis. You can also book rides on ride-hailing apps for a more comfortable journey, but they can bore a hole in your wallet if you do it every day to and from work.
Commuter problems are real. If you’re from Manila and looking for other modes of transportation, why not take the LRT-2? Admittedly, it does have its fair share of glitches and long queues, but it's still an affordable alternative.
If you’re not sure which LRT-2 stations are closest to where you live or work, here’s a quick guide to help you out.
LRT-2 Stations List in Order
What are the stations of LRT-2? Check out this list below to plan your journeys and enjoy a hassle-free ride.
📍 Antipolo
Photo: Light Rail Transit Authority - LRT2 (Facebook)
Antipolo is the LRT-2’s eastern terminus and the first operational LRT station outside Metro Manila. You can find it along the Marikina-Infanta Highway near the Sumulong Highway intersection in Antipolo. It’s connected to SM City Masinag and just a two- or three-minute walk away from the East Gate Business Center and Terminal Center.
Nearby landmarks:
- Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center
- Cornel Medical Center
- Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
- Residential subdivisions like Golden Meadows Executive Village, Kingsville Executive Village, Filinvest East Homes, and Vermont Park Executive Village
📍 Marikina-Pasig
The Marikina-Pasig LRT-2 station is also situated on the Marikina-Infanta Highway, close to the tripoint boundary of Metro Manila, Pasig, Rizal, and Cainta. This LRT station near the Gil Fernando and Felix Avenue intersections in San Roque, Marikina, is named after the two cities it straddles.
Nearby landmarks:
- Robinsons Metro East
- Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
- Sta. Lucia Residences
📍 Santolan
The Santolan LRT-2 Station is located in Calumpang, Marikina, on the Marikina-Infanta Highway near the Pasig boundary. It’s the only LRT-2 station with an island platform and is closest to the LRT-2’s Operations Control Center and the Santolan Depot, where the LRT trains are maintained.
Nearby landmarks:
- Marikina River
- SM City Marikina
- Riverbanks Center
- BFCT East Metro Manila Transport Terminal
- College of Arts and Sciences of Asia and the Pacific
- Bali Oasis
📍 Katipunan
Katipunan is the only underground LRT-2 station. It’s located on Katipunan Avenue in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Students commuting to the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and Miriam College alight at this station.
Aside from the LRT-2, a subway station will also be built in this area, under the Metro Manila Subway Line 9. But it will be located on the other end of Katipunan Avenue, close to Camp Aguinaldo.
Nearby landmarks:
- UP Diliman
- Ateneo de Manila University
- Miriam College
- Camp Atienza
- Philippine School of Business Administration
📍 Anonas
Located on Anonas Street in Quezon City, the Anonas LRT-2 Station is the fifth stop from Antipolo and the ninth if you’re from Recto. This elevated station is conveniently located near jeepney and tricycle terminals. Buses also ply Anonas Street 24/7.
Nearby landmarks:
- Anonas City Center (Family Mart)
- World Citi Medical Center
- Saint Joseph Parish
- Saint Joseph Catholic School
- Technological Institute of the Philippines
- Hi-Top Supermart
📍 Araneta Center-Cubao
Named after Araneta City in Cubao where it is located, the Araneta Center-Cubao station is another elevated station on the LRT-2 line. It has two main platforms serving the eastbound and westbound systems.
Because of its strategic location, it’s also a major transportation hub and transit point. Commuters from the MRT access this station via a walkway through the Gateway Mall. Jeepneys and buses, including provincial buses, also head to this station to drop off passengers traveling to the metro.
Nearby landmarks:
- Gateway Mall
- Smart Araneta Coliseum
- Farmers Plaza
📍 Betty Go-Belmonte
Photo: Light Rail Transit Authority - LRT2 (Facebook)
The Betty Go-Belmonte Station is located in New Manila, Quezon City, and named after the late journalist, publisher, and wife of Former Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Compared to the other LRT-2 stations, Betty Go-Belmonte is one of the least busy stations on the LRT-2.
Nearby landmarks:
- Kalayaan College
- Cubao Cathedral
- Religious of the Virgin Mary Motherhouse
- Holy Buddhist Temple
📍 Gilmore
Gilmore Station is located in New Manila, Quezon City, close to Gilmore Avenue. It’s named after Eugene Allen Gilmore, who served as Vice Governor-General of the Philippines in the 1920s.
You can alight at this station if you’re commuting to St. Luke’s Medical Center, Broadway Centrum, or Greenhills Shopping Center. They’re only a few minutes away by jeep, taxi, or Grab.
Nearby landmarks:
- Robinsons Magnolia
- Gilmore I.T. Center
- Saint Paul University Quezon City
- Aurora Garden Plaza
- SYKES Asia, Inc.
📍 J. Ruiz
This LRT-2 station is located on J. Ruiz Street in San Juan. It’s the fifth station from Recto. It got its name from Juan Ruiz, a Katipunero who joined the siege of El Polvorin, the location of the Pinaglabanan Shrine.
Nearby landmarks:
- San Juan City Hall
- San Juan Medical Center
- Pinaglabanan Shrine
- St. John the Baptist Church
📍 V. Mapa
The V. Mapa LRT-2 station is located on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard near the V. Mapa Street intersection in Santa Mesa, Manila. Its location allows it to serve Santa Mesa, San Juan, Manila, and Quezon City commuters.
Nearby landmarks:
- SM City Santa Mesa
- Hotel Sogo Santa Mesa
- Mezza Residences
- DormTel Santa Mesa
- University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
📍 Pureza
The Pureza LRT-2 station is located on Pureza Street in Santa Mesa, Manila. Students from the University of Santo Tomas usually take this station and then take a jeep headed for Tayuman. Also close by is a Philippine National Railways station and the P.U.P. Pasig River Ferry Station.
Nearby landmarks:
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Catholic School
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST)
- Puregold Jr. Pureza
📍 Legarda
Photo: Light Rail Transit Authority - LRT2 (Facebook)
The Legarda LRT-2 station is on Legarda Street in Sampaloc, Manila. It’s named after Filipino legislator Benito Legarda. As it’s close to the University Belt area, many students access this station to get to the University of the East, San Sebastian College, Centro Escolar University, La Consolacion College, College of the Holy Spirit, San Beda University, and University of Santo Tomas.
Nearby landmarks:
- San Beda University
- One Legarda Residences
- Legarda Suites
- Youniversity Laperal Suites
📍 Recto
Currently the western terminus of the LRT-2 line, Recto Station on Recto Avenue is centrally located in Quiapo and Santa Cruz’s education and shopping districts. It’s also a transfer point for passengers from the Doroteo Jose LRT-1 station.
Nearby landmarks:
- Isetann Cinerama Complex
- Raon Shopping Center
- QQ Mall
- Cartimar
- Arranque Market
To help you visualize the areas the train traverses, check out the LRT-2 stations map below:
Map: Light Rail Transit Authority website
Wondering about the extension project? New LRT-2 stations, including Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4 on Radial Road 10, are expected to be completed by 2026 once the ₱8 billion budget for its construction is released.[1]
LRT 2 Stations: FAQs
1. What’s the difference between the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT?
The differences are mainly their routes and the companies that run them. LRT-1 has a north-to-south route while LRT-2 follows an east-to-west route. The MRT-3 traverses EDSA.
Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit Authority owns and operates the LRT-2. Light Rail Manila Corporation is a consortium of companies (Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation) that handles the operations and maintenance of the LRT-1. Lastly, the Metro Rail Transit Corporation owns the MRT-3.
Related reading:
- LRT-1 Stations List in Order From Baclaran to Fernando Poe Jr.
- MRT Stations List in Order from Taft Avenue to North Avenue
2. What are the LRT-2 station’s operating hours?
The LRT-2 stations schedule starts at 5 a.m. daily. Meanwhile, the last trip from Antipolo Station departs at 9 p.m., while the last trip from Recto Station departs at 9:30 p.m.
3. What are the types of tickets commuters can buy?
You can buy the contactless smart card (Single Journey Ticket or Stored Value Card) also used in LRT-1 and MRT-3, or get a reloadable beep™ card.
4. How much is the fare at LRT-2 stations?
The minimum boarding fee ₱13.29. There’s an additional fee of ₱1.21 for every kilometer traveled.[2]
For Stored Value or beep™ cards, the minimum fare is ₱14. The maximum fare (from Recto to Antipolo) is ₱33.
Meanwhile, the minimum fare for Single Journey Tickets is ₱15. The maximum fare is ₱35.
5. How do you buy LRT-2 tickets?
Buying your ticket is fast and easy. Just make sure you have cash (paper bills) with you.
- Proceed to any Ticket Vending Machine in the LRT-2 station and choose Single Journey Ticket from the options.
- Tap your destination from the LRT-2 stations list. It will show how much you need to pay for your fare.
- Tap Confirm and then insert your paper bill in the slot.
- Collect your ticket and change, if any.
6. How do you reload your LRT-2 Stored Value or beep™ card?
- Place your card on the sensor or scanner and choose your reload amount.
- Tap Add Value.
- Insert the bill or coins (₱20, ₱50, or ₱100 bills or ₱1, ₱5 or ₱10 coins). Only insert the exact amount, as the machine does not dispense change. Tap OK.
- You will see the message Transaction Successful. Remove your card
- Tap OK to finish your transaction.
Further reading:
- BGC Bus Routes Guide: How to Conveniently Commute in BGC
- Hassle-Free Commute? Here are P2P Schedules for Provinces Near NCR
Final Thoughts
Getting out and about in Manila is easy if you know your LRT-2 stations and their transfer points. With the LRT-2, you have a faster and more affordable transportation option to your destination.
Just be prepared to do a bit of walking and stair-climbing—but that's good cardio exercise anyway!
Sources:
- [1] LRT-2 west extension needs P8B add’l budget (Malaya Business Insight, 2023)
- [2] LRT-2 Fare Adjustment (Light Rail Transit Authority, 2023)
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