Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Traveling in Venezuela or getting around on a daily basis no longer resembles what one might imagine as a “conventional” transportation network. Between economic crisis, insecurity, spare parts shortages, and local technological initiatives, the system has been profoundly transformed. This practical guide aims to provide a clear, concrete, and nuanced view of what still works, what has collapsed, and the alternative solutions that have emerged on the ground.
Good to Know:
This guide does not aim to encourage travel, as movement is advised against by most governments. It is intended for people already in the country or compelled to go there, explaining the current modes of transportation used by Venezuelans, the main risks to be aware of, and the transport options still in use.
Understanding the Context: A System in Deep Crisis
Before getting into the details of buses, metros, taxis, or apps, it’s important to keep the general framework in mind. Venezuela has been experiencing a major economic and political crisis for years, which directly translates to transportation: hyperinflation, fuel and parts shortages, power outages, high insecurity, and neglected infrastructure.
80
This is the estimated share of national public transportation means that were non-operational as of 2019.
The consequences are very concrete: many residents can no longer afford trips to get to work or simply don’t have a vehicle available. Many walk long distances or give up on certain trips. In this context, the public transport systems that still work become overcrowded, poorly maintained, yet indispensable lifelines.
A Public-Private Mix Gone Chaotic
Historically, over 95% of the urban transport supply relied on private operators: regular buses, minibuses called “por puestos,” jeeps for hillside neighborhoods. The state mainly managed metros, some structured bus networks (Metrobús, BusCaracas, some regional BRTs), and a few railway lines.
Important:
Authorities control fares, preventing private operators from offsetting rising costs, while the latter face shortages of parts and fuel, paralyzing fleets and leading to constant improvisation and negotiations.
For the user, this means a highly varied reality depending on cities, routes, and even times of day. Some connections still function relatively well, others are at a standstill or replaced by improvised solutions – sometimes very dangerous ones.
Security and Mobility: High-Risk Travel
Any travel in Venezuela requires taking security matters seriously. Violent crime is very high; kidnappings, armed robberies, carjackings, or bus attacks are regularly reported. Authorities from several countries advise against any use of public transport, especially urban and intercity buses, street taxis, and certain metro stations.
Tip:
Roads present multiple risks: degraded pavement, insufficient lighting, poorly maintained vehicles, aggressive or intoxicated drivers. Be particularly vigilant for illegal roadblocks set up by criminals. Fake checkpoints, imitating police or the National Guard, are also reported on certain roads, especially near the Colombian border.
The most frequent recommendations are clear: avoid traveling at night, prioritize daytime trips, limit transfers, stick to main routes, and use identified, pre-booked, or locally recommended services as much as possible.
Caracas Metro: A Lifeline on Its Last Legs
Paradoxically, amidst this degraded landscape, the Caracas metro system remains one of the few mass transit tools still widely used, despite severe problems with maintenance, capacity, and safety.
An Essential but Weakened Network
The Caracas Metro, inaugurated in 1983, is the backbone of travel in the capital. With its underground and elevated lines, it connects the main economic, administrative, and university hubs, and avoids the legendary traffic jams in the city. It is estimated that before the crisis worsened, it transported up to two million passengers per day.
The network includes several main lines (1, 2, 3, 4) and an extension to Los Teques, considered an additional line. The exact number of stations and kilometers varies by source and according to operational sections, but it’s about fifty stations for approximately sixty kilometers.
However, the system is severely impacted by underfunding and lack of maintenance:
For Example:
A large part of the train fleet is out of service, with sometimes less than 15% of total trains in circulation. The network is frequently subject to electrical failures, delays, and service interruptions. Furthermore, national power outages can completely paralyze the metro for several days.
In this context, authorities stopped charging passengers starting in 2018. Officially to “evaluate passenger flows,” unofficially because there was no longer foreign currency to import ticket paper. The turnstiles were opened, making the metro de facto free.
How to Use It in Practice
For a foreign or Venezuelan user, the metro often remains the fastest and cheapest means to cross Caracas, provided some safety rules are followed.
The general operation is that of a classic metro: numbered and colored lines, clearly identified stations, transfers at certain hubs (Plaza Venezuela, Zona Rental, El Silencio, etc.). Indicative hours generally run from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays, with slightly reduced hours on weekends.
Practical recommendations are as follows:
Good to Know:
For safe travel, prioritize trips during the day, between the end of the morning rush and the start of the afternoon. Avoid rush hours when trains are packed and theft risks are higher. Keep your bag in front of you, limit visible valuables, and avoid using your phone on crowded trains and platforms. Finally, check locally about stations to avoid or the most problematic sections, as some are known to be more sensitive.
Even weakened, the metro offers a level of structure and predictability that the classic bus network no longer provides. It remains the backbone of urban travel in Caracas.
An Integrated but Decimated Bus Network
The metro also manages a complementary bus network, Metrobús, which connects stations to neighborhoods not served by rail. There are about twenty urban lines and a few suburban lines, theoretically integrated into the fare system.
In practice, this service is also affected by the crisis: lack of vehicles, breakdowns, reduced or erratic routes, closures during protests. During major protests in 2017, for example, nearly twenty Metrobús lines were suspended in the same day.
So, Metrobús should be seen as a bonus when it works, not as a guarantee of service.
Urban and Intercity Buses: From Dense Network to Painful Challenge
Outside of metros, the heart of public transport in Venezuela is buses. Or rather, what’s left of them. There are two main families: urban/regional buses, and long-distance intercity coaches.
Urban Buses and “Por Puestos”: Very Cheap but Very Risky
In cities, service relies on:
– Classic buses (often very old, poorly maintained, even unsafe);
– Minibuses or vans called “por puestos” (or “carritos”) that follow fixed routes but with very flexible schedules.
These means remain extremely cheap, mainly because fares are controlled and the population often cannot afford increases. Official fare adjustments are published in the Official Gazette, but have not kept up with hyperinflation. The result is paradoxical: ridiculous nominal prices in bolivars, but in practice, huge difficulties for operators, and massive use of dollars for longer trips or in border regions.
From a safety standpoint, urban buses are one of the most problematic modes:
Transportation Risks
Main dangers and accessibility issues encountered in the transport network
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is frequent, requiring increased vigilance from travelers.
Insecurity on Certain Routes
Bus attacks by armed groups are reported on certain specific routes.
Lack of Accessibility
Almost total absence of features like ramps or dedicated spaces for wheelchairs.
Dangerous Overcrowding
Vehicle overcrowding, particularly dangerous in poorly served areas.
For a foreign traveler, several sources explicitly recommend avoiding this means of transport as much as possible, especially at night. Locals often have no choice.
“Perreras”: The Solution of Despair
Where buses have completely disappeared, a substitute has emerged: open trucks, flatbeds, or pickups converted into improvised shuttles, called “perreras” (literally “dog cages”). People get in the back, often standing, without adequate handrails or side protections.
These vehicles do not meet any safety standards and are the cause of many accidents. A report presented to the National Assembly attributed at least 55 deaths and 275 injuries to the use of these trucks, with incidents almost daily.
Despite this, some mayors or governors have institutionalized these solutions, issuing special licenses to private vehicles or even using police and army trucks to transport passengers.
Long-Distance Coaches: Still Functional on Main Routes
The picture is somewhat different for intercity buses connecting major cities. There, a few more structured companies continue to operate routes capable of transporting travelers and tourists, with varying levels of comfort. There are still relatively reliable operators on main routes, for example:
– Caracas – Mérida (approximately 12 to 14 hours);
– Caracas – Maracaibo (10 to 12 hours);
– Caracas – Valencia (4 to 6 hours);
– Caracas – Ciudad Bolívar (10 to 12 hours).
Good to Know:
Some companies like Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos, Expresos Occidente, Expresos Los Llanos, or Rodovias de Venezuela are considered more reliable than average. They sometimes offer air-conditioned buses, reclining seats, and even Wi-Fi service.
The fares for these connections, expressed in dollars, are not comparable to the prices of urban buses in bolivars. As an indication, examples of recorded prices are:
| Long-Distance Route | Approximate Duration | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Caracas – Mérida | 12–14 h | 30–40 $ |
| Caracas – Maracaibo | 10–12 h | 30–40 $ |
| Caracas – Valencia | 4–6 h | 15–20 $ |
| Caracas – Ciudad Bolívar | 10–12 h | 30–40 $ |
These prices remain attractive for a tourist, but can be unaffordable for many Venezuelans whose official minimum wage does not exceed a few dozen dollars per month.
Regarding security, night buses are considered particularly risky due to illegal roadblocks and armed gangs on intercity routes. Several sources advise against night travel, despite the economic advantages (saving a hotel night). Police and National Guard checkpoints are frequent and sometimes a source of harassment or requests for informal “contributions.”
Taxis, Mototaxis, and Local Ride-Hailing: From Informal Taxis to Uber-Type Apps
Facing the chaos of the bus network and general insecurity, many residents of large cities turn to more individualized solutions: licensed taxis, private vehicles with drivers, and especially locally created Uber-type apps.
Classic Taxis: To Use with Great Caution
“Traditional” taxis are omnipresent in large cities. In theory, official taxis can be identified by their yellow license plates or belonging to a known company. In practice, the line between legal taxis and private cars operating informally is blurry.
Several recurring problems exist:
– Unofficial taxis hailed on the street, used as a pretext for robberies or express kidnappings;
– Absence of a meter and predictable fare: prices are negotiated before the ride, in dollars or bolivars, depending on the area;
– Overcharging of foreigners, particularly when leaving airports or bus terminals.
It is strongly advised to never hail a random taxi on the street, especially at night. It is better to:
Tip:
For taxi trips, prioritize safety by asking your hotel reception to call a vehicle, using a clearly identified company or radio dispatch, or resorting to a ride-hailing app, an increasingly common option.
Mototaxis, very common in small and medium-sized towns, are even more risky. Driving is often reckless, the passenger has almost no protection, and snatch-and-grab thefts are easier. They are generally not recommended, especially for a foreign visitor.
Local Apps: Yummy Rides, Ridery, Nekso and Others
One of the Venezuelan paradoxes is the rise of modern mobility apps in a country in chronic crisis. Local companies have developed services similar to Uber or Bolt, adapted to the country’s context.
Among the best known:
– Yummy Rides, derived from the delivery app Yummy;
– Ridery, very present in Caracas, Valencia, Maracay, Barquisimeto, and Nueva Esparta;
– Nekso, a pioneer in aggregating radio taxis;
– Lyberi, geared towards tourist transfers, among others;
– Otro Taxi & Delivery, which combines passenger transport, deliveries, moving, roadside assistance, and even ambulances;
– Taxis del Pueblo Venezuela or Vamos, other more recent players.
These platforms have several things in common:
Transport Services
Main features and options offered by the transport app for a comprehensive and flexible user experience
Driver Registration
Driver registration with minimal verification of required documents to ensure reliability and compliance.
Geolocation
Real-time tracking of vehicle location for better trip planning and safety.
Transparent Pricing
Upfront trip cost estimation via the app, no surprises for the user.
Multiple Payment Options
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
