Quick answer — Namma Metro has 83 operational stations across 96.1 km as of 2026, making it India’s second-largest metro after Delhi. Fares run from ₹10 to ₹60. Trains run 5 AM to 11 PM. The Purple Line connects Whitefield to Challaghatta (43 km). The Green Line runs Nagasandra to Silk Institute (30 km). The Yellow Line (RV Road to Bommasandra) and Pink Line are under active construction, with the Airport Metro line expected to open mid-2026.
Namma Metro — ‘Our Metro’ in Kannada — is not just a transit system anymore. For the nearly 700,000 daily riders who use it, it is the single most reliable way to move across a city where road traffic can turn a 10-km commute into a 90-minute ordeal. I’ve watched this network grow from a handful of stations in 2011 to 83 stations in 2026, and the transformation it has brought to daily life in Bangalore is profound.
This guide gives you every verified fact about Namma Metro in 2026 lines, stations, fares, timings, Smart Card tips, parking, and the latest expansion updates so you can plan your commute with confidence.
To know more about bangalore : Why Is Bangalore Called Silicon City?
Namma Metro Key Facts at a Glance
- Network size: 96.1 km operational, 83 stations (as of August 2025) — India’s 2nd largest metro
- Daily ridership: ~700,000 passengers (April 2025 average)
- Operator: Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) — joint venture of Government of India and Karnataka
- Launched: 20 October 2011 (first section, Purple Line)
- First metro in South India: Yes — and also the first underground metro in South India (2016)
- Fares: ₹10 to ₹60 depending on distance
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
- Smart Card discount: 5% off every journey
Namma Metro Lines 2026 Status
Purple Line (East–West) 43 km, Operational
The Purple Line is the backbone of the network, connecting Whitefield (Kadugodi) in the east to Challaghatta in the west across 27 stations. It passes through Whitefield, ITPL, Indiranagar, Halasuru, Trinity, MG Road, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Majestic, City Railway Station, and Kengeri. For IT workers commuting from Whitefield to the CBD or Majestic, this line has cut travel time from 60–90 minutes by road to a predictable 40–45 minutes. Insider tip: MG Road and Trinity stations on the Purple Line are underground, making them significantly cooler in summer a welcome relief during Bangalore’s March May heat. The underground section between Cubbon Park and Magadi Road is the deepest stretch of the network.Green Line (North–South) 30 km, Operational
The Green Line runs north to south from Nagasandra to Silk Institute (Yelachenahalli), passing through Peenya, Yeshwanthpur, Rajajinagar, Majestic, KR Market, Lalbagh, Jayanagar, Banashankari, and JP Nagar across 30 stations. This is the essential line for residents of South Bangalore Jayanagar, JP Nagar, and Banashankari — who need to reach Majestic or the industrial north.Yellow Line (RV Road to Bommasandra) Under Construction
The Yellow Line is the most anticipated new corridor, running 19 km from RV Road through Jayanagar, BTM Layout, and Electronic City to Bommasandra. It directly serves the Electronic City tech cluster home to Infosys, Wipro, and dozens of other major IT employers. When fully operational, it will eliminate one of Bangalore’s most notoriously congested commute routes. Partial sections are expected to open in 2026.Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara) Expected May 2026
The 21-km Pink Line connecting Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north is expected to open by May 2026, according to BMRCL. This line will serve Koramangala, HSR Layout, Indiranagar, and Hebbal some of Bangalore’s densest residential and commercial corridors.Airport Metro Line — Expected Late 2026
The most eagerly awaited expansion is the 58.19-km Airport Metro line (Phases 2A and 2B) running from Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport via Hebbal and Yelahanka. Funded partly by a $500 million Asian Development Bank loan, it will have 32 stations and cut airport travel time to under 45 minutes from most parts of the city. Construction is in advanced stages as of early 2026.Namma Metro Fare Chart 2026
- Up to 2 km: ₹10
- 2 to 4 km: ₹20
- 4 to 6 km: ₹30
- 6 to 10 km: ₹40
- 10 to 18 km: ₹50
- Above 18 km: ₹60
- Children below 3: Free
- Smart Card: 5% discount on all journeys
- Monthly pass: From ₹1,500 for regular commuters
Namma Metro Timings — 2026
- First train: 5:00 AM from terminal stations on all operational lines
- Last train: 11:00 PM (trains depart terminal stations and reach final stop by ~11:30 PM)
- Peak hours frequency: Every 3–5 minutes (8–10 AM and 5:30–8:30 PM)
- Off-peak frequency: Every 7–10 minutes
- Weekends: Same hours, slightly lower frequency during non-peak times
Smart Card, Tickets & Payment
The Smart Card is the single best investment for any regular Namma Metro commuter. A ₹50 refundable deposit gets you a card you can top up at any station vending machine, the BMRCL app, or via UPI. The 5% automatic discount adds up — for a commuter spending ₹1,500 a month on fares, this saves ₹75 per month or ₹900 per year for zero effort. Namma Metro also supports NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) — a single card that works on metro systems across India. If you travel frequently between cities with metro systems (Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai), an NCMC card means one fewer thing to manage.Namma Metro Airport Connectivity — 2026
Until the Airport Metro Line opens, the most reliable way to get from the metro to the airport is the BMTC Vayu Vajra Flybus service. Buses depart from Majestic (Kempegowda Station) and Yeshwanthpur metro stations. The journey takes 60–75 minutes depending on traffic, and tickets cost ₹250–₹320 with luggage. For the Whitefield side, BMTC operates direct airport services from the Whitefield area. Ola and Uber airport rides from metro hubs typically cost ₹700–₹1,200 depending on traffic and time of day. Important 2026 update: The Airport Metro Line Phase 2A is under advanced construction and expected to open before the end of 2026. Once operational, it will connect Hebbal Metro Station (on the upcoming Pink Line) all the way to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport.Parking at Metro Stations
Several metro stations offer paid park-and-ride facilities for both two-wheelers and cars. Popular park-and-ride stations include Baiyappanahalli, Whitefield (Kadugodi), Yeshwanthpur, Nagasandra, and Silk Institute. Rates are typically ₹10–₹25 for two-wheelers and ₹30–₹60 for cars per day. Weekend usage tends to be lower, making these stations ideal starting points for weekend outings. For last-mile connectivity from metro stations, Bounce and Yulu electric scooter rentals are available at several stations, including Indiranagar, Koramangala-adjacent stops, and Whitefield. This combination of a metro and electric scooter is the most affordable and fastest commute option for many Bangalore professionals.Frequently Asked Questions — Namma Metro 2026
Q1: What is the total length and number of stations of Namma Metro in 2026?
As of 2026, Namma Metro has 96.1 km of operational track across 83 stations, making it India’s second-largest metro network after Delhi Metro. The Purple Line covers 43 km and the Green Line 30 km. The Yellow and Pink Lines are under construction.Q2: What are the fares for Namma Metro in 2026?
Fares range from ₹10 (up to 2 km) to ₹60 (above 18 km). Smart Card users get a 5% automatic discount on every trip. Monthly passes start from ₹1,500. Children below 3 travel free.Q3: What time does Namma Metro start and end?
First trains depart terminal stations at 5:00 AM. Last trains depart at 11:00 PM. During peak hours (8–10 AM and 5:30–8:30 PM) trains run every 3–5 minutes. Off-peak frequency is 7–10 minutes.Q4: Does Namma Metro go to Bangalore Airport?
Not yet directly. The Airport Metro Line (58 km, 32 stations) connecting Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport is under construction and expected to open in 2026. Until then, BMTC Vayu Vajra Flybus services connect from Majestic and Yeshwanthpur metro stations to the airport in 60–75 minutes.Q5: How much does a Namma Metro Smart Card cost?
A Smart Card costs ₹50 as a refundable deposit, plus your initial top-up amount. It gives a 5% automatic discount on every journey, lets you skip token vending machine queues, and can be recharged via the BMRCL app or any station counter.Q6: Which Namma Metro station connects to the railway station?
Kempegowda Metro Station (Majestic) connects to KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station (Bangalore City Junction) and is the interchange between the Purple and Green Lines. It is the most important hub in the entire Namma Metro network.About L K Monu Borkala
L.K. Monu Borkala is an emerging content writer with expertise in Education. For More details click here.
