What is the name of the subway system in São Paulo, Brazil?

The subway system in São Paulo, Brazil, is the São Paulo Metro.

Usually called the Metrô in Portuguese, it is formally known as Metrô de São Paulo. The system is one of several rail networks serving the city, alongside metropolitan commuter rail operated by CPTM and other concessionaires. That distinction matters: “São Paulo Metro” refers specifically to the rapid-transit system, not every urban railway in the metropolitan region.

Construction began after the Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo was founded in 1968. The first commercial segment opened on September 14, 1974, between Jabaquara and Vila Mariana on what is now Line 1—Blue. The network later expanded with numbered lines, including Line 4—Yellow and the unusual Line 15—Silver monorail.

A common mix-up is Rio de Janeiro Metro, which serves another Brazilian city. São Paulo’s metro is also frequently described simply as “Metrô,” while the broader integrated network includes metro and commuter rail services. Its metro lines use more than one track gauge, reflecting different generations and technologies.