The Lagos Red Line train gives you a rail option between Agbado and Oyingbo, with stops at major mainland areas such as Ikeja, Oshodi and Yaba. The key thing to know before setting out: the published weekday timetable lists a small number of departures, not trains every few minutes.
The route and stations are confirmed, but fares and service details can change. Check LAMATA’s latest information before you travel, then plan how you’ll get to and from the station.
Key Takeaways
- The operating route runs about 27 km between Agbado and Oyingbo.
- There are eight stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo.
- LAMATA’s published timetable lists weekday service, with nine scheduled trains a day across both directions.
- The timetable names Cowry Card as the payment method, but check station instructions before travelling.
- Treat fare figures found online as guides, not confirmed current prices.
Lagos Red Line Train Route and Stations
The Red Line runs between Agbado and Oyingbo, linking parts of Lagos State with communities near the Ogun State border. It’s useful when your trip begins and ends near the rail corridor. You’ll still need a road connection if your home, office or destination is far from a station.
In travel order from Agbado, the operating stations are:
Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo.
LAMATA’s timetable covers this Agbado to Oyingbo service. Its broader Train Services page also describes a proposed 37 km route to Marina with 12 proposed stations. That is a planned alignment, not the current Red Line passenger route.
Choosing a Station
Check the station closest to both ends of your journey. For example, Ikeja and Oshodi are stops on the Red Line, but a journey to a nearby address may still involve a walk, bus or taxi.
If your route does not fit the Red Line corridor, compare other transport options before leaving. This Lagos transportation guide can help you weigh rail, buses and other connections.
Red Line and Blue Line Are Different Routes
The Red Line runs between Agbado and Oyingbo. The Blue Line operates on a separate corridor between Marina and Mile 2. Don’t assume that a station or fare rule for one line applies to the other. For a rail comparison, see the Lagos Blue Line route and fares.
Red Line Operating Days and Train Times
LAMATA’s published Red Line timetable lists Monday to Friday service, with nine scheduled departures a day across both directions. The trains are spaced across morning and evening periods, so check the actual departure time rather than assuming you can arrive at any hour and board soon after.
The timetable lists a service window of 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for trains heading north from Oyingbo, and 6:15 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. heading south from Agbado. These windows do not mean trains run continuously throughout those hours.
Oyingbo to Agbado
The listed departures from Oyingbo are 6:00 a.m., 8:10 a.m., 5:20 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. These times may suit an early start or an evening trip, but there are long gaps between some trains.
Agbado to Oyingbo
From Agbado, the published departures are 6:15 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 6:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. There is no regular short-interval service shown in the timetable.
Check LAMATA’s Red Line weekday timetable on your travel day. The published schedule is for weekdays; confirm any weekend or public-holiday service through official channels before relying on it.
Tickets, Cowry Card and Red Line Fares
LAMATA named the Cowry Card as the payment method when it announced full passenger operations. Its launch notice said commercial passenger service would begin on 15 October 2024, following earlier limited passenger trips. The official launch notice provides the launch details.
That gives you a confirmed payment reference, but it does not settle every station procedure. The information available does not confirm that every station accepts cash, bank cards, mobile transfers or QR payments. Follow the current instructions at the station.
What Has Been Reported About Fares
Fare figures online have changed over time. LAMATA’s 2025 update reported that the full Agbado to Oyingbo fare had been reduced from ₦1,500 to ₦1,000, with zonal fares also introduced. Treat those amounts as dated reports, not a guarantee of the price you’ll pay in October 2026.
A current fare table was not confirmed in the information available for this guide. Check the fare displayed at the station or ask LAMATA through an official channel before budgeting. You can also compare other current transport costs in this guide to Lagos bus fares by route.
Getting Ready to Pay
Before boarding, check your start and end stations, then confirm the required payment method and current fare. If you already have a Cowry Card, follow the station’s instructions for using it. If you need a card or need to add value, ask station staff where to do so.
Don’t assume that a mobile wallet or bank transfer will work at every station. Keep any payment record or receipt until you’ve completed your trip.
Planning a Trip on the Red Line
Rail can help you avoid road congestion on the station-to-station part of your journey. It does not take you door to door. Include the trip to your first station and the connection from your final station when you compare the Red Line with a bus, taxi or ride-hailing trip.
Before leaving, confirm the following:
- Which Red Line station is closest to your destination?
- What time does the train leave in your direction?
- How will you reach the station and continue after you get off?
- What payment method and fare are currently accepted?
Allow time for the station approach and any transfer. That matters most when your departure has a long gap before the next scheduled train. If your destination is not near an active station, a direct road connection may be more practical.
What to Confirm Before You Travel
Train times, fares and service notices can change. Public holidays, maintenance, special events or other service changes may affect your plans. Check LAMATA’s current schedule and announcements before setting out, especially if you have a time-sensitive appointment.
The published operating route is Agbado to Oyingbo. Don’t plan around the proposed Agbado to Marina alignment unless LAMATA confirms that the extension is open to passengers. A route listed as proposed is not an active service.
For a trip with a connection, verify both parts of the journey. A train may get you across the rail corridor, but a bus or taxi may still be needed for the final leg. Check current fares for each part rather than relying on an old screenshot or a fare quoted for another line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Red Line Run Every Day?
LAMATA’s published timetable lists Monday to Friday departures. It does not show a weekend schedule in the timetable cited here. Check official LAMATA channels before travelling on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
How Many Stations Are on the Operating Route?
The operating Agbado to Oyingbo route has eight stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo. The proposed Agbado to Marina route is a separate plan and should not be counted as the current passenger route.
How Much Is a Red Line Ticket?
The current fare should be confirmed at the station or through an official LAMATA channel. A past LAMATA update reported a ₦1,000 full-route fare after a reduction from ₦1,500, but that figure may not match the current tariff.
Can You Pay With a Cowry Card?
LAMATA named the Cowry Card as the payment method in its passenger-service launch notice. Check station instructions for current use, card purchase or top-up details, and whether any other payment method is accepted.
Make Your Journey Easier to Plan
The Red Line is a practical choice when your trip fits its Agbado to Oyingbo corridor and a scheduled departure works for you. Check your station, train time, payment method and fare before leaving.
A little planning matters here: the timetable lists specific departures, and the train only covers part of many door-to-door trips. Confirm the latest service information, then allow time for your connections.
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