Metra is a Chicago area commuter rail system that makes traveling to and from downtown Chicago and its surrounding areas easy. Originating from downtown Chicago, Metra travels on 11 lines through a six county area of northeast Illinois, with stops at 241 stations.
Fares on Metra is distance-based, using a zone system. The system consists of twelve fare zones and riders are charged based on the number of zones they travel through. Regular one-way fares to downtown Chicago range from $3.50 from the closest zone, Zone A, to $10.50 from the farthest, Zone M.
Metra offers a $8 Weekend Pass for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. These passes can be purchased using the Ventra App. Pass in Not valid for travel on the South Shore (NICTD).
Paying your fare to board a Metra Train is as easy as:
Getting on board when the train arrives.
Find a seat and place your ticket in the metal clip in front of you.
If you are riding on the upper level, place your ticket in the clip on the side of the privacy panel.
The conductor will approach to validate your ticket.
Address:
210 South Canal St.
Chicago, IL 60606
Located at one of Chicago’s landmarks, 85 percent of the trains that come in and out of Union Station are Metra trains. Union Station is bounded by the Chicago River on the east, Clinton Street on the west, Adams Street on the north and Jackson Blvd. on the south. Canal Street runs north and south and separates the old and the newer station complex.
Train Lines:
Milwaukee District North (MD-N)
North Central Service (NCS)
Heritage Corridor (HC)
BNSF (BNSF)
SouthWest Service (SWS)
Milwaukee District West (MD-W)
Connecting Services:
CTA Routes: 1, 7, J14, 28, 37, 60, 121, 124, 125, 126, 128, 130, 132, 151, 156, 157, 192, Blue Line
Pace Route: 755
Metra: BNSF, Milwaukee West, Milwaukee North, North Central Service, SouthWest Service
Shoreline Water Taxi
Address:
500 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60606
The Ogilvie Transportation Center is adjacent to the Accenture Tower at 500 W Madison. The train platforms on the second level can be reached through the Accenture Tower or via entrances on Clinton and Canal between Washington and Randolph.
Train Lines:
Union Pacific North (UP-N)
Union Pacific West (UP-W)
Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW)
Connecting Services:
CTA Routes: J14, 19, 20, 56, 60, 120, 124, 125, 128, 130, 132, 157, 192, Green, and Pink Lines
Metra: Union Pacific - West, Union Pacific - Northwest, Union Pacific - North
Chicago Water Taxi
Address:
151 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
The Metra Electric Line originates at Millennium Station, located at Michigan Ave and Randolph and runs south to University Park. This is an underground complex that can be accessed by both stairs and elevator at the southwest corner of Michigan and Randolph.
Train Lines:
Metra Electric (ME)
Connecting Services at Millennium Station:
CTA Routes: 3, 4, 6, J14, 19, 20, 26, 56, 60, 124, 143, 146, 147, 148, 151, 157, Green, Pink, Orange, Brown, and Purple Lines South Shore
Pace Route: 850, 851, 855
Address:
132 E. Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60605
Van Buren station is the first outbound stop on the Metra Electric Line after Millennium Station. Van Buren Station can be accessed at entrances on the southwest or northwest corners of Michigan Avenue and Van Buren.
Train Lines:
Metra Electric (ME)
Connecting Services at Van Buren Station:
CTA Routes: 3, 4, 6, J14, 19, 20, 26, 56, 60, 124, 143, 147, 151, 157, Brown, Green, Pink, Orange and Purple Lines South Shore
Address:
414 S. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60605
The LaSalle Street station is the main hub for all Rock Island Line trains that go to either Joliet or the Beverly Branch.
Train Lines:
Rock Island (RI)
Connecting Services at LaSalle Street Station:
CTA Routes: 1, 7, 22, 24, 28, 36, 37, 126, 132, 134, 135, 136, 151, Blue, Brown, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines.
Many buses board at the Union Station Transit Center on Jackson, including popular routes to Navy Pier, North Michigan Avenue and Illinois Center.
Board CTA Blue Line trains at the Clinton/Congress subway station, two blocks south of Union Station.
Board CTA Brown, Orange, Purple, and Pink Line trains at the Quincy/Wells Elevated Station, three blocks east of Union Station.
Seasonal service is also available to the United Center, Soldier Field and the Lakefront Museums.
Outside of downtown, CTA buses connect or are within walking distance of all stations between Mont Clare and Western Avenue.
Pace buses connect with Metra trains at a number of suburban stations, primarily at peak rush hour periods.
Metra Mobile Tickets and Passes can be purchased using the Ventra App. Fares are based on distance traveled. The fare schedule below is for fares based on travel to/from downtown Chicago (Zone A).
| Zone A | Zone B | Zone C | Zone D | Zone E | Zone F | Zone G | Zone H | Zone I | Zone J | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-way | $4.00 | $4.25 | $5.50 | $6.25 | $6.75 | $7.25 | $7.75 | $8.25 | $9.00 | $9.50 |
| One-way reduced* | $2.00 | $2.00 | $2.75 | $3.00 | $3.25 | $3.50 | $3.75 | $4.00 | $4.50 | $4.75 |
| 10-Ride Tickets | $38.00 | $40.50 | $52.25 | $59.50 | $64.25 | $69.00 | $73.75 | $78.50 | $85.50 | $90.25 |
| 10-Ride reduced* | $19.00 | $19.00 | $26.25 | $28.50 | $31.00 | $33.25 | $35.75 | $38.00 | $41.75 | $45.25 |
| Zone A | Zone B | Zone C | Zone D | Zone E | Zone F | Zone G | Zone H | Zone I | Zone J | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $116.00 | $123.25 | $159.50 | $181.25 | $195.75 | $210.25 | $224.75 | $239.25 | $261.00 | $275.50 |
| Reduced monthly* | $70.00 | $70.00 | $96.25 | $105.00 | $113.75 | $122.50 | $131.25 | $140.00 | $157.50 | $166.25 |
The $6 Day Pass is valid for unlimited travel within one to three fare zones all day until 3 a.m. the next morning.
The $10 Day Pass is good for unlimited rides on all Metra lines all day until 3 a.m. the next morning.
Both passes can only be purchased only in the Ventra app and expire seven days after purchase.
