Fares

Good for a single trip between your selected zones. Paper tickets expire three hours after purchase from a vending machine. Tickets purchased in the Ventra app must be used within 14 days and once activated expire in 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the length of the trip. Tickets purchased on the train from a conductor are valid for that trip. Nonrefundable.

Good for unlimited rides all day between your selected zones. Paper Day Passes expire at 3 a.m. the next day after purchase from a vending machine. Day Passes purchased in the Ventra app must be used within 14 days and once activated expire at 3 a.m. the day. Nonrefundable.

When purchasing a day pass, passengers should select the furthest zone they wish to travel while using the pass.

Five Day Passes that can be used for unlimited rides between your selected zones on any five days within 90 days of purchase. Available only in the Ventra app. Each Day Pass expires at 3 a.m. the day after activation. Can be shared by up to five people traveling in a group. Nonrefundable.

When purchasing a Day Pass 5-Pack, passengers should select the furthest zone they wish to travel while using the passes.

Good for unlimited rides in a calendar month between your selected zones on weekdays and systemwide on weekends. Available for purchase from vending machines or the Ventra app from the 20th to the 12th. Passes expire at noon on the first business day of the next month. Monthly Passes are for the exclusive use of the purchaser and are not transferable.

Refunds for unused Monthly Passes are available per the guidelines that can be found here, but lost, destroyed or stolen Monthly Passes will not be refunded or replaced. Refunds are subject to a $5 fee per transaction if returned after the first day of the month and returns are prorated (see the Monthly Pass refund policy here).

When purchasing a Monthly Pass, passengers should select the furthest zone they wish to travel while using the pass.

Monthly Pass holders can purchase a $30 Regional Connect Pass, valid for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace during the same calendar month. The pass must be purchased in the Ventra app only and the buyer must have a Ventra card registered in the app to which the pass can be added. Nonrefundable. Click here for instructions.

Good for unlimited rides on Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Passes purchased from vending machines or conductors are valid on the day of sale until 3 a.m. the next day. Passes purchased in the Ventra app must be used within 14 days and once activated expire at 3 a.m. the next day. Nonrefundable

Good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Available in the Ventra app only. Weekend Passes must be used within 14 days and once activated, expire at 3 a.m. on the Monday after the weekend. The Weekend Pass is not valid on the third day (usually Monday) of three-day weekends; a separate Saturday/Sunday/Holiday pass must be purchased for the third day. Nonrefundable.

Note: Riders do not have to prove their eligibility for reduced fares when buying a reduced fare ticket. However, they will be asked to prove their eligibility, by showing a permit or relevant ID, when using a reduced fare ticket. 

Senior Citizen/Disability Fares

Senior citizens 65 or older, customers with disabilities and Medicare cardholders are eligible for reduced fare tickets; they must first obtain a Reduced Fare Permit from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and then display the permit when using a reduced fare ticket. If you are enrolled in the Illinois Department of Aging's Benefit Access Program (BAP) and have an RTA-issued Ride Free Permit, you can ride free by displaying your permit. If you are not in possession of either permit, you must contact the RTA to apply. Click here for more information.

Low-income riders

The RTA, Metra, and Cook County have partnered to extend reduced fares to Metra riders experiencing low incomes regionwide through the Access Pilot Program. All recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, living in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will are eligible to apply for an Access permit, which will allow the use of reduced fare tickets, at GetAccess.org. The program will run from Feb. 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.

U.S. Military Fares

Military personnel may use reduced fare tickets provided they present proper military identification indicating they are on active duty. These privileges are extended to all branches of the military: Marines, Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard.

Student Fares

Full time students enrolled in a grade school or high school can purchase reduced fare tickets and passes. College students are not included in the program. Student fares are in effect at all times. When using a reduced fare ticket, students must present a valid letter of certification from their school (on school stationery) or present a valid school I.D. (both are valid through the end of the calendar year) bearing the student's name, school name and authorized signature. Failure to do so will result in full fare payment. Student tickets are not transferable. Any questions concerning the above may be directed to Metra Passenger Services at 312-MY-METRA.

Home-schooled Students

All fare policies concerning standard student fares also apply to home-schooled students. To meet documentation requirements, the student must present a letter with the name and address of the person providing the home schooling as teacher/principal at the top, signed and notarized. Click here to download form.

Children's Weekday Fares

Children ages 7 to 11 save 50 percent over One-Way fares. Children under 7 ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to three children free per adult). Under no circumstances will children under 7 years of age be permitted to travel alone.

Family Fares

On weekends and select holidays, kids ride FREE with Metra's Family Fares. Up to three children aged 11 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult. Purchase a ticket or use your Monthly Pass as the adult fare. Family Cars are available on weekends and non-rush hour weekday trains. Family Fares are also available on weekdays during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Save Money with Transit Benefits

To find out about how you can save money using pre-tax dollars to pay for commuting costs, click here.

Group Travel

Prearranged groups of 25 passengers or more can save up to 50 percent off the cost of regular One-Way fares. Group rates are available on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m., and anytime Saturday, Sunday and recognized national holidays (some restrictions may apply). Groups must consist of a minimum of 25 passengers and cannot exceed 135 passengers.

• No more than one group on the train at the same time. Metra will contact the group within two business days of receipt of the Group Travel Request Form.
• The entire group must be together on the platform ready to board the train.
• Group requests approvals will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Minimum 21-day advance notice required.
• If the size of your group meets the requirements specified above, please complete the necessary Group Travel Request Form and email it to grouptravel@metrarr.com. You will be contacted within two business days.
• Full payment (checks only) and final headcount must be received a minimum of 14 days in advance of your trip. Changes to the headcount cannot be accommodated. Checks must be payable to Metra-Group Travel and mailed to Metra’s Passenger Services Department at 547 W. Jackson Blvd – 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
• A Group Travel Boarding Pass will be issued to you once full payment is received. Boarding Pass must be presented to crew members upon boarding.
• A 24-hour notification of a cancellation is necessary for a refund.
• Click here to view and print a Group Travel Request Form
• Questions? Call a Group Travel Representative at 312-322-6772

*Metra is not responsible for any inconvenience resulting from delayed, canceled or missed train and/or connections due to mechanical failures, accidents, track obstructions or other issues.

Metra Fare Policies 

View Metra fare policies effective Feb 1, 2024