For New Riders

Planning a trip

If you are completely new to Metra, the best way to plan a trip is to use our trip planner. Enter your starting address and your destination, and the planner will tell you the Metra station and line that will get you where you want to go (In some cases, the planner may also recommend using the services of our sister agencies, the Chicago Transit Authority (city buses and L trains) and Pace (suburban buses).

Not sure which station is closest to you? View our system map or use our station finder tool. Simply type in your address, and you'll get a list of nearby stations and their lines to help you get acquainted with your closest Metra options.

If you know your line and origin and destination stations already, you can use the our Schedules tool to get schedule information for the day and time you are traveling or click on the printable schedules on that page.

If you prefer to speak with a Metra representative, you can call our Passenger Services Department at 312-MY-METRA (312-696-3872) or the RTA Travel Information Center at 312-836-7000. They'll be happy to answer your questions.

To have a late slip for a late train emailed to you, call Metra's Passenger Services Department at 312-MY-METRA (312-696-3872). 

Ticket Options

Metra offers different ticket options including:

• One-Way Tickets (a single, one-way ride)
• Day Passes (unlimited travel for a single day between the zones you select)
• Day Pass 5-Packs (five Day Passes that can be used on any five days within 90 days of purchase, available in the Ventra App only)
• Monthly Passes (unlimited rides in a calendar month between your selected zones on weekdays and systemwide on weekends). 

Click here for more details about these ticket options and here for information about how and where to buy tickets. The prices of these tickets and passes depend on the number of fare zones you travel through. Click here to see a map of fare zones. Use our fare calculator or fare table to find out the cost of your ticket. 

Examples: Naperville Station is in Zone 4 on the BNSF Line. Chicago Union Station is in Zone 1. The cost of various tickets and passes for trips between between those stations is in the "1-2-3-4" column on the fare chart, meaning the cost for trips between 1 and 4. The Glencoe Station is in Zone 3 on the UP North Line. The Ogilvie Transportation Center is in Zone 1. The cost of various tickets and passes for trips between between those stations is in the "1-2-3" column on the fare chart, meaning the cost for trips between 1 and 3. All trips that do not start or end in downtown Zone 1 cost the same and are shown in the "2-3-4" column.

Metra also has reduced fare rates, which are available for seniors, customers with disabilities, low-income riders, military personnel, students and children. Our Fares page has information about eligibility for those rates, and the fare calculator lists the full and reduced fare rates for all trips. 

On weekends, Metra offers a $7 Saturday/Sunday/Holiday Day Pass (unlimited rides on either Saturday or Sunday or Holiday) and a $10 Weekend Pass (unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday, available on the Ventra App only). There are no reduced fare rates for those passes.

If you prefer to speak with a Metra representative, you can call our Passenger Services Department at 312-MY-METRA (312-696-3872) or the RTA Travel Information Center at 312-836-7000. 

Parking

Monthly permit and daily fee parking is available at most train stations. However, Metra does not manage parking at most stations. Rather, the municipality in which the station is located usually manages the lots; each has different parking rules and regulations. For information about parking at each station, please call the phone number listed on each station page. Parking lots not operated by municipalities or their vendors generally are operated by SP+ Parking. SP+ Parking operates parking facilities at select locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.  SP+  Parking offers both daily and monthly parking options to meet Metra riders' parking needs.

For more details about parking at Metra stations, please go to our Parking page.

Riding the Train

Be sure to arrive at the station early so that you have time to park your car and purchase your ticket. Be advised that times listed in Metra timetables are departure times from each station, not arrival times; please plan accordingly and give yourself time to be in position on the platform.

Let the conductors know it's your first time traveling aboard Metra, and they'll be happy to help you if you have any questions or concerns about your trip. Announcements are made before each stop. When you hear the message announcing the approach of your stop, pick up your ticket and any items you brought with you and head to the vestibule to disembark at your final destination. Customers who are hearing impaired may want to notify a conductor about their stop during ticket collection.

Helpful Information

• All Metra lines are fully accessible. Most stations are also fully accessible or have partial ADA accessibility. If you are in need of assistance, you should call ahead to check the level of accessibility at the stations you plan to use, or go to the Accessibility page for a list.
• Monthly permit and daily fee parking is available at most stations. However, Metra does not administer parking at most of the stations. Each municipality in which the station is located has different parking rules and regulations. For further information, see our Parking page or the appropriate station's section on this site.
• We offer reduced rates for groups of 25 or more. To find out about our Group Travel call a Group Travel representative at 312-322-6772 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please be advised that your group's payment must be received at least two weeks prior to your trip.