Frequently Asked Questions

Metra is the commuter rail agency serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties in the Chicago area. It is the sister agency to the Chicago Transit Authority, which provides mass transit rail (the L) and bus service to Chicago and some suburbs, and Pace, which provides bus service primarily in the suburbs.

Metra serves more than 100 communities with 239 stations on 11 lines running from five stations in Chicago’s downtown. Click on our online system map to see route and station locations.

Trains run frequently during weekday rush hours and about every hour during off-peak times. They also operate on weekends on most lines. Click on the Maps & Schedules link for more information.

Yes. Sunday schedules are in effect on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. On other days, such as pre-holiday dates, modified schedules may be in effect. Check with this website or call the Transit Information Center at 836-7000 (city or suburbs) to see if we are running a modified schedule.

Use our easy online trip planner for routes and train times. If you prefer to speak with a live voice, you can call our Passenger Services Department at 312-322-6777 weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or the Travel Information Center, evenings and weekends, at 312-836-7000, city or suburbs.

Metra Electric trains serve Van Buren Station (Van Buren and Michigan) and Millennium Station (Randolph and Michigan). Union Pacific North, Northwest and West line trains use Ogilvie Transportation Center (Madison and Canal). Rock Island trains use LaSalle Street Station (LaSalle and Van Buren). The North Central Service, Milwaukee West and Milwaukee North line trains use the north concourse of Union Station, while the BNSF Railway, SouthWest Service and Heritage Corridor lines use the south concourse of Union Station.

Metra operates a distance-based fare system consisting of twelve fare zones. Regular one-way fares to downtown Chicago range from $2.25 from the closest zone, Zone A, to $8.50 from the farthest, Zone M.

Metra offers a few different ticket options including monthly passes (unlimited travel between fare zones indicated), 10-ride tickets (ten one-way trips at a savings of 20 percent), one-way tickets (a single, one-way ride), and an unlimited ride $7 weekend pass. Metra also has different fare programs for seniors, customers with disabilities, families, students and children. For detailed information regarding all of Metra's Fare Programs, click on the Tickets link.

All seniors living in the six-county Chicago area are eligible to ride free on Metra by presenting their RTA-issued Senior Ride Free Smart Card Permit to onboard personnel.

Military personnel who provide proper identification indicating that they are on active duty can purchase reduced fare one-way and 10-ride tickets from ticket agents and one-way tickets from conductors. Military fare tickets are sold only at Metra ticket offices or on-board trains.

Tickets are available for purchase at all downtown stations and at all outlying stations where a ticket agent is on duty. One-way tickets can be purchased on the train, but if an agent is on duty at the station where you boarded, the conductor will charge you an additional $3. Ten-ride tickets and monthly passes also can be purchased online. Questions regarding ticket orders can be e-mailed to ticket_info@metrarr.com

No refund or replacement ride will be permitted when tickets have been lost, destroyed, stolen or unaccounted for on the day of travel. The form required to initiate a refund for unused or partially used tickets can be found here or can be obtained from a ticket agent at any downtown station. They will gladly forward the completed form to Metra’s Revenue Accounting Department for processing. Refunds are based on the date they are received by the agent, or, if mailed, the date of the postmark. Refunds cannot be made on any ticket past its period of validity. Mail refund request to: Metra Revenue Accounting Dept., Attn.: Refunds, 547 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60661. Questions regarding refunds can be e-mailed to refunds@metrarr.com.

Generally yes, except during peak service and during major special events. But see our Bikes on Trains for the full list of rules.

No. All Metra trains are smoke-free.

Only service animals assisting customers with disabilities are permitted on trains.

Yes, but please be courteous to other riders by remembering to use the trash receptacles.

Alcoholic beverages are permitted except during certain events and festivals, such as the Taste of Chicago and Blues Fest.

Yes. To inquire about lost articles, please visit Contact Metra.  Lost & Found information is located at the bottom of the page.

All Metra's train 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.

Monthly permit and/or daily fee parking is available at most stations. However, Metra does not administer permit parking at the stations. Each township, municipality or city in which the station is located has different parking rules and regulations. There is a link to each municipality on appropriate station page.

There is no checked baggage on Metra trains. Because of limited space, skis, non-folding carriages or other large items cannot be carried. Baggage should not block aisles or other seats. Please comply with train crew instructions.

Metra is run by an 11-member Board of Directors made up of representatives of the six-county area. They are appointed by county boards.

Metra receives 55 percent of its funding from fares. The rest is from public subsidies, primarily a small regional transportation sales tax, which also helps to fund the CTA and Pace.

We’re at 547 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago IL, 60661

You can call our Passenger Services Department at 312-322-6777 weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. They'll be happy to answer your questions.  For additional options, please refer to Contact Metra.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards. We also take debit cards as long as they have a MasterCard or Visa logo.

You can purchase up to two monthly passes or up to three 10-ride tickets per transaction online.

Yes. You must buy your pass by the 24th of the previous month. Tickets will then be delivered by the 1st.

My Metra is a password-protected account that you may establish on our website to track service alerts, set up e-mail notification preferences, manage personal billing information and set up and manage recurring ticket orders.

No. My Metra accounts are offered as a convenience only and are not required for an online ticket purchase.

You can set up a My Metra account to schedule the regular delivery of monthly passes or 10-ride tickets. First, establish your account. Tell us which tickets you want to order each month and how many of each. Then give us your credit or debit card information. Once your account is established, the same order will be processed each month on the date of your first order, and your credit or debit card will be charged automatically each month. For instance, an order for one October monthly pass placed on Sept. 20th would be processed again on Oct. 20th for one November pass, then on Nov. 20th for a December pass, etc. No need to worry about ordering every month or accidentally missing the deadline for monthly pass sales (the 24th of the prior month). You can even schedule to skip a month if, for example, you are planning to go on vacation.

Yes, Metra is using a secure, PCI-compliant, web server for its Internet ordering service.

You will receive an e-mail confirming each order placed. You will also receive an e-mail when your tickets are being shipped.

Only persons who qualify under the RTA’s Reduced Fare Program may purchase reduced fare tickets online with the use of a valid RTA Reduced Fare permit number. This number will be verified by Metra before any reduced fare purchase is processed. Riders who qualify for the Seniors Ride Free Program do not need to purchase tickets.

Questions regarding ticket orders can be addressed by e-mailing ticket_info@metrarr.com.  Order cancellation can be done by completing this form.

No. At this time, Transit Check customers cannot use the checks to purchase tickets via the Internet.  Customers should continue to use their current payment method.  Metra and the RTA are working to resolve this matter.