I am from crystal lake, the UP northwest line goes through my town. There used to be a southern line down to Elgin and it ran north up to lake Geneva. Way before my time. Wish they brought back that line but there’s no way now due to new roads etc. always had fun taking the metra into the city. The bears are making their new stadium in Arlington heights so I’ll be able to hop on a 25 minute train ride when that’s completed. Cool video
Welcome to the channel and Glad you found the video helpful. The metra train system can be a lot of fun to ride and provide an economical adventures to explore different parts of the Chicagoland area. Worth learning!
That’s a great question, and I needed to contact Metra to confirm my answer was correct, before I gave it. Metra has been making many new changes recently. But as of right now they only take cash if you board the train and pay the conductor. There is supposed to be a five dollar Surcharge on top of the ticket price, if there was a vending machine at the station and you don’t use it. But because at this time not every station has a vending machine, they have waived the five dollar premium charge. So according to the metra representative, at this time the conductor only accepts cash. (312) 696-3872 is the Metra number if you have any other concerns or questions. And one last point, they have been making several new changes this year and so this video (made in 2022) is outdated in some parts and a new updated version was made to reflect those changes. I believeI I have a link on the description of this video to the new 2024 version.
I was visiting Chicago and I had to take the metra electric but there was one problem, there wasn’t a ticket machine at the station (I think the station was 63rd street or somewhere close to that) so I was like well I can just buy a ticket on the train but when the conductor came up to me they said they only accept cash and I don’t have enough cash and the conductor wasn’t happy with me and by the time I had finished talking with the conductor it was my stop so I just got off without paying, in my defense I didn’t have cash and there wasn’t a ticket machine at 63rd street station
Tough experience, but this might encourage some people to go ahead and download the Ventra app, so they can just purchase their tickets on the app and use the credit card doing it.
Metra requires a metra ticket or pass. These can be purchased at the train station or through the ventra app. If purchased through the ventra app the metra ticket /pass is loaded to the app and shown to conductor when on train ( not the ventra card). You can’t use the metra ticket/pass to ride cta trains/buses. If you are a monthly metra pass holder, you can purchase through metra a Regional Connect Pass (Ventra app only) for around $30 valid for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace during the same calendar month as your metra monthly pass.
“Regional Connect Pass Valid on CTA and Pace at all times. Pass sold by Metra or on the Ventra App to use with Metra Monthly Ticket. This new pass replaces Metra Link-up and Pace PlusBus” www.transitchicago.com/fares/
Hello and you are correct, thank you for the updated information, I will add that for now to the description so people understand that since February 2024 it’s been changed. Instead of the 10 alphabetical zones ( A through J), it’s now reduced to 4 zones numbered 1 through 4. Metra also made some changes in the rates and the type of passes that you can buy. And they also now state all ticket windows have been closed ( you now need to purchase tickets via ventra app, vending machine, or pay to conductor after board train).
For the latest 2024 changes in the Metra rail system, you can go to this webpage on the Metra website. metra.com/2024FarePlan#:~:text=Under%20the%20new%20structure%2C%20the,on%20each%20line%2C%20which%20vary.
The Union pacific north line would be the metra train that will take you from waukegan to the otc ( olgivie transportation center). I haven’t taken that train, so I can’t really talk about the safety, but my experience on the trains I have taken is they’ve always been safe. Safer than the cta trains in my opinion As for how to ride that particular train, here is the webpage for Metra on schedules and stops. That would be a good starting point for you to check into. ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N/stations/WAUKEGAN Also, metra has made some changes in the way they determine fares and the zones at the start of 2024, I did make a new metra video that explains this, the 2024 version. I’ll link you to it here. In case you’re interested. ua-cam.com/video/qZ02E8FKWvw/v-deo.htmlsi=Zb7n555iVkWiLbrL
And one more point about safety, since you’re going to the OTC, that’s a pretty busy area and I don’t think there’s much issue about safety, but I would avoid going too late if you plan an evening trip, only because Chicago downtown at night you will see a lot of homeless people, and some of them can be at times a bit aggressive in their behavior. I’ve rode mostly the CTA trains to downtown and have arrived late on some occasions, I’ve been a few times approached by homeless people, but they’ve never been what I would say acting dangerous to me. But you still have to be careful walking the streets in downtown at night. Good luck on your metra trip.
I’m new in Illinois and I just want to clear up something please. I live in palatine but will be taking the metra to Jefferson park for work so if I get a $6 day pass that allows me to Start in palatine - get off in Jefferson park Then when getting off work start Jefferson park - get off in palatine Right ? That’s only traveling through 2 zones right?
That sounds right, but I would advise you to call metra to make sure. I hate to be giving this advise because I may be in error and don’t want to be having you rely on it. , so best to check with metra customer service. metra.com/contact-us
In the ventra app you can select both locations and it will give you ticketing options including the day pass and the price for day pass for that route.
Also, it is more than 2 zones. Palatine is in zone B and Jefferson park in zone F. The one way pass looks to run at $6.75. The other poster is correct you can use the ventra app to find all this along with all the ticket options. If you plan long term to travel on metra, the ventra app is more practical. But if you don’t wish to use the ventra app, the conductor or a station can help you I’m sure on selling you the correct ticket for the B/F zone
when I take the train on oak park, the trains sometimes come in different lanes/platforms, how would I figure out which lanesplatforms they're gonna come from?
My guess is they do this for reasons such as repairs or to accommodate freight trains ( metra doesn’t own many of the tracks). The decision on which track being used may then change depending on circumstances. The station attendant may be able to give you more info on your question.
Metra doesn’t reach Indiana. There is the South Shore line that runs between Gary and South Bend Indiana and downtown Chicago. It uses the Millennium station in downtown Chicago. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_Line
Each car of the train you will see a map of all the stops, plus the conductor announces each upcoming stop. In fact, they have a recorded message piped into each car, announcing each upcoming stop I believe.
I am from crystal lake, the UP northwest line goes through my town. There used to be a southern line down to Elgin and it ran north up to lake Geneva. Way before my time. Wish they brought back that line but there’s no way now due to new roads etc. always had fun taking the metra into the city. The bears are making their new stadium in Arlington heights so I’ll be able to hop on a 25 minute train ride when that’s completed. Cool video
Me, a lifelong Chicagoan, watching this.
Have learned trains all over, but never my own backyard 👀
Thank you!
Welcome to the channel and Glad you found the video helpful. The metra train system can be a lot of fun to ride and provide an economical adventures to explore different parts of the Chicagoland area. Worth learning!
Thank you. Very informative.
You are welcome! And thanks for stopping in.
Thanks for sharing your video and thoughts
You’re welcome
Tried to look up if you can pay with credit card on train with no app BS. Can't find the simple answer ....
That’s a great question, and I needed to contact Metra to confirm my answer was correct, before I gave it. Metra has been making many new changes recently. But as of right now they only take cash if you board the train and pay the conductor.
There is supposed to be a five dollar Surcharge on top of the ticket price, if there was a vending machine at the station and you don’t use it. But because at this time not every station has a vending machine, they have waived the five dollar premium charge.
So according to the metra representative, at this time the conductor only accepts cash.
(312) 696-3872 is the Metra number if you have any other concerns or questions.
And one last point, they have been making several new changes this year and so this video (made in 2022) is outdated in some parts and a new updated version was made to reflect those changes.
I believeI I have a link on the description of this video to the new 2024 version.
I was visiting Chicago and I had to take the metra electric but there was one problem, there wasn’t a ticket machine at the station (I think the station was 63rd street or somewhere close to that)
so I was like well I can just buy a ticket on the train but when the conductor came up to me they said they only accept cash and I don’t have enough cash and the conductor wasn’t happy with me and by the time I had finished talking with the conductor it was my stop so I just got off without paying, in my defense I didn’t have cash and there wasn’t a ticket machine at 63rd street station
Tough experience, but this might encourage some people to go ahead and download the Ventra app, so they can just purchase their tickets on the app and use the credit card doing it.
@@TravGuideChannel i have the ventra app now because of that experience 🤣
A wise decision 🙂
Most of the conductors are great. Dont be affraid to report the bad ones. Metra handles it fast.
In my experience, the conductors have always been helpful and polite. Very professional in their behavior. Thanks for your input.
Is the ventrà card good for the metrà ànd ctà trainß and busses?
Metra requires a metra ticket or pass. These can be purchased at the train station or through the ventra app. If purchased through the ventra app the metra ticket /pass is loaded to the app and shown to conductor when on train ( not the ventra card). You can’t use the metra ticket/pass to ride cta trains/buses.
If you are a monthly metra pass holder, you can purchase through metra a Regional Connect Pass (Ventra app only) for around $30 valid for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace during the same calendar month as your metra monthly pass.
“Regional Connect Pass
Valid on CTA and Pace at all times. Pass sold by Metra or on the Ventra App to use with Metra Monthly Ticket. This new pass replaces Metra Link-up and Pace PlusBus”
www.transitchicago.com/fares/
This needs to be updated. It’s a whole new system now it is not a J it’s one through five.
Hello and you are correct, thank you for the updated information, I will add that for now to the description so people understand that since February 2024 it’s been changed. Instead of the 10 alphabetical zones ( A through J), it’s now reduced to 4 zones numbered 1 through 4.
Metra also made some changes in the rates and the type of passes that you can buy. And they also now state all ticket windows have been closed ( you now need to purchase tickets via ventra app, vending machine, or pay to conductor after board train).
For the latest 2024 changes in the Metra rail system, you can go to this webpage on the Metra website.
metra.com/2024FarePlan#:~:text=Under%20the%20new%20structure%2C%20the,on%20each%20line%2C%20which%20vary.
are there screens that tell you which track number your train is at?
When boarding at the downtown chicago terminal they had posted the trains and track
@@TravGuideChannel thank you! you are very helpful and informative 😊
You’re very welcome
Can I take a small suitcase on the train for go to suburbs?
That should be no problem.
I want to take the train from wakugen to Chicago otc. Is it safe? How do I do it
The Union pacific north line would be the metra train that will take you from waukegan to the otc ( olgivie transportation center). I haven’t taken that train, so I can’t really talk about the safety, but my experience on the trains I have taken is they’ve always been safe. Safer than the cta trains in my opinion
As for how to ride that particular train, here is the webpage for Metra on schedules and stops. That would be a good starting point for you to check into.
ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N/stations/WAUKEGAN
Also, metra has made some changes in the way they determine fares and the zones at the start of 2024, I did make a new metra video that explains this, the 2024 version. I’ll link you to it here. In case you’re interested.
ua-cam.com/video/qZ02E8FKWvw/v-deo.htmlsi=Zb7n555iVkWiLbrL
And one more point about safety, since you’re going to the OTC, that’s a pretty busy area and I don’t think there’s much issue about safety, but I would avoid going too late if you plan an evening trip, only because Chicago downtown at night you will see a lot of homeless people, and some of them can be at times a bit aggressive in their behavior. I’ve rode mostly the CTA trains to downtown and have arrived late on some occasions, I’ve been a few times approached by homeless people, but they’ve never been what I would say acting dangerous to me. But you still have to be careful walking the streets in downtown at night.
Good luck on your metra trip.
I’m new in Illinois and I just want to clear up something please. I live in palatine but will be taking the metra to Jefferson park for work so if I get a $6 day pass that allows me to
Start in palatine - get off in Jefferson park
Then when getting off work start Jefferson park - get off in palatine
Right ? That’s only traveling through 2 zones right?
That sounds right, but I would advise you to call metra to make sure. I hate to be giving this advise because I may be in error and don’t want to be having you rely on it. , so best to check with metra customer service. metra.com/contact-us
In the ventra app you can select both locations and it will give you ticketing options including the day pass and the price for day pass for that route.
Also, it is more than 2 zones. Palatine is in zone B and Jefferson park in zone F. The one way pass looks to run at $6.75. The other poster is correct you can use the ventra app to find all this along with all the ticket options. If you plan long term to travel on metra, the ventra app is more practical. But if you don’t wish to use the ventra app, the conductor or a station can help you I’m sure on selling you the correct ticket for the B/F zone
when I take the train on oak park, the trains sometimes come in different lanes/platforms, how would I figure out which lanesplatforms they're gonna come from?
My guess is they do this for reasons such as repairs or to accommodate freight trains ( metra doesn’t own many of the tracks). The decision on which track being used may then change depending on circumstances. The station attendant may be able to give you more info on your question.
Thanks
You’re welcome.
Does this train go into Indiana?
Metra doesn’t reach Indiana. There is the South Shore line that runs between Gary and South Bend Indiana and downtown Chicago. It uses the Millennium station in downtown Chicago.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_Line
How do i tell them which stop im getting off at?
Each car of the train you will see a map of all the stops, plus the conductor announces each upcoming stop. In fact, they have a recorded message piped into each car, announcing each upcoming stop I believe.