Metra fares
Fare on Metra fare is determined by the number of fare zones traveled. The system has 4 fare zones.
Tickets are sold at station ticket counters, a mobile app, ticket vending machines, and onboard the trains. There a $5 surcharge for onboard ticket purchases when boarding at stations that have an open ticket counter.
Onboard the trains, conductors punch tickets, sell tickets to those who board without having one, and check for passes along with mobile tickets. Riders with a paper ticket should place ticket in the metal clip in front (lower level), or by the ledge (upper level).
Issues such as transferring, stopover, and ticket upgrade (riding beyond zones purchased) need to be communicated with the train conductor.
Ticket types
One way tickets sold from ticket machines are good for 3 hours after purchase.
Day pass costs twice the one way fare. Good for unlimited rides within the selected zones until 3am the next day.
Day pass 5 pack is good for travel on any 5 days within 90 days after purchase. Can be shared by up to 5 riders in a group.
Monthly pass are good for unlimited rides within the selected zones during the calendar month. Valid until the first business day of following month. Good for travel systemwide on weekends.
Ventra app đ± can be used to pay for train fares and passes. Download app and buy ticket on app before boarding train. "Activate" ticket after boarding train. Show the mobile device to the conductor when tickets are checked. The Ventra app is not the same as card, which is accepted by CTA and Pace but not Metra. However the app can link with a card so the payments for card and app can centrally managed.
Sat, Sun, Holiday pass costs $7 and is good systemwide on a weekend day or holiday.
Weekend pass costs $10 and is good systemwide on Saturdays and Sundays.
Regional Connect pass costs $30 in addition to the monthly pass for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace.
Special user tickets eligibility:
- Senior (65 or above) and disabled riders with reduced fare permit issued by RTA.
- K-12 students with a valid school ID or certification letter. Required for purchasing tickets and riding onboard.
- Children ages 7 through 11.
- US active military members (all branches) with valid military ID.
Fare chart
Effective February 2024.
| Zones traveled | Full fare one way | Day pass 5 pack | Monthly | Special user one way | Special user Day pass 5 pack | Special user monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | $3.75 | $35.75 | $75 | $1.75 | $17.50 | $37.50 |
| 1-3 | $5.50 | $52.25 | $110 | $2.75 | $26 | $55 |
| 1-4 | $6.75 | $64.25 | $135 | $3.25 | $32 | $67.50 |
| 2-4 | $3.75 | $35.75 | $75 | $1.75 | $17.50 | $37.50 |
Fare zones
The fare change occurred on Feb 1, 2024 reduced the number fare zones and the overall fare.
