The Metra BNSF Railway Line is one of the busiest commuter rail lines in the Chicago metropolitan area, serving 22 stations in two different branches connecting downtown Chicago with Aurora, Illinois, through its three terminals. The line serves the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and runs from Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago through Aurora, Naperville, LaGrange, and to Downers Grove. The Metra BNSF Line offers daily service between Chicago and Aurora, with 16 stations along the way, including Halsted Street and Cicero Avenue in Chicago, similar to “L” stations within the city, plus Brookfield Zoo.
The line is known for being timely and accessible, with many stations offering park-and-ride services. The route offers nice views of the skyline of Chicago, especially when trains are closer to the city, and passes major business and residential areas. Whether it is for work or play, The Best Way to Get Downtown Is the Metra BNS, a rapid transit line covering 37 stations that provides convenient access to millions of people.
Metra BNSF Line Overview
Below is the station Overview.
Metra BNSF Line Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Line Name | Metra BNSF Railway Line |
| Operator | Metra (service) / BNSF Railway (track owner and infrastructure) |
| Terminus (East) | Union Station, 500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661 |
| Terminus (West) | Aurora Transportation Center, Aurora, IL |
| Total Number of Stations | 26 |
| Line Length | ~37.5 miles |
| Travel Time (End to End) | Approx. 70–90 minutes depending on train type |
| Train Frequency | - Every 15–30 mins during peak hours |
| - Hourly during off-peak | |
| Service Days | Monday–Sunday (Reduced weekend service) |
| Key Suburban Hubs | Cicero, Berwyn, La Grange, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Naperville, Aurora |
| Transfers at Union Station | CTA Blue & Red Lines, other Metra lines, Amtrak, Pace buses |
| Connections at Suburban Stations | Pace Bus services at Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, etc. |
| Fare Zones | Zones A through H |
| Special Services | Express trains during rush hours; bike and ADA-accessible cars available |
Metra BNSF Line Parking Information
Parking is offered for BNSF Line riders at various stations along the line.
1. Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago)
- Parking Facilities: Public parking garages and lots.
- Location: Near the station at 500 W Madison St, with several garages nearby.
- Availability: Parking is limited, and the museum can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to come early if possible. Prices differ by garage and time of day.
- Option: You can park at Union Station or street park, as parking near Ogilvie is full.
2. Chicago Rail Suburbs (and then onto Aurora)
Most stations on the BNSF Line are equipped with parking lots, with some having no/paid parking.
- Aurora Station: The airport has spacious parking lots with free passenger parking.
- Naperville Station: Offers paid parking to commuters, with self-parking permits available for short and long-term choices.
- Downers Grove & Other Stations: Like Naperville, some have paid parking with daily and monthly rates.
3. General Parking Information:
- Prices vary by location, with the closer ones to Chicago tending to be more expensive.
- For parking payments, many suburban stations have self-pay kiosks.
- Some stations offer monthly parking passes for frequent riders.
Metra BNSF Line Stations
- Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago)
- Union Station (Chicago)
- Aurora
- Naperville
- Downers Grove
- Hinsdale
- LaGrange Road
- Brookfield
- Riverside
- Berwyn
- Western Springs
- La Grange
Metra BNSF Line Nearby Attractions
- Chicago Union Station
- Brookfield / Hollywood Station
- Riverside
- La Grange Road
- Hinsdale
- Downers Grove (Main Street)
- Lisle
- Naperville
- Aurora
Metra BNSF Line Transfer and Connections Stations
1. Union Station (Chicago) — The Metra Hub of the Region
Location: 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
BNSF Line/BNSF Railway Terminus: BNSF Line/Halsted Street Platform is a Metra Station that serves the entire line and is the main transfer point to all CTA trains.
Transfer Options:
- Metra Electric Line: Transfer to Metra from and towards Chicago to South Chicago and University Park.
- SouthWest Service (SWS): Make a same-platform transfer to SWS trains at Union Station for service southwest to Orland Park and Mokena.
- South Shore Line: To continue on your way, it’s a short walk to transfer to the South Shore Line to Indiana at Millennium Station.
- North Central Service (NCS) and Milwaukee District Lines: Other connections to northbound, northwestbound, & westbound lines.
2. CTA (Chicago Transit Authority):
- Red Line: Walk to Jackson Blvd to take the Red Line (95th/Dan Ryan – Howard).
- Blue Line: Take the Blue Line (O’Hare to Forest Park) via direct tunnel at Union Station.
3. Amtrak: Union Station is a major Amtrak hub with connections to Amtrak’s long-distance services, such as the California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Lake Shore Limited.
4. Pace bus Service: at Union Station has several connections to Pace suburban buses, which link the areas not served by rail.
5. Cicero Station
Location: 4949 W. Cermak Rd, Cicero, IL
Connections:
- CTA Pink Line: A short walk to Cicero Pink Line stop (15 min. walk).
- Evacuating by bus Pace Bus Service: Suburban service to the surrounding suburbs.
6. La Grange Road Station
Location: 50 W. Burlington Ave., La Grange, IL
Connections:
- Pace Bus Service: Connections to several local routes serving La Grange and nearby suburbs, including Brookfield and Oak Brook.
- Walkability: The downtown La Grange retail, dining, and local service area is close to the station.
7. Downers Grove Station
Location: 4501 Main St, Downers Grove
Connections:
- Milwaukee District West Line (MD-W): Downers Grove Main Street Station allows for transfers between UP-West and MD-W lines, where service continues northwest, traveling to Elgin, Geneva, or Harvard.
- Pace Bus Service: Downers Grove offers a variety of bus routes for local travel and connections to Woodridge and Naperville.
8. Naperville Station
Location: 105 E. 4th Ave, Naperville, IL
Connections:
- Pace Bus Service: There are a number of routes heading to Lisle, Wheaton, Aurora, and Yorkville.
- Park and Ride: Naperville Station provides a significant parking facility for commuters and transfers to other buses.
- Metra Connect: Riders can connect to the Milwaukee District Line (MD-W) for service farther northwest into Geneva and Elburn.
9. Aurora Station
Location: 233 N. Broadway Ave, Aurora, IL
Connections:
- UP-W Line (Union Pacific-West): Connect to the UP-W Line at Aurora for service to Geneva, Elburn, and St. Charles.
- Pace Bus Service: Aurora is home to one of the largest Pace bus transfer stations, involving buses that take people to Oswego, Batavia, Yorkville, and other suburban towns.
- Amtrak: The Aurora Station also serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr, which runs out west to San Francisco and other cities.
Metra BNSF Line schedule
Weekday Schedule: Metra BNSF Line Chicago to Aurora (Morning)
| Departure Time | Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4:50 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 5:54 AM |
| 5:20 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 6:24 AM |
| 5:50 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 6:54 AM |
| 6:20 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 7:24 AM |
| 6:50 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 7:54 AM |
| 7:20 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 8:24 AM |
Weekday Schedule: Metra BNSF Line Chicago to Aurora (Afternoon and Evening)
| Departure Time | Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4:05 PM | Aurora | 5:08 PM |
| 4:35 PM | Aurora | 5:38 PM |
| 5:05 PM | Aurora | 6:08 PM |
| 5:35 PM | Aurora | 6:38 PM |
| 6:05 PM | Aurora | 7:08 PM |
| 6:35 PM | Aurora | 7:38 PM |
Weekend Schedule: Metra BNSF Line, Chicago to Aurora (Morning)
| Departure Time | Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 6:04 AM |
| 5:30 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 6:34 AM |
| 6:00 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 7:04 AM |
| 6:30 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 7:34 AM |
| 7:00 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 8:04 AM |
| 7:30 AM | Ogilvie (Chicago) | 8:34 AM |
Weekend Schedule: Metra BNSF Line Chicago to Aurora (Afternoon/Evening)
| Departure Time | Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | Aurora | 5:04 PM |
| 4:30 PM | Aurora | 5:34 PM |
| 5:00 PM | Aurora | 6:04 PM |
| 5:30 PM | Aurora | 6:34 PM |
| 6:00 PM | Aurora | 7:04 PM |
| 6:30 PM | Aurora | 7:34 PM |
Metra BNSF Line Map
Q. What are the primary stops on the Metra BNSF Line schedule?
The BNSF Line operates between the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago and the Aurora Stations served:
- Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago)
- Union Station (Chicago)
- Naperville
- Downers Grove
- LaGrange Road
- Aurora
Other stops: Brookfield, Riverside, Hinsdale, Western Springs, etc.
Q. What time do the trains leave Metra BNSF Line stations?
- The departure timing for each station and day is different. Weekday service starts early in the morning and continues through the rest of the day with a bolstered number of trains during rush hours. Weekend timetables are usually less frequent. Metra estimates the time based on a rolling average for that station and line.
Q. Do Metra BNSF Line stations have parking lots?
- Yes, there are park-and-ride facilities at most BNSF Line stations. Stops in places like Aurora, Naperville, and Downers Grove have plenty of parking available. The pattern of free and pay parking varies depending on the station. Like anywhere else, be sure to refer to individual stations regarding specific parking availability and cost.
Q. What’s the best way to access Metra BNSF Line stations from downtown Chicago?
- Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station can be accessed directly from downtown Chicago on foot (5-10minutes). There are also CTA buses and CTA trains, like the Blue Line or Brown Line, that run to them, which is convenient for both commuters and visitors.
Q. Are Metra BNSF Line stations accessible?
- Yes, the majority of BNSF Line stations are accessible to passengers with disabilities. Stations like Ogilvie, Aurora, and Naperville have elevators, ramp access, and wheelchair seating on trains. But still, yeah, you’d probably want to look for detailed information on such issues on the Metra website for whichever specific station.
Q. What is the address of the Metra BNSF Line terminal in Chicago?
- The Address of the Metra BNSF Line terminal in Chicago is 500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661.
