Metra Map Guide: Navigate Chicago’s Rail System Easily

The Metra Map Guide: The definitive guide to Chicago’s commuter train system. It includes all 11 rail lines, each color-coded, along with end stations, intermediate stops, and major transfer points. The fare zones are also marked on the map, which provides riders with a way to look up ticket prices based on the distances they will travel.

The Metra Map includes over 200 stations and is ideal for planning trips throughout Chicago (especially commuting from the suburbs to downtown). It assists riders in finding the best routes, connections to CTA and Pace services, and parking or accessible stations. The Metra Map can be found on the Metra website, on the app, and on board trains for convenient access.

Metra Map Lines and Colour

#	Line Name	Color	Route	Key Terminals
1	BNSF Railway Line	Orange	Union Station ➝ Aurora	Union Station (Chicago), Aurora
2	Union Pacific North (UP-N)	Dark Green	Ogilvie ➝ Kenosha	Ogilvie (Chicago), Kenosha (WI)
3	UP Northwest (UP-NW)	Blue	Ogilvie ➝ Harvard	Ogilvie (Chicago), Harvard
4	UP West (UP-W)	Yellow-Gold	Ogilvie ➝ Elburn	Ogilvie (Chicago), Elburn
5	Milwaukee District North	Light Green	Union Station ➝ Fox Lake	Union Station (Chicago), Fox Lake
6	Milwaukee District West	Pink	Union Station ➝ Elgin	Union Station (Chicago), Elgin
7	North Central Service	Purple	Union Station ➝ Antioch	Union Station (Chicago), Antioch
8	Heritage Corridor	Brown	Union Station ➝ Joliet	Union Station (Chicago), Joliet
9	Rock Island District	Red	LaSalle Street ➝ Joliet	LaSalle Street Station, Joliet
10	Metra Electric District	Teal	Millennium Station ➝ University Park	Millennium Station, University Park
11	SouthWest Service	Dark Purple	Union Station ➝ Manhattan	Union Station (Chicago), Manhattan

⚫ Chicago Loop Inset Map

BNSF Railway Line (Orange) – Union Station to Aurora.
Union Pacific North (Dark Green) – Ogilvie to Kenosha.
Union Pacific Northwest (Blue) – Ogilvie to Harvard.
Union Pacific West (Yellow-Gold) – Ogilvie to Elburn.
Milwaukee District North (Light Green) – Union Station to Fox Lake.
Milwaukee District West (Pink) – Union Station to Elgin.
North Central Service (Purple) – Union Station to Antioch.
Heritage Corridor (Brown) – Union Station to Joliet.
Rock Island District (Red) – LaSalle Street Station to Joliet.
Metra Electric District (Teal) – Millennium Station to University Park.
SouthWest Service (Dark Purple) – Union Station to Manhattan.

BNSF Railway Line (Orange) – Union Station to Aurora.

Union Pacific Northwest (Blue) – Ogilvie to Harvard

Union Pacific West (Yellow-Gold) – Ogilvie to Elburn

Milwaukee District North (Light Green) – Union Station to Fox Lake.

Milwaukee District West (Pink) – Union Station to Elgin.

North Central Service (Purple) – Union Station to Antioch

Heritage Corridor (Brown) – Union Station to Joliet

Rock Island District (Red) – LaSalle Street Station to Joliet

Metra Map Zones and Fare Calculation

Pricing Metra fares are calculated using a zone system based on modules (zones) of travel. Every station has a zone letter — starting with Zone A for downtown Chicago stations (such as Union Station, Ogilvie, and Millennium Station) and getting into higher zone letters like Zones B, C, D, and up as you head into the suburbs.

Fare is determined by the number of zones. As you pass through more zones, your fare will go up. For instance, a journey from Zone A (downtown) to Zone D (far outer suburb) is more expensive than a journey between Zone A and B.

The Metra Map is very obvious in labeling the station and its zone letter, to help you calculate your fare. To calculate the fare:

Find your origin and destination stations.
Identify their zone letters.
Keep track of the number of zones you are passing through.
You can pull the exact fare from Metra’s fare chart or app.

Metra Key Stations and Transfer Hubs

Union Station: A central hub with multiple lines coming together. It also transfers passengers to intercity Amtrak services.
Ogilvie Transportation Center: Other downtown terminus of several Union Pacific lines.
Millennium Station: Important for the Metra Electric District, very near the lakefront and downtown.
LaSalle Street Station: Rock Island District terminal.
Joliet: Dunk‑point of utmost suburbia for many lines.
Main transfer points: Where riders can make transfers from Metra to CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) trains or buses, or via Pace bus service, etc. These are important for multi‑modal commuters.
Stations with special features: Big parking lots, ADA accessible stations, or just station houses/waiting rooms. So do major suburban stations, including Naperville and Elmhurst, which serve huge commuter populations.

Metra Map Unique Aspects

Interactive / Digital Map Versions: Maps are clickable on the Metra website or app, so if you click a station, you get schedule info, connections, zone, etc.
Printable PDF Maps: Great for people who want to take a map with them or to have for safekeeping.
Accessibility info: Some maps designate stations that are ADA accessible so riders who require wheelchair access, etc., can make the appropriate plans.
Parking and Park‑and‑Ride: Many suburban stations have parking; the map frequently specifies which ones offer it.
Future updates/highlighted construction or service‑change zones: In some maps, stations or sections undergoing repair or being rebuilt will be indicated on the map.

1. What is the Metra Map for?

The Metra Map is an iconic visual guide to the Chicago commuter rail system. Features all 11 Metra lines, color-coded tracks, stations, zones, and terminals. It assists riders with trip planning, finds ticket price information, and locates transfer points to CTA or Pace services.

2. How do fare zones work on the Metra map?

The Metra Map | Use the Zone Letter on Your Ticket! Stations in downtown Chicago are in Zone A, and zones radiate out into the suburbs. You are charged by the number of zones you pass through. For instance, the cost to travel from Zone A to Zone D is higher than from Zone A to Zone B.

3. Where can I get the latest Metra Map?

You can access the Metra Map:

On the official Metra website
In the Metra mobile app
On stations, and on board trains (printed edition)
Via Google Maps and other transit apps.

4. Can I find CTA or Pace connections using the Metra Map?

Yes. The Metra Map shows major transfer stations where you can quickly and easily connect to CTA trains, CTA buses, and Pace suburban buses. Hubs for multiple transit modes like Union, Ogilvie, and Millennium stations.

5. Does the entire Metra system appear on one map?

Yes, the Metra Map also features each of the 11 lines with their route and terminal stations identified by color. Certain maps also list branch lines and special weekday-only services such as the North Central Service or Heritage Corridor.