The Metra Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line is an essential commuter rail serving the Chicago metropolitan area. It operates about 43 miles between the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago and Elburn, Illinois. The line serves many suburbs, including Oak Park, Wheaton, Naperville, and Geneva, providing efficient transportation for daily commuters. The UP-W Line offers both express and local trains to meet varying travel needs. It connects seamlessly with other Metra lines and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) services, allowing easy transfers.
Modern trains on the line feature amenities such as Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. This route plays a vital role in reducing highway congestion and promoting sustainable transportation in Chicagoland, making it a popular choice for commuters traveling to and from the city and its western suburbs.
Metra Union Pacific West Line Overview
Below is the station Overview.
Metra Union Pacific West Line Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Route Length | Approx. 43 miles (Chicago Ogilvie to Elburn) |
| First Station | Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago) |
| Last Station | Elburn, Illinois |
| Number of Stations | 26 stations |
| Counties Served | Cook, DuPage, Kane |
| Train Types | Express and Local |
| Connections | Other Metra lines, CTA buses and trains |
| Amenities | Wi-Fi, comfortable seating |
| Typical Commute Time | Approx. 1 to 1.5 hours depending on train type |
| Purpose | Commuter transit, reducing highway congestion |
| Popular Suburbs Served | Oak Park, Wheaton, Naperville, Geneva |
Metra Union Pacific West Line Parking Information
1. Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago, IL).
- Parking: Parking at Ogilvie is very limited. The station is reached by most commuters with the help of local commercial garages or public transport.
- Notes: Take into account CTA trains, buses, rideshare, or drop-offs because of the shortage of parking.
2. Oak Park Station
- Parking: Moderate parking is found, with daily and permit parking being handled by the Village of Oak Park.
- Spaces: There are approximately 200 spaces with ADA spots.
- Parking: Parking charges on a daily basis; monthly parking permits can be purchased by regular commuters.
3. Villa Park Station
- Parking: There are huge parking places with daily and permit parking.
- Spaces: The facility has almost 500 spaces with ADA parking.
- Prices: Daily parking paid via pay stations or mobile apps; monthly permits cost about $35 plus fees.
4. Geneva Station
- Parking: Large parking spaces with multi-level parking garages and surface parking.
- Parking: Over 500 parking spots with ADA-accessible ones.
- Payment: Accepts both cash and mobile payment (ParkMobile, Passport Parking).
5. Elburn Station
- Parking: There is a lot of free parking, and it has a big parking lot on the west end.
- Spaces: More than 590 spaces with ADA-accessible parking.
- Parking: There is no fee to park; however, check the local updates.
6. Wheaton Station
- Parking: Daily and permit parking, combination.
- Spaces: The facility has around 300 spaces with ADA-accessible spaces.
- Payment: Payments can be made through pay stations and mobile applications; monthly users can have permits.
General Parking Information.
- Payment Methods: The majority of the stations accept daily parking fees using mobile applications such as ParkMobile and Passport Parking, and on-site payment terminals.
- Parking Permit: This option is offered in most suburban stations by frequent commuters who have to register and pay monthly.
- ADA Parking: All the stations have almost ADA-accessible parking spots that can accommodate disabled passengers.
- Tips: Come early during weekdays, particularly on the busy stations, since lots get occupied fast during peak hours.
Metra Union Pacific West Line Stations List
- Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago, IL)
- Western Avenue
- Mayfair
- Elmwood Park
- River Forest
- Oak Park
- Harlem Avenue
- Forest Park
- Berkeley
- La Grange Road
- La Grange
- Western Springs
- Clarendon Hills
- Hinsdale
- West Hinsdale
- Oak Brook
- Elmhurst
- Villa Park
- Lombard
- Glen Ellyn
- Winfield
- Wheaton
- West Chicago
- Geneva
- Batavia
- North Aurora
- Aurora
- Sugar Grove
- Big Timber Road
- Elburn
Metra Union Pacific West Line Nearby Attractions
- Millennium Park – Chicago (Ogilvie)
- Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago (Ogilvie)
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio – Oak Park
- Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum – Oak Park
- Oak Park Conservatory – Oak Park
- Elmhurst Art Museum – Elmhurst
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art – Elmhurst
- Wilder Park Conservatory – Elmhurst
- Lake Ellyn Park – Glen Ellyn
- Morton Arboretum – Near Glen Ellyn
- Cantigny Park – Wheaton
- Cosley Zoo – Wheaton
- DuPage County Historical Museum – Wheaton
- Geneva History Museum – Geneva
- Fabyan Forest Preserve – Geneva
- Fox River Trail – Geneva
- Lion’s Park – Elburn
- Ream’s Meat Market – Elburn
- Bartlett Nature Center – Bartlett
- Aurora Regional Fire Museum – Near West Chicago
- Paramount Theatre – Aurora
- Phillips Park Zoo – Aurora
Metra Union Pacific West Line Schedules
Metra Union Pacific West Line Weekday Schedule (Inbound to Ogilvie)
| Station | Early Morning | Morning Rush | Midday / Off-Peak | Evening / Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elburn | 4:15 AM, 4:45 AM | 5:15 AM, 5:45 AM, 6:15 AM, 7:25 AM, 8:25 AM, 9:25 AM | 10:55 AM, 12:25 PM, 1:25 PM, 2:25 PM, 3:25 PM | 4:25 PM, 5:25 PM, 6:25 PM, 7:25 PM, 8:25 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:25 PM |
| La Fox | 4:19 AM, 4:49 AM | 5:19 AM, 5:49 AM, 6:19 AM, 7:29 AM, 8:29 AM, 9:29 AM | 10:59 AM, 12:29 PM, 1:29 PM, 2:29 PM, 3:29 PM | 4:29 PM, 5:29 PM, 6:29 PM, 7:29 PM, 8:29 PM, 9:29 PM, 10:29 PM |
| Geneva | 4:27 AM, 4:57 AM | 5:27 AM, 5:57 AM, 6:27 AM, 7:37 AM, 8:37 AM, 9:37 AM | 11:07 AM, 12:37 PM, 1:37 PM, 2:37 PM, 3:37 PM | 4:37 PM, 5:37 PM, 6:37 PM, 7:37 PM, 8:37 PM, 9:37 PM, 10:37 PM |
| West Chicago | 4:35 AM, 5:05 AM | 5:35 AM, 6:05 AM, 6:35 AM, 7:45 AM, 8:45 AM, 9:45 AM | 11:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM | 4:45 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:45 PM, 8:45 PM, 9:45 PM, 10:45 PM |
| Wheaton | 4:44 AM, 5:14 AM | 5:44 AM, 6:14 AM, 6:44 AM, 7:54 AM, 8:54 AM, 9:54 AM | 11:24 AM, 12:54 PM, 1:54 PM, 2:54 PM, 3:54 PM | 4:54 PM, 5:54 PM, 6:54 PM, 7:54 PM, 8:54 PM, 9:54 PM, 10:54 PM |
Metra Union Pacific West Line Weekend Schedule (Inbound to Ogilvie)
| Saturday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Station | First Train | Midday & Afternoon Trains | Evening Trains |
| Elburn | 6:25 AM | 7:25 AM, 8:25 AM, 10:25 AM, 12:25 PM, 2:25 PM, 4:25 PM, 6:25 PM, 8:25 PM | 10:25 PM |
| La Fox | 6:29 AM | 7:29 AM, 8:29 AM, 10:29 AM, 12:29 PM, 2:29 PM, 4:29 PM, 6:29 PM, 8:29 PM | 10:29 PM |
| Geneva | 6:37 AM | 7:37 AM, 8:37 AM, 10:37 AM, 12:37 PM, 2:37 PM, 4:37 PM, 6:37 PM, 8:37 PM | 10:37 PM |
| Sunday | |||
| Station | First Train | Midday & Afternoon Trains | Evening Trains |
| Elburn | 6:25 AM | 8:25 AM, 10:25 AM, 12:25 PM, 2:25 PM, 4:25 PM, 6:25 PM, 8:25 PM | 10:25 PM |
| La Fox | 6:29 AM | 8:29 AM, 10:29 AM, 12:29 PM, 2:29 PM, 4:29 PM, 6:29 PM, 8:29 PM | 10:29 PM |
| Geneva | 6:37 AM | 8:37 AM, 10:37 AM, 12:37 PM, 2:37 PM, 4:37 PM, 6:37 PM, 8:37 PM | 10:37 PM |
Metra Union Pacific West Line Fares Information
| Station | Zone | One-Way Fare | Day Pass | Monthly Pass | Weekend Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elburn | Zone 10 | $6.75 | $13.50 | $135.00 | $7 (Sat/Sun/1-day), $10 (weekend) |
| La Fox | Zone 9 | $6.75 | $13.50 | $135.00 | Same as above |
| Geneva | Zone 8 | $6.75 | $13.50 | $135.00 | Same as above |
| West Chicago | Zone 7 | $6.75 | $13.50 | $135.00 | Same as above |
| Wheaton | Zone 6 | $5.50 | $11.00 | $110.00 | Same as above |
| Glen Ellyn | Zone 5 | $5.50 | $11.00 | $110.00 | Same as above |
| Lombard | Zone 4 | $5.50 | $11.00 | $110.00 | Same as above |
| Elmhurst | Zone 3 | $3.75 | $7.50 | $75.00 | Same as above |
| Oak Park | Zone 2 | $3.75 | $7.50 | $75.00 | Same as above |
| Ogilvie (Chicago) | Zone 1 | — | — | — | — |
Q. What is the last terminus of inbound UP-W trains?
- The last destination of all inbound trains in the UP-W line is the Ogilvie Transportation Center located in downtown Chicago.
Q. What is the cost of commuting between Elburn and Chicago (Ogilvie)?
- One-way journey in Elburn (Zone 10) to Ogilvie (Zone 1) costs $6.75.
Other options: - Day Pass: $13.50
- Monthly Pass: $135.00
- Weekend Pass: $7 (1 day), $10 (Sat + Sun through Ventra app)
Q. How long does it take to get from Elburn to Ogilvie?
- Approximately one and a half hours. The ride takes 40-60 minutes, usually, in the mid-line stations such as Wheaton or Glen Ellyn.
Q. Is it possible to purchase tickets with the help of the Ventra app?
Yes. You can purchase:
- Day Passes, Weekend Passes, or one-way passes.
- Use your phone as your ticket; no paper is needed.
5. Are there UP-W trains during weekends and holidays?
Yes.
- The Saturday and Sunday service is approximately every pair of hours.
- First train: ~6:25 AM from Elburn
- Prior Train: 11:00 pm- arrives in Chicago
- Passes are offered at a weekend pass of $7 a day or $10 a weekend.
