Begin a perfect day in Oak Park, Illinois on the Metra. Whether coming from downtown Chicago or heading in from the western suburbs, you’ll discover the train is one of the easiest—and most fun—ways to explore this historic, tree-lined village.
Bonus: Kids love it, adults can relax, and you roll into town just steps from shops, parks, and attractions.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting The Village of Oak Park by train.
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Imagine a hassle-free, fun family day trip! No parking struggles, no traffic jams—just a scenic ride straight into town. Kids love the train ride, and you can sit back and take a pass on the stress of driving. The train is eco-friendly, affordable, and surprisingly quick. You’ll reach your destination faster, arrive relaxed, and be ready to explore Oak Park—without the added frustration of circling town looking for a parking spot.
If you’re coming from downtown Chicago, board the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Metra Line at Ogilvie Transportation Center. The Oak Park station (located near Marion Street and North Boulevard) is just 15–20 minutes away and drops you right in the heart of downtown—steps from shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions.
Metra trains run regularly on weekdays and weekends. On weekends and select holidays, up to three children aged 11 and under can ride free with each fare-paying adult. You can purchase one-way or round-trip tickets on the Ventra app—which lets you show your ticket to the conductor directly from your smartphone. You can also buy a Saturday/Sunday/Holiday Day Pass with cash from the conductor onboard.
Bring your bike or scooter! Metra’s updated policy allows bicycles and scooters (including e-bikes and e-scooters) on all trains. Riders can place them in the priority seating areas of ADA-accessible railcars or use the bike racks on railcars marked with the bike logo. There is no additional charge, but space is first-come, first-served, and passengers with disabilities have priority in ADA-accessible cars.
Be sure to check the Metra app or Metra.com for real-time travel information, schedules, and fares.
Coming from further west? The UP-W line runs from Elburn to Chicago, stopping at key suburbs like Geneva, Wheaton, and Elmhurst before reaching Oak Park—making it easy to plan your day trip from just about anywhere along the line. The UP-W line also serves nearby communities like Maywood, giving even more travelers a simple and scenic route into Oak Park.
If Metra’s not convenient for you, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has options that make reaching Oak Park easy.
The CTA Green Line runs from Chicago’s Loop to Harlem/Lake in Oak Park, which serves as the line’s western terminus. The Oak Park station at Oak Park Avenue and South Boulevard is the closest to Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.
The CTA Blue Line also runs to Oak Park. The station is alongside the Eisenhower Expressway between Oak Park Avenue and East Avenue, steps from the Oak Park Conservatory.
Make a full day of it! Oak Park offers many attractions, from history, foodie, and architecture tours to international and innovative dining. Keep the kids entertained for hours, shop ‘til you drop, or simply sit on a park bench, enjoying wide open green spaces and a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It's all just steps from the train station!