Chicago-land is known for having 2 seasons, winter and construction. So it’s nice to know that you can eliminate the frustration of driving in the midst of all the construction by taking the Metra. So how convenient to have a Metra station right in Barrington which takes you right into Chicago. The Barrington Metra station is located at 201 S. Spring Street and a stop on the Union Pacific/Northwest Line just about 30 miles from the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago.
I think the best thing about taking the Metra is it’s pretty much always on time. If the schedule says 12:18pm, it arrives a few minutes before but leaves right at 12:18pm. If you work in the city you can guarantee a commute from Barrington to Chicago in just about an hour. And that’s pretty important with a city filled with traffic, winter and summer. There is plenty of room on the train to get comfortable on the main or upper decks. You can even bring your morning coffee and newspaper or sit back and snooze all the way to work. Now that’s my idea of a morning commute. The strict train schedule can be viewed online or you can pick up a paper copy at the ticket counter inside the Barrington Metra station. But as a general rule, there are several trains per hour during rush hour on weekdays.
But the Metra is not just for working commuters. On the weekends, the train runs about every hour and then every 2 hours later in the afternoon and evening. Many families, like the Blum’s family from Barrington use the train to take family weekend trips to Chicago. Dad commutes to Chicago everyday, but on Saturday he and his wife were escorting their daughters to Chicago to spend some time together at Oak Street beach. The girls were also planning to shop Michigan Avenue, visit the American Girl store and take in a Cubs game after spending the night in Chicago with their uncle.
The Barrington Metra station is so centrally located many can walk or ride their bikes to the station in the summer. But if you need to drive, no need to worry about parking because the station is surrounded by a large parking lot and costs just $3 to park all day. On the weekend, parking is free. If you plan to stay over night you can pick up an overnight parking pass from the Village of Barrington.
A one-way ticket to Chicago is $5.50 without gridlock. Or pick up the weekend pass for unlimited rides Saturday and Sunday in and out of Chicago for just $ 7.00. And here’s a bonus, on weekends and holidays, kids ride free with an adult.
You can purchase tickets on the Metra website, at the station or even on the train by one of the friendly conductors. They are also there to assist you getting on and off train and to remind you when you’re at your destination.
So if you are still looking for things to do with your family this summer, take a ride on the Metra. It’s a better way to get to Chicago than driving in lanes that were meant to be shoulders. For more information about the Metra Line and stops along the way or if you have additional questions call 847.381.0065 or visit the Metra website.
