Metra Ravenswood Schedule 2026: UP North Line Timetables, Fares, And Commuter Guide

The Ravenswood Metra Station—located at 4800 N. Ravenswood Avenue (at Lawrence Avenue) in Chicago, Illinois—is the primary north-side urban hub on Metra's Union Pacific North (UP-N) Line. Serving as a vital link between the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood neighborhoods and downtown Chicago, the station offers express and local commuter service running south to Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) and north toward Evanston, Highland Park, Waukegan, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Navigating the 2026 Metra UP North Line Timetable at Ravenswood

The Union Pacific North Line operates on a high-density weekday timetable, designed to accommodate heavy peak-hour morning travel into downtown Chicago and evening return trips to the north suburbs. On weekdays, inbound trains from Ravenswood to Ogilvie Transportation Center run frequently, with headways as short as 10 to 15 minutes during peak morning commute windows (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM). Off-peak weekday service and weekend schedules operate on consistent 30-to-60-minute intervals.

Travel time between the Ravenswood Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago is approximately 15 to 18 minutes on standard non-stop or limited-stop runs. This makes commuter rail significantly faster than driving or riding CTA bus and train alternatives along the same corridor during peak rush hours.

Inbound vs. Outbound Service Patterns

Inbound service moves south toward downtown Chicago, making its final terminus at Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC). Outbound service moves north toward the North Shore suburbs and southern Wisconsin.

• Inbound Destinations: Clybourn Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center (Downtown Chicago).
• Outbound Destinations: Rogers Park, Main St. Evanston, Davis St. Evanston, Central St. Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Indian Hill, Winnetka, Hubbard Woods, Glencoe, Braeside, Ravinia, Ravinia Park (seasonal stop), Highland Park, Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest, Great Lakes, Waukegan, Zion, Winthrop Harbor, and Kenosha.

Service notes for riders: Always confirm whether your specific outbound train terminates at Highland Park, Waukegan, or Kenosha, as not all outbound UP-N trips traverse the full length of the line to Wisconsin.

Comprehensive Ravenswood Station Schedule Breakdown

The following table provides an overview of typical train frequencies, transit times, and service windows for the Ravenswood Metra Station across standard operating days in 2026.

Note: Schedules are subject to official Metra service adjustments during heavy weather events or regional holiday operating periods.

Fares, Ticketing Options, and Zone Structure for 2026

Metra operates under a simplified fare structure designed to streamline ticketing across the six-county Chicagoland area. Under this structure, fare pricing is calculated based on travel between designated fare zones.

Zone Classification for Ravenswood

• Ogilvie Transportation Center (Downtown): Zone 1
• Ravenswood Station: Zone 2

Because Ravenswood is located in Zone 2 and downtown OTC is located in Zone 1, trips between Ravenswood and downtown Chicago qualify as a simple 2-Zone travel pass.

2026 Fare Categories and Pricing

1. One-Way Ticket: Valid for a single trip between Zone 1 and Zone 2. One-way tickets can be purchased via the Ventra mobile application, at automated station kiosks, or onboard (a cash surcharge applies onboard if a ticket machine or mobile app purchase was available prior to boarding).
2. Day Pass Basic: Offers unlimited travel between Zone 1 and Zone 2 for an entire day, priced at double the cost of a standard one-way ticket.
3. Day Pass 5-Day Pack: Available exclusively in the Ventra App, offering five individual Day Passes at a discounted rate for hybrid commuters.
4. Monthly Pass: Provides unlimited trips between designated zones for an entire calendar month. Monthly pass holders traveling between Zone 1 and Zone 2 can also purchase the Regional Connect Pass, which provides unlimited rides on CTA buses, CTA elevated trains ("L"), and Pace suburban buses.

Station Amenities, Accessibility, and Connection Options

The Ravenswood Metra Station underwent modern infrastructure overhaul projects to convert it into a fully accessible, state-of-the-art transit facility. Located along the east and west sides of the elevated tracks on Ravenswood Avenue between Lawrence Avenue and Leland Avenue, the station provides key urban amenities.

Physical Facilities and Accessibility

• ADA Compliance: Complete ramps, elevators, and tactile platform edge boarding zones ensure full compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
• Warming Shelters: Glass-enclosed, heated platform shelters are available on both inbound and outbound elevated platforms, activated automatically during cold-weather months.
• Underpass Access: A secure, brightly lit pedestrian underpass at Lawrence Avenue allows safe crossing between inbound (east platform) and outbound (west platform) tracks without crossing street traffic.

Local CTA Transit Connections

Ravenswood Station offers convenient transfers to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail network:

• CTA Bus Route #81 (Lawrence): Board directly outside the station at Lawrence & Ravenswood. Connects east to the CTA Red Line (Lawrence station) and west to the CTA Blue Line (Jefferson Park station).
• CTA Bus Route #50 (Damen): Located one block west at Damen Avenue, running north-south through Lincoln Square, Bucktown, and the Illinois Medical District.
• CTA Brown Line (Damen Station): Located approximately 0.3 miles (a 6-to-8-minute walk) southwest at Damen and Leland Avenues, providing alternate transit service into the Chicago Loop and north to Kimball.

Micro-Mobility and Parking Options

• Divvy Bike Station: A public Divvy bicycle docks system is situated immediately adjacent to the station entrance on Ravenswood Avenue.
• Bicycle Shelters: High-capacity covered bike racks are located beneath the elevated track structures.
• Vehicular Parking: Parking around Ravenswood Station consists primarily of metered city street parking along Lawrence Avenue and non-metered neighborhood zone parking along residential streets. Commuters should check posted street signs for residential permit restrictions (Zone 23) during daytime hours.

Essential Guidelines for Metra Commuters

To ensure a smooth journey on the UP-N Line, commuters should keep several operational policies in mind:

Real-Time Departure Tracking

While printed schedules provide fixed timetables, actual train arrival times can vary due to rail traffic or severe weather. Commuters should utilize the real-time Metra Tracker tool within the official Ventra app to monitor live GPS positions of approaching inbound and outbound trains.

Quiet Car Regulations

Metra enforces a Quiet Car policy on all weekday morning and evening peak-period trains. Designated Quiet Cars are typically the second car from the locomotive and the second car from the rear cab control car.

Inside Quiet Cars, passengers must refrain from taking mobile phone calls, keep electronic devices muted or paired with headphones, and maintain low conversational volume.

Bicycle and Scooter Policies

Bicycles and standard electric scooters are permitted on all Metra trains across the UP-N line, subject to available space in the accessible seating areas of each coach.

• Bicycles must be securely fastened using onboard bungee cords.
• Train conductors hold final authority on whether safe capacity exists to accommodate bicycles.
• Gasoline-powered vehicles and oversized cargo bikes are strictly prohibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to travel from Ravenswood Station to downtown Chicago?

Travel time on the Metra UP North Line from Ravenswood to Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) in downtown Chicago is approximately 15 to 18 minutes. Express trips with fewer stops can reach downtown in under 15 minutes.

What Metra line stops at the Ravenswood station?

Ravenswood is a key station on the Metra Union Pacific North (UP-N) Line. The line runs from Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago north along the lakefront communities through Evanston and Waukegan to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

What zone is the Ravenswood Metra station in for ticket purchasing?

Ravenswood Station is designated as Zone 2 within Metra's fare zone system. Commuters traveling to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago (Zone 1) need to purchase a Zone 1 to Zone 2 fare ticket.

How far is the Ravenswood Metra Station from the CTA Brown Line?

The closest CTA Brown Line station is the Damen station, located roughly 0.3 miles (a 6-to-8-minute walk) southwest of the Ravenswood Metra Station at Damen and Leland Avenues.

Are weekend trains available on the Metra UP North Line from Ravenswood?

Yes, Metra operates regular Saturday and Sunday schedules on the UP North Line. Trains generally run on an hourly frequency throughout the weekend, serving both inbound destinations to Ogilvie Transportation Center and outbound stops toward Waukegan.

Plan Your Commute on the Metra UP North Line

Whether traveling daily for work into downtown Chicago or taking a weekend trip along the North Shore, the Ravenswood Metra Station provides fast, reliable commuter rail transit. Download the official Ventra mobile app to purchase tickets digitally, track real-time train locations, and stay updated on the latest service alerts along the UP-N Line.