We decided to ride the Metra train to downtown Chicago to go to the Art Institute of Chicago. The…read moreMetra train is the way to go. Since I was a tourist in my hometown, we went inside to buy train tickets since I don't have the app on my phone. If I was a regular rider, you can buy cheaper monthly passes, etc. The lady in the ticket booth was very friendly and helpful and loved her job. I love that! We bought two one way tickets for each of us for a total of $27, so that works out to just $6.75 one way. You couldn't drive there for that! Just from passing by all the other stations, I think the Roselle Station is one of the biggest and nicest. The conductors on both legs of the trip were nice. On the afternoon return trip, we didn't know it but we sat in the quiet car. Hubby thought the conductor was joking but I took a pic to show him it's a real thing. Upon our return in the afternoon we were surprised to find a white envelope marked "Violation Notice." Bummer, we hadn't seen any signs or kiosks telling us we needed to pay for parking. We saw some front spots with numbers on them and thought maybe regular riders paid a small fee to have a spot up front but had no clue everyone has to pay. Upon going online to pay for my parking ticket I found out that if you pay cash at the kiosk it's $1.50, or $1.80 by credit card. My ticket was for $35.00 if I paid it before the due date or $70.00 if I paid it after the due date. Ouch! It's so fun to ride the train!

It's a train station. You wait, a train arrives, and you're whisked away…read more The few times I've been here were on the weekends when the station building wasn't open, so I can't really review the inside of the station (yet). I hear there's a pretty decent coffee shop inside and I've been waiting to check it out, but now I'm confused as to whether or not it's still open (note to self: I probably should have checked before I posted this review but it was sitting my drafts for months and I just wanted to post it!). Trains are usually on time. Scrolling marquee signs work well. Parking isn't too ridiculous -- you enter the parking lot from Lawrence Ave. and it's a short walk across the tracks to the platform. You can also drop off in the front of the station off Irving Park Road. I live incredibly close, so I just walk here when I need to use the train. All aboard!

We in the Chi! Nice…read morestop right next to O'hare and outlet mall shopping. Also right next to a ton of freeway interchanges so it's a nice meeting point for ride shares etc. Only ever here since it's close to the hotel United airlines puts flight crew up in. I'd either Uber/Lyft into the city or hop on the blue line and go into the city. CTA has its ups and downs. One station is no different really than another metro location. Maybe the further you are from the city you can expect more bus spots and individual car parking spots. This is one of those instances! Physically this is a great station. As far as CTA goes on scheduling and routes that's not the point of this review. Don't put ketchup on your Chicago style hot dog.

About 4 weeks ago I was unable to get out of the parking lot because none of the pay stations could…read moreread my credit card or that of others ahead of me. This time I could prepay for parking as I drove in but the Ventra ticket dispenser

It's one of the more no-frills suburban Metra stations along the line, with no agents, small…read morebathrooms, a water fountain, and vending machines for tickets. There's a modest indoor waiting area that stays warm on the inbound platform (north side of the tracks on Crescent Blvd.), and covered outdoor waiting areas on both sides of the tracks. It's also accessible from the Illinois Prairie bike & pedestrian path, with a bicycle repair station nearby in the public park (Prairie Path Park) to the south. There's plenty of parking up and down the line, and there's a Pace bus stop for the 715 north and south busses. This station features a pedestrian tunnel under the tracks, so you can cross over even with trains approaching. There's an automated PA system and LED sign boards indicating arrival times for trains, and delays. Sadly, the Union Pacific West (UP-W) line is one of the lines more-prone to delays during peak hours (at least compared to other lines I've ridden) due to the never-ending Third Main Line project, some track work near Geneva, or on the eastbound past Oak Park (I don't know if it's track work or regular congestion). In fairness, it seems like every Metra line is getting bogged down the closer you get to the city. Metra staff or contractors seems to clean up fairly regularly, as I rarely see much garbage or dirt in / around the station. Garbage cans seem to be empties regularly enough, that they never seem overfilled. There is plenty of lighting around the station and parking lots, there are a few cameras around the station, and it seems like the area is patrolled by local police frequently enough. You're walking distance to the Main Street shopping area, so there's lots to do in the area between departures. If I'm in the area, I'm not really here for the station, but the station does its job well enough and is a fine gateway to/from the Glen Ellyn Main Street shopping area.

Pretty sub par metra station compared to other Western Suburbs. I like that the bathroom is…read moreaccessible. Never had the coffee but I hear they are nice people.

It's a nice train station on Main Street in Lombard. Lombard is in Zone D of the Metra system. It's…read moreabout 20 miles from Ogilvie. The station is on the Union Pacific/West line between glen Ellyn and Villa Park. You can walk to the 7-11 to get cold water and ice cream in the summer. Midwest summers can be hot!

Grumble. I'm usually not a Metra rider but I'm without a car today. The train was running an hour…read morelate with "no time" anticipated when it might arrive per the overhead announcement . It had not even left Elburn, it said. I grabbed something to eat and missed it when it came. So now I'm taking a $27 Uber. I do appreciate that the station is clean and accessible. I'm on crutches so the ramps are appreciated. I'll give Metra another try tomorrow.

Lovely visit at Big Timber Metra stop on a train ride into Union Station for a day trip in downtown…read moreChicago. Station was clean and so were the train cars both directions. North very busy when we boarded at 10:20 AM. Pleasant ride for us.

I take the metra 1-3x/ week and appreciate being able to use the restroom, get some water, and wait…read morein an air conditioned room while waiting for the train. That being said, the women's restroom is very poorly maintained. I'm talkin graffiti remnants on the walls, toilet paper strewn everywhere, random trash and a wet floor sign (????) on the ground, and what appears to be mildew or mold or some mysterious secretion on the ceiling...

Fairly good for a train station in the suburbs. This is generally kept relatively clean and tidy…read more The building itself is fairly standard for what you expect to see for commuter train stations in the suburbs and the temperature is kept at a comfortable level. One of the big reasons to take a ride at this or the Palatine train stations is that trains stop by here more frequently both inbound and outbound (especially on weekdays), and this is one of the stops that trains from the city will stop in later in the day (be aware of the last train out of the city if you head in from a smaller station).

This has been a trustworthy train station for many years. I've been going to this train station…read moresince I was a child to take the Metra to go to Chicago. The most frustrating part is that the hours that are posted often don't match the hours that the train station is open. On this Saturday morning, I was pleasantly surprised that the station was open. My husband and I were able to wait for the train in the warmth of the station instead of the cold and windy platform. The Metra Arlington Heights Station is still one of the most used stations on the line. The profitability of the train and the growth and success of the Village of Arlington Heights have always been closely linked. William Dunton sold part of his land in Arlington Heights to the entice the train line to come to Arlington Heights and help ensure the future of Arlington Heights. The train brought many people to the village to settle. People found the train a convenient way to live in the suburbs and still work in Chicago. Close to 200 years later this is still the case. With the Chicago Bears moving to Arlington Heights, the train will become even more important to the success of both the village and the football team.

First time at this station as a passenger to be picked up, the Hanover Park stop for Metra is part…read moreof the Milwaukee District West line, ending at Big Timber near Elgin IL. We usually do the picking up of passengers who work in downtown Chicago, but this time, we were the passengers coming from Los Angeles, via Union Station in Chicago. We got dropped off on the rail bridge that spans County Farm Rd, and it's a bit of a walk to the front of the station. There is both a North and Side where you can get picked up (with the North side having the parking lot). Everything was closed inside the station, but it looks like it does have a small cafe (with a blinking 'Open' sign). Pick up was easy, and we were on our way.

The parking at this station has some room for improvement. The parking lot is long and narrow and…read moreit can take some time not only to find a spot, but to get out of it as well. They do have a stoplight for entering and exiting traffic, but I saw several instances of commuters making a U turn in the lot instead of waiting their turn in line. Honestly, it's not what you want to see after working all day, sitting on the train and then hoofing it out to your car. The traffic flow needs to be adjusted and they need more steps up to the platform as there aren't that many for this size parking lot. Step it up people, we are paying Metra a pretty penny for our train rides!

Never clean, trash on the floor and benches. Homeless are always inside and some are violent. No…read morematter how many times you report they still don't come regularly to check. 1/2 the parking you need a permit so it can be difficult to find a spot some days.

Inside area to wait that is also heated or cooled depending on the season. Train maps and live wait…read moretimes are available. No bathrooms so plan accordingly.

This suburban Metra station was just remodeled and they have done an excellent job with the…read morelanscaping and beutificaiton. The only thing that could improve is equipping the shelters with AC to cool off commuters.