All Metra stations are NOT created equally. The Irving Park Metra Station wasn't created at all,…read morereally. It's more of a Metra stop, not Metra station. I love riding the Metra, I really do, but the Irving Park Metra Station is pretty non-existent save for a platform and three or four "shelters," which are really just roofs on support posts. In the winter, there is no protection from the wind and elements. I suggest hiding out in the stairwells to the platform until the train comes when it's really cold and windy. The address for this Metra stop is kind of deceiving. The address listed above is the official address used on the Metra site, but the location of the inbound platform is really the Irving Park Road entrance to the Kennedy Expressway. The location of the outbound platform is really the intersection of north Avondale and Kedvale avenues. Another note about this Metra stop is that there is no pedestrian bridge extending over the tracks from the inbound and outbound platforms. The only way to get from one platform to the other is to walk all the way around to the traffic bridge at Irving Park Road and Avondale. Also, there is no parking lot for this stop, but there are metered parking spots on Avondale Avenue. There's not much to this Metra station. It gets two stars because of its location, which is right next to the Irving Park Blue Line stop, but that's really its only positive.

Been taking the Metra PNW line for the last 8 yrs. Hopped on and off from Clybourn and Irving Park…read more Metra is weird during bad weather, but I have never experienced train switching sides, knock on wood, and would be impossible to cross to the otherside should that happen. If you must drive, Irving Park is an easier option for free street parking along Avondale east of Kedvale. Outbound train has 2 stairs, 1) by Kedvale and 2) handicap ramp access by Byron along Avondale. To get to the inbound train, there is one main ramp near the 90/94 east entrance. They are not stations, just platforms. Can we get some heaters around here or maybe a wall? even the bus stops have those glass shelters you can hide yourself in from the wind. The speakers for delayed announcements are terrible. I can hear the CTA blue line across the street past the sounds of the highway better than the Metra loudspeaker I'm standing under. The streets on Avondale don't really get shoveled much during the winter and since it tends to be empty of cars overnight, any snow accumulation can become an icy frozen barricade. I've been stuck out there a few times. As much as I like to complain, there is nothing like waiting on the platform seeing the sunrise from downtown, the glorious build up of traffic on the expressway and then hopping on the train perchance to sleep once more before getting to work.

It's awesome to see a main station be spacious. What struck me was being told the bus service was…read morecut back... This is way better than the other locations with a small roof and tight platform. If only they can keep this consistency at all other locations!

I always took this train some times they are delayed but this week they are really really late I…read morewas waiting for 40 Minutes to took this train

I absolutely love this line of the Metra. This stop is a standard city location as it doesn't not…read morehave an actual housing/sheltered facility for waiting unlike its suburb stops on the way (Union Station is the exception to this). With that said, it can be pretty cold in the winter months waiting on the train but if you can live with that, then this is the stop for you. The train is usually on time and I love that I can walk to this stop in under 2 minutes right after I get off the CTA Blue Line Montrose stop

As a California resident, I look at Chicago's public transit system and am filled with envy…read more The trains aren't the cleanest nor do they smell the best, but no one can argue their affordability, efficiency, and convenience. The Chicago transit system is affectionately coined as the "L", short for elevated. One of the most popular trains in Chicago is known as the Blue Line which is 34 miles long and encompasses 33 stations. The part I love most is that it's connected to the O'Hare Airport and goes directly downtown which is the Clark/Lake station. No need to spend a $50+ taxi/Uber ride to get to your destination! The Blue Line can get you downtown for a flat fee of $5 (with one free transfer). It does take 40 minutes, but with the horrendous traffic in Chicago, a taxi ride can take much longer than that and certainly cost a fortune. If going back to O'Hare, it'll only cost $3. ---- Conclusion: Dear Los Angeles, take note of these systems in Chicago and revolutionize the transport game for SoCal someway, somehow. Thanks! Extra Notes: -Accepts credit card and cash -If using cash, have exact change as the machine doesn't give change back -Blue Line runs 24/7! -An unlimited one day pass costs $10, and a three day, unlimited pass costs $20 -If visiting Chicago for the weekend, I recommend just paying for the ride to and from O'Hare. Most of the popular sights in Chicago are within walking distance or a short Uber away. -Be wary of your bags and wallet as the people on the train station can be suspect. -Restrooms in the train stations are dirty. There aren't any restrooms physically inside the train.

Another lame station and pretty nasty place to be. Irving Park has a station on the Blue Line. Of…read moreimportance is that it's one of the last stops before O'Hare. Metra also has a station you can get to from here. This has a reputation for being windy. Busy station compared to any. It serves the Blue Line. This is one of the final stops before the L gets to O'Hare, and so it's busy most of the time. It has numerous transportation options surrounding it. There's a Metra station, the UP Northwest Line, that's here so you can easily transfer between these. Also there's a parking lot for those in cars. The Kennedy goes along this station and it's fucking loud. Pulaski is another major street close by. There's no need to say a lot of people pass through here daily, so it's not good for those with social anxiety, or those who don't like smelling body odor. Good transportation options make this as good as it is. It also is close to many restaurants and shopping, so it gets points for location. This gets even better if you're able to hold your breath, and avoid the rancid stench.

Still a great station after a few years away, due to the pandemic. Now they have more signage,…read moreshowing you where platform1, 2, and 3 are, for the uninitiated who don't know where to stand. Audible announcements tell you where the outbound and inbound trains are, and which platform to stand on to board.

Station is safe, reasonably clean and pretty well lit. No ticket station but that's okay. There are…read morebenches on the outside and seating space inside the station.

Convenient and walkable, which is very key. With American Landmark purchasing the Technology Park…read moreand with all of the new businesses and people moving to this area, the Yellow-line Oakton stop is an essential way of getting to downtown or Evanston. I've taken the Yellowline mainly to get to the loop or Lincolnpark or to see the Cubs and wow, it's sooo easy. The booth always has a CTA employee in it, which adds to the safety. The Yellowline trains are also generally more on the clean side, which is a plus. Oh, there's a bunch of bike stands if you'd like to ride over and lock your bike. Which leads to the one point deduction. For some reason, there are a bunch of plastic and glass bottles that are laying around, beyond the tracks. This isn't Howard station and the CTA has to make a conscious effort to clean up this mess, because the litterbugs won't be going away, unfortunately - even with waste baskets just a few steps away. There isn't any parking here so be careful not to drop off at Crafty Beaver, you may end up getting a ticket like my neighbor. If need to park, you should park at Dempster Yellowline. All in all, consistent, clean, safe and just one stop away from Howard.

I have always passed by Oakton-Skokie, whether it be in my vehicle or enroute to Dempster-Skokie…read morevia Yellow line: Skokie Swift, but never utilized it despite it having access to places I visit in on a weekly basis. Occasionally I work in the area, and in the past I noted Oakton-Skokie as being the closest public transportation access spot to my job which is why I utilized it. I have to say that I love how well-maintained and easily accessible the stops are in Skokie in comparison to Chicago and Evanston. With that being said, some of the pros & cons I noted of Oakton-Skokie are. Pros: -It connects college students to Oakton Community College, which is only half of a mile away. -Easy accessible grocery stores (Market Place on Oakton & ALDI) that are coincidentally next to each other. -Diverse selection of restaurants within Downtown Skokie. Some noted are Libertad, Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill, Sugo Italian Street Food and De-Jred Fine Jamaican Cuisine. -It connects residents and those living outside of Skokie to events, and businesses in downtown Skokie, such as Skokie Theater; The Historical Society/Heritage Museum; the Public Library; St Peter's Catholic Church and Village Hall. -Wheel chair accessible ramp. -The yellow line - Skokie Swift, operates for weekday and weekend Chicago Cubs night games and Wrigley Field concerts going in-bound to until 12:00 AM on game nights. Cons: -The yellow line - Skokie Swift, does not run all night. Other than for Chicago Cubs night games and Wrigley Field concerts, it runs from Dempster to Howard until 11:15 PM, all week. And from Howard to Dempster until 11:00 PM. Thomas G

This is an outdoor, covered, center-island platform station on Chicago's 'L' blue line. The station…read moreis clean and seemingly well lit. The station is staffed, and digital signage is present. There are two entrances upstairs on both sides of Montrose Ave. For amenities, it has a bike rack and a Pepsi machine. A bench or maybe two, and is rather narrow (though I find that often with CTA stations). There are up escalators only, no elevators. There are transfers to busses and Metra nearby. The only real complaint I have is regarding noise. With the highway on both sides, the loudness is unpleasant. With all this, Montrose gets the job done. It's by no means a 'destination' but is easy to navigate and not unpleasant (except for being in the middle of the Kennedy Expressway).

CTA has a station at Montrose. It provides convenient access to downtown and O'Hare. Lots of…read moreconnections to buses that make stops. Kind of clean compared to others so that's good. There's access close by for Metra. Best thing is the convenience. It serves the Blue Line. The station is pretty clean for the most part, and should be, because it was renovated not very long ago and looks modern. Above ground so it has the cleaner air. This is located in the Kennedy Expressway so it gets noisy with all the traffic. Has good things about it. It's close to the Mayfair Metra station. There's usually trains coming pretty often weekdays and even weekends.

All aboard the Skokie Swift!…read more This two-car train serves the Yellow Line, and makes 2 service stops: from Dempster-Skokie to Oakton-Skokie to Howard and vice versa, with a connecting service to the Purple or the Red Line at Howard. Note the weekday and the weekend schedules for times and any service alerts. Right off of Dempster, there are parking lots and indoor bike parking available, with also connections to the CTA and the Pace buses. Super convenient for those who are commuting from the North Shore 'hood. +vehicle and bike parking available

Nothing glamorous ... have been using this location on and off for many years. It is probably the…read moreeasiest way to get into the city from North Suburbs. Parking is generally available and reasonably priced. Skokie is also quite a diverse area, so a lot of restaurants and such nearby as well.

Pretty wide area with some seating but not a lot. Only on benches scattered in the area. There is a…read morelarge heating area for when it's cold. Pick-up/drop-off is easy because of the roundabout layout. Not a lot of parking though. Steps away from 7-11.

Awesome place! I travel from here a lot. Buses are nice and the crime here is during the night. The…read moreblue line is pretty safe on the north side so I have no issue. The metra here is awesome too!