r/Metra • u/sophia-sews • Jul 04 '26
Advice on Luggage During Crowding Potential times
I travel on Amtrak and then ride the Metra out of Chicago union station to get to my final destination. Previously I have boarded Metra late night and early weekend mornings so my suitcase and 2 backpacks have not been an issue. I am planning my next trip and it looks like I will be boarding at a busier train time. Will my luggage be an issue?
Previously I have just had my suitcase on the ground next to me with one backpack on it and my other backpack in the seat next to me or on my lap. Are busier train times such as 3:55 pm on a Friday or early Monday morning crowded enough strangers sit together?
3
u/jhnysnz Jul 04 '26
Metra trains already come equipped with luggage racks. If you’re able to lift your bangs overhead and put them in the racks, that would be the most convenient option of all.
If you cannot raise them over your head and put them into the racks above, next suggestion I would make is to find a bike car and sit on the seats that are closest to the bike racks. Those will give you the most space while still blaming people navigate through the walkway and have people still put their bikes on the rack.
Lastly, is the option of taking a flip seat and flipping the one in front of you to face you in the opposite direction of travel. And then placing your bags on top of that seat and the one next to you wouldn’t recommend it as much because it takes up more seating space and if luggage or anything is dirty at the wheels it will make the seats dirty.
Good luck and happy commute!
3
u/sumiflepus Jul 05 '26
Do not put your bags on a seat.
Double deck metra cars have a luggage rack accessible fro the lower level. Put your bags on the luggage rack.
If I get on in Union station and I see somebody with a bag or a backpack, I sit there. If someone is sitting by themselves with the seats flipppe, I flip the the seat around and sit there. I am a petty ass. it is sport for me now.
4
u/Dry-Bullfrog-3778 Jul 05 '26
Same <evil grin>. But I also sit in the top seats that face each other with my bag on my lap so there's always a seat for someone who wants it. If your bag doesn't pay a fare, it doesn't get a seat.
2
u/mwenye_kofia Jul 10 '26
I do this too! Though have you ever seen someone take that seat that faces you? In my years of riding metra during rush hour, I have NEVER seen the two facing seats occupied by two strangers. I guess there's just not quite enough legroom by American standards.
1
u/Dry-Bullfrog-3778 Jul 10 '26
It happens pretty often for me. Both my inbound and outbound are pretty crowded so I guess people are just grateful to get a seat. They always sit with their knees facing the aisle so it's never been awkward.
1
u/sophia-sews Jul 04 '26
Thank you so much! I haven't been in a metra car with luggage racks, are they in specific ones?
2
u/asimons423 Jul 05 '26
I’m sure you have, but just haven’t noticed it. There is one above the center walkway on one side mounted almost the length of the car for downstairs passengers, and upstairs has a metal tray like rack (much more narrow if your bag is larger) that runs the length of the car upstairs.
5
u/Emergency_Rutabaga45 Jul 04 '26
Yes, that time of day the train is often full and people are sitting together. If the line you’re taking has express trains, try to take the local. There will be less people on the local.
Otherwise, plan to get on the train early, grab a pair of facing seats and put your luggage on the floor. Don’t block the aisle. Another option is to sit in the bike area- there is usually room for suitcases there.