Metrolink Free Ride Day 2026: 8 Easy Train Trips With Kids!
Here's a sentence every parent loves to hear: no ticket required. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, every Metrolink and Arrow train in Southern California is FREE to ride all day, and your family can hop on and off as many times as you like. It's the Metrolink free ride day for California Clean Air Day, and it may be the easiest (and cheapest) adventure you plan with kids this fall.
Whether your little one is obsessed with trains or you simply want a day without freeway traffic, this guide covers how Metrolink free ride day works, which buses and trains connect for free, and eight family-friendly places you can reach from a station. We also share the parent tips that make a weekday train trip with kids go smoothly.
Metrolink Free Ride Day 2026 at a Glance
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Hours: All day, on every regularly scheduled train
Trains: All Metrolink lines, plus Arrow service between San Bernardino and Redlands
Cost: Free for everyone, with no ticket, pass, or app needed
Not included: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains
Official info: Metrolink Free Ride Days
The ride is free, but the timetable still rules the day, because trains run on their normal Wednesday schedule. We'll get to planning tips below, but the short version is simple: look up your return train before you leave home.
Why Is Metrolink Free on October 7?
October 7 is California Clean Air Day, an annual statewide effort organized by the nonprofit Coalition for Clean Air. Metrolink celebrates by letting everyone ride free, hoping new riders discover how relaxing a car-free day can feel. According to Metrolink, Clean Air Day falls on the first Wednesday of October each year.
The California Clean Air Day website also invites Californians to pledge small actions that help the air, like taking transit, walking, or biking instead of driving. There are student pledge options for elementary, middle, and high schoolers, which makes the day an easy teaching moment. Ask your kids how many cars they think your train replaced, and watch the wheels turn (literally and figuratively).
This year's free ride day is presented by Visit Ventura, which is why Ventura gets extra love in Metrolink's promotion. Spoiler: the station is steps from downtown and the beach, and we include it in our day trip picks below.
How Metrolink Free Ride Day Works
There's no promo code, sign-up, or special boarding pass. You walk onto the platform, board the train, and ride.
Board any Metrolink or Arrow train on October 7 without a ticket.
Ride as many times as you want that day, in any direction.
Seats are first-come, first-served, and trains may be busier than usual, so be ready to stand for part of the trip.
Free rides do not apply to Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains, even at stations they share with Metrolink.
If you accidentally buy or activate a ticket, Metrolink says some riders may be able to request a refund online.
Free Buses and Trains That Connect on Clean Air Day
The fun doesn't have to end at the train station. Metrolink reports that these connecting transit operators are also offering free rides on Wednesday, October 7:
LA Metro buses and trains
San Bernardino County transit, including Omnitrans buses
Ventura County transit
Riverside Transit Agency buses
Orange County transit, including OC Bus
That means you could ride Metrolink into Union Station, hop on LA Metro, and reach a museum without paying a single fare. Participation can vary by agency, so confirm with the bus or rail operator you plan to use before you go. The LA Metro trip planner is handy for mapping transfers in Los Angeles County.
8 Easy Metrolink Day Trips With Kids
Not sure where to go? These family-friendly stops are right by a station or an easy hop away on a free connection. We focused on places where little legs won't have to walk for miles.
Los Angeles Union Station
800 N Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: Free to explore
Most Metrolink lines run into Union Station, and the station is a destination all by itself. Kids love the grand waiting room with its oversized chandeliers and big leather chairs, and train fans can watch arrivals and departures for as long as patience (and snacks) last.
Cross Alameda Street to reach Olvera Street, the colorful marketplace inside the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Browse the stalls, let the kids pick a small souvenir, and grab a bite before heading home.
Parent tip: Union Station is a busy transit hub. Agree on a meeting spot, like the main waiting room, in case anyone gets separated.
700 Exposition Park Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Free general admission (IMAX and special exhibits cost extra)
Pair a free train ride with a free museum. From Union Station, ride LA Metro (also free on Clean Air Day) to the Expo Park/USC station, which sits across the street from the Science Center. The permanent galleries are free and don't need a reservation.
Heads up for space fans: the Space Shuttle Endeavour is off display for several years, until its future home, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, opens. There's still plenty for curious kids to touch, test, and explore.
Parent tip: Map your route from Union Station with the Metro trip planner before you go, since you'll likely switch lines downtown.
26801 Old Mission Rd
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (admission sold until 4:45 p.m.)
Admission: $19 adults (18-59), $16 seniors, $11 youth 5 and up and students, free for kids 4 and under
The San Juan Capistrano station sits in the historic Los Rios neighborhood, a short walk from the mission's gardens, fountains, and centuries-old adobe walls. It's a living history lesson that feels more like a treasure hunt, especially for fourth graders studying the California missions.
Parent tip: Weekday Orange County Line service is limited to a handful of trains in each direction, so build your day around the train times rather than the other way around.
31791 Los Rios St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Paid admission; check the website for current hours and prices
In the same historic neighborhood, River Street Ranch is a petting zoo where kids can meet horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, a llama, an alpaca, and even an emu. The ranch also offers pony, tractor, and train rides, plus a mining and digging area for little prospectors.
Parent tip: Combine the ranch with the mission for a full San Juan Capistrano day, and pack wipes for after animal time.
Ventura – Downtown/Beach station
39 E Harbor Blvd
Ventura, CA 93001
Cost: Free beach time
Metrolink's Ventura – Downtown/Beach station puts your family near the sand, the Ventura Promenade, and downtown shops and restaurants. Bring a bucket and shovel, and let the kids burn off their energy after the ride up the coast.
Parent tip: The Ventura County Line has fewer weekday trains than some other lines. Check the Ventura – Downtown/Beach station page and the schedule, and choose your return train before you commit.
Oceanside Transit Center
235 S Tremont St
Oceanside, CA 92054
Cost: Free beach time
Oceanside sits at the southern end of the Orange County Line, and the reward is a classic beach town. From the transit center, it's about a 10-minute, mostly flat walk through downtown to the beach, with the pier close by.
Parent tip: This is one of the longer rides from Los Angeles, so make the train part of the fun. Pack a card game or a window-spotting checklist with surfers, boats, and trains heading the other way.
Claremont station
200 W First St
Claremont, CA 91711
Cost: Free to stroll
On the San Bernardino Line, Claremont may be the easiest stop of all. Walk across the street from the historic 1927 Santa Fe depot and you're in Claremont Village, a walkable downtown with cafés, restaurants, independent shops, and an outdoor plaza where kids can stretch their legs.
Parent tip: This is a great pick for toddlers. Grab a treat, explore for an hour or two, and head back whenever naptime calls.
Redlands – Downtown station
351 Orange St
Redlands, CA 92373
Cost: Free to ride and stroll
Arrow is Metrolink's rail service between San Bernardino and Redlands, running along a nine-mile route with five stations. Little train fans score bonus points for riding two kinds of trains in one day: take the San Bernardino Line to San Bernardino – Downtown, then transfer to Arrow.
The Redlands – Downtown station drops you in the heart of downtown Redlands for a stroll and a snack. On weekdays, Arrow runs about every 60 minutes midday and every 30 minutes in the early morning and evening, so a quick schedule check saves a lot of platform waiting.
Parent tip: Metrolink notes that San Bernardino Line express trains 381 and 382 skip the other Arrow stations but do stop at Redlands – Downtown, so read train numbers carefully.
Have a Little Train Fan? Make the Ride the Adventure
Some of our favorite train days don't have a destination at all. For a toddler or preschooler, riding out a few stops and back can be the whole outing, and on October 7 it costs nothing to try.
Metrolink's double-decker cars have big windows, so head upstairs for the best views. Count tunnels, wave at freight trains, and let the kids listen for the conductor's announcements. If you're already on the San Bernardino Line, adding a round trip on Arrow is an easy way to stretch the fun.
Want more railroad fun after Clean Air Day? See our list of the best places in Southern California to take your little engineer for a train ride.
Parent Tips for a Smooth Metrolink Free Ride Day
A free train ride is only fun if everyone gets home happy. Here's what we'd tell a friend before the big day.
Plan your return first. Some lines run more trains during commute hours and fewer midday, so look up your last good train home before you leave.
Arrive early. Free ride days can bring bigger crowds, and seating is first-come, first-served.
Check station parking. Lots and rules vary, so look up your station on Metrolink's parking at train stations page.
Bring bikes the right way. Bikes go in designated bike areas on a first-come, first-served basis, so review Metrolink's bike guidelines first.
Pack light but smart. Water, snacks, sunscreen, and a small activity bag go a long way. Review what's allowed onboard if you're bringing a stroller or wagon.
Think about timing. October 7 is a Wednesday, so this works best for little ones not yet in school, homeschool families, or an after-school ride if your line has evening trains.
More Metrolink Free Ride Days to Know About
Clean Air Day isn't Metrolink's only free day. The agency also lists free rides on Transit Equity Day (February 4), Earth Day (April 22), and Bike Day, held on the Thursday of Bike to Work Week and free only for riders who bring a bicycle. Each day has its own guidelines, so check Metrolink's free ride days page for the details each year.
If you can't make October 7, Metrolink also runs a $10 Weekends promotion for weekend trips. Check the page for current terms, since promotions can change.
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Takeaway
Metrolink free ride day on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, is a rare chance to explore Southern California by train without paying a cent. Every Metrolink and Arrow train is free all day, and several connecting bus and rail systems are joining in.
Pick one easy destination, plan your return trip first, and let the journey be part of the fun. Whether you end up at a beach, a mission, a petting zoo, or simply back where you started with a happy toddler, that's a win.
Looking for more budget-friendly ideas? Browse our free things to do with kids in LA.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Metrolink really free on October 7, 2026?
Yes. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, anyone can ride any Metrolink or Arrow train all day without a ticket, pass, or app, according to Metrolink. You can ride as many times as you like that day.
2. Do kids need a ticket on Metrolink free ride day?
No. Nobody needs a ticket on October 7, adults or kids. Seats are first-come, first-served, so families who want to sit together should arrive a little early.
3. Is LA Metro also free on California Clean Air Day?
Metrolink lists LA Metro buses and trains among the connecting operators offering free rides on October 7, along with Omnitrans, Ventura County transit, Riverside Transit Agency, and OC Bus. Participation can vary, so confirm with each agency before you ride.
4. Can I ride the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for free on Metrolink free ride day?
No. Free rides apply only to Metrolink and Arrow trains. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains still require a regular Amtrak ticket or valid pass, even at stations shared with Metrolink.
5. What are good Metrolink day trips with kids?
Easy picks include Union Station and Olvera Street in Los Angeles, the free California Science Center via LA Metro, Mission San Juan Capistrano and River Street Ranch, Ventura's downtown beach, Oceanside's beach and pier, Claremont Village, and downtown Redlands via Arrow.
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