Public Transportation in Chicago

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Public Transportation

Chicago's extensive public transportation network includes rapid transit trains, buses, and a commuter rail network. The Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA, operates the rapid transit trains (the El), city buses, and suburban buses (PACE). Metra runs the commuter rail.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) for northeastern Illinois oversees and coordinates the activities of the CTA and Metra. The RTA's Web site can be a useful first stop if you are planning to combine suburban and city public transit while in Chicago.

Information

RTA Travel Information Center (312/836-7000. www.rtachicago.com).

CTA: The El & Buses

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates rapid transit trains and buses.

Chicago's rapid transit train system is known as the El. Each of the seven lines has a color name as well as a route name: Blue (O'Hare-Congress-Douglas), Brown (Ravenswood), Green (Lake-Englewood-Jackson Park), Orange (Midway), Purple (Evanston), Red (Howard-Dan Ryan), Yellow (Skokie-Swift). In general, the route names indicate the first and last stop on the train. Chicagoans refer to trains both by the color and the route name. Most, but not all, rapid transit lines operate 24 hours; some stations are closed at night. The El, though very crowded during rush hours, is the quickest way to get around (unless you're coming from the suburbs, in which case the Metra is quicker but doesn't run as often). Trains run every 15 minutes, though during rush hour they run about every 10 minutes and on weekends, every 30 minutes. Pick up the brochure "Downtown Transit Sightseeing Guide" for hours, fares, and other pertinent information. In general, late-night CTA travel is not recommended. Note that the Red and Blue lines are subways; the rest are elevated. This means if you're heading to O'Hare and looking for the Blue Line, look for a stairway down, not up.

Exact fares must be paid in cash (dollar bills or coins; no change given by turnstiles on train platforms or fare boxes on buses) or by transit card. Transit cards are flimsy plastic and credit-card size and can be purchased from machines at CTA train stations as well as at Jewel and Dominicks grocery stores and currency exchanges. These easy-to-use cards are inserted into the turnstiles at CTA train stations and into machines as you board CTA buses; directions are clearly posted. Use them to transfer between CTA vehicles. To transfer between the Loop's elevated lines and the subway or between rapid transit trains and buses, you must either use a transit card with at least 30¢ stored on it, or, if you're not using a transit card, buy a transfer when you first board. If two CTA train lines meet, you can transfer for free. You can also obtain free train-to-train transfers from specially marked turnstiles at the Washington/State subway station or the State/Lake El station, or ask for a transfer card, good on downtown trains, at the ticket booth.

Buses generally stop on every other corner northbound and southbound (on State Street they stop at every corner). Eastbound and westbound buses generally stop on every corner. Buses from the Loop generally run north-south. Principal transfer points are on Michigan Avenue at the north side of Randolph Street for northbound buses, Adams Street and Wabash Avenue for westbound buses and the El, and State and Lake streets for southbound buses.

Buses are crowded during rush hour. Schedules vary depending on the time of day and route, and run every eight to 15 minutes, though service is less frequent on weekends, very early in the morning, and late at night. Schedules are available online at www.transitchicago.com.

Pace runs suburban buses in a six-county region; these connect with the CTA and use CTA transit cards, transfers, and passes.

CTA Fares: The CTA fare structure is as follows: the basic fare for rapid transit trains and buses is $1.75, and transfers are 25¢. Transit cards can be purchased in preset denominations of $10 ($11 worth of rides) or $20 ($22 worth of rides) at many local grocery stores, currency exchanges, and stations. You can also purchase a transit card of any denomination over $1.50 at any CTA stop. If you pay cash and do not use a transit card, you must buy a transfer when you first board the bus or train. Transfers can be used twice within a two-hour time period. Transfers between CTA train lines are free -- no transfer card is needed. Transit cards may be shared.

For $5, a one-day Visitor Pass offers 24 hours of unlimited CTA riding from the time you first use it. Visitor Passes are sold at hotels, museums, and other places tourists frequent, plus all transit card booths. A two-day pass is $9, a three-day pass is $12, and a five-day pass is $18.

Information

CTA (Merchandise Mart, 350 N. Wells St., 60654. 888/968-7282 advance sales of visitor passes; 312/836-7000. www.transitchicago.com).

Metra: Commuter Trains

Metra commuter trains serve the city and surrounding suburbs. The Metra Electric railroad has a line close to Lake Michigan; its trains stop in Hyde Park. The Metra commuter rail system has 11 lines to suburbs and surrounding cities including Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, and Waukegan; one line serves the North Shore suburbs, and another has a stop at McCormick Place. Trains leave from a number of downtown terminals.

Metra trains use a fare structure based on the distance you ride. A Metra weekend pass costs $5 and is valid for rides on any of the eight operating lines all day on weekends, except for the South Shore line.

Information

Metra information line (312/322-6777. www.metrarail.com).