AAFrequentFlyer

* Chicago on $5 a day. Or less: You can enjoy unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains with our 1, 2, 3, or 5-day Visitor Passes. Your pass activates the first time you use it and is good for the number of consecutive days shown on the front of the pass. CTA's Visitor Passes make getting to Chicago's top attractions quick, easy and more affordable than cab rides or parking fees.

Note: CTA Visitor Passes are also valid on Pace buses (except Pace route 835). CTA Visitor Passes are not valid on Metra (commuter railroad) trains. Visitor Passes cannot be shared or recharged.

* Your Best Travel Value: Visitor Passes offer you the most economical travel value. With unlimited rides, the more you ride, the more you save!
o 1-Day Visitor Pass for $5
o 2-Day Visitor Pass for $9
o 3-Day Visitor Pass for $12
o 5-Day Visitor Pass for $18

Note: For multiple rides on CTA, Visitor Passes are a great option for kids, too. The regular cash fare for kids ages 7-11 is $1. Children under age 7 ride free.

* Easy to Use: Your pass activates the first time you use it. Just dip your pass into the bus farecard machine or the train station turnstile---and go! The pass is good for the number of consecutive days shown on the front of the card. As an example, a 3-day pass is valid for 72 hours from the time of first use and the expiration date and time is printed on the back of the card after it is used.

* CTA is at Your Service: Whether you're planning a conference or convention, visiting Chicago with friends or by yourself, the CTA is at your service.

We will provide you with connections, directions and customized group itineraries and send you complimentary maps and brochures.

Just call 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282) and you will be connected to a transit specialist, who will arrange an advanced purchase of your passes and will help you plan your trip on the CTA.

Travel Tip: For groups of 15 or more, call us prior to your trip, so we can be sure to accommodate all of your group's transit needs.

* Easy to Buy: Enjoy the convenience of ordering Visitor Passes in advance online.

To order passes online, just click on "CTA Store" at the bottom of this section. On the CTA Store page, click on "Transit Cards," and then click on "Go to order form." Order today, and you will receive your Visitor Passes within 10 business days. All major credit cards are accepted, and there's no charge for shipping. All sales are final.

You can also buy your pass the day you need it. Visitor Passes are sold at many local outlets, including O'Hare and Midway CTA stations, Visitor Information Centers, Hot Tix and downtown Jewel food stores. Just call 1-888-YOUR-CTA for sales outlets and locations.

Travel tip: Sales Outlets only carry a limited number of Visitor Passes. When possible, especially for large groups, please order Visitor Passes in advance.

* Maps and Schedules: Now CTA bus schedules and rail timetables are only a click away. It's easy! Just click on Routes & Schedules to view, download, or print bus schedules and rail timetables.

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Visitor Pass Sales Locations - CHICAGO
Loop/Near west
Chicago Cultural Center
312-742-0079 Shop at the Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St.
Open 10 a.m. - 6 P.M. Weekdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.
Chicago Transit
Authority
888-YOUR-CTA 567 W. Lake Street,
Chicago, IL 60661
Open weekdays 8am - 4:30pm Closed Holidays
Ira J. and Nikki Harris
Family Hostel
312-583-2223 24 E. Congress Pkwy.
Open daily 24 hours.
Hot Tix Ticket Center
312-554-9800 72 E. Randolph St.
Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tue. - Sat.,
Noon - 5 p.m. Sun.
Illinois Center Currency Exchange
312-236-4811 James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St., Main Level
Open weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Osco Drug
312-609-1215 137 S. State St.,
Open 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon. - Fri.,
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat.,
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun.
Regional Transportation
Authority
312-913-3110 Customer Service Center
175 W. Jackson, Ste. 250
Open weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sears Tower
312-382-0142 Accent Chicago Store
Skydeck Entrance,
233 S. Wacker Dr.
Open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Union Station
225 S. Canal St.,
Metra Ticket Concourse
Visitor Pass Vending Machine
Open daily 5am - 12:30am
North Michigan Avenue/Near North
Chicago Marriott
Downtown
312-836-6337 540 N. Michigan Ave.
Gift Shop - 2nd Floor
Open daily 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Chicago Rush Currency
Exchange
312-944-4643 62 E. Chicago Ave.
Open daily 24 hours
Chicago Water Works
Visitor Center 163 E. Pearson
Visitor Pass Vending Machine
Open daily 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Accepts Credit and Debit cards
Hot Tix Ticket
Center
312-554-9800 163 E. Pearson St.
Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tue. - Sat., Noon - 5 p.m. Sun.
Jewel Foods/Grand Plaza Market
312-527-2162 550 N. State St.
Open daily 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Jewel Foods
312-944-6950 1210 N. Clark St.
Open 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. Mon.,
24 hours Tues. - Sun.
Navy Pier
312-595-5413 Navy Pier Store in the Family Pavilion
700 E Grand Ave.
Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun. - Thur.,
10 a.m. - midnight Fri. - Sat.
Osco Drug
312-280-8371 1165 N. Clark St.
Open daily 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat.
St. Clair-Ohio Currency
Exchange
312-494-9090 543 N. St. Clair St.
Open 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat.
State-Ohio Currency
Exchange
312-787-3535 10 W. Ohio St.
Open 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Thur., 8:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m.
Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat.
Upper Mart Currency Exchange
312-661-1004 Merchandise Mart Plaza,
350 N. Wells St. 2nd Floor
Open weekdays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Museum Campus/Near South
McCormick Place
708-496-3536 Chicago Sports and Novelty Store
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive (King Dr).
Open during trade shows
Shedd Aquarium
312-692-3100 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Open daily 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Jewel Foods
312-663-0580 1224 S. Wabash
Open daily 24 hours
North
Jewel Foods
773-784-1922 3400 N. Western Ave.
Open 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. Mon.,
24 hours Tues. - Sun.
Jewel Foods
773-784-1922 5343 N. Broadway
Open daily 6 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Kimball Lawrence Currency
Exchange
773-267-4600 3421 W. Lawrence Ave.
Open 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat.,
Fri., 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.
Lincoln Park Market
773-477-9372 2500 N. Clark St.
Open daily 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
West
Federal Currency Exchange
312-733-4747 744 N. Damen Ave.
Open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon - Fri.,
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat.,
7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sun.
House of Two
Urns Bed &
Breakfast
773-235-1408 1239 N. Greenview
South
Halsted - 55th Currency Exchange
773-268-8900 5450 S. Halsted St.
Open 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. Mon - Fri.,
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat.,
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.
Halsted - 59th Currency Exchange
773-487-0300 5859 S. Halsted St.
Open 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. Mon - Fri.,
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat.,
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.
SUBURBAN LOCATIONS
Oak Lawn
Hilton Oak Lawn
708-229-8915 9333 S. Cicero Ave.
AIRPORTS/CTA STATIONS
Chicago Red
Line Station
800 N. State St.
Visitor Pass Vending Machine available 24 hours per day
Accepts credit and debit cards
Cumberland Blue
Line Station
5800 N. Cumberland Av.
Visitor Pass Vending Machine available 24 hours per day
Accepts credit and debit cards
Midway Airport Orange
Line Station
4612 W. 59th St.
Visitor Pass Vending Machine available 24 hours per day
Accepts credit and debit cards
O'Hare Airport Blue
Line Station
Main Parking Garage, Lower Level
Visitor Pass Vending Machine available 24 hours per day
Accepts credit and debit cards
Rosemont Blue
Line Station
5801 N. River Road, Rosemont
Visitor Pass Vending Machine available 24 hours per day
Accepts Credit and debit Cards

JJ5

Wow, they sure want those visitors in Chicago.

But someone like me, who has to come from/through 2 or 3 different systems and yet is only 18 or so miles away. Well, pay up.

Oh yeah, that's the SOUTH direction, not the NORTH or WEST. Faina gets a lot better deal than I as a Southern Cook or Will County person does.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Use the Visitor pass, Faina. There's no need to purchase in advance, there is a machine at Midway.

We found the website seems incorrect. There were no 5 day passes, just 1, 2, 3, and 7 -- ($5, $9, %12, $??)

Travel to your hearts content. You walk a LONG walkway thru and around the parking garage - it's well marked - and when you finally get to the end you'll encounter the farecard and pass vending machines. The visitor pass was the machine on the left, the farecard machine was for "per-ride" type cards. If you are purchasing with cash, have exact amount of currency with you; there will be no place nearby for change. It takes credit cards and debit cards too, but would not accept 2 that I tried to use (no problems elsewhere) .. so be aware of that.

The Orange line run to town will originate at the airport, so if you and your luggage are on when the train first opens for passengers the rest of the trip should go smoothly ... IF you can carry your bags down stairs; I don't recall seeing elevators, but may be wrong. I can't wait to go back to Chicago - have a great trip.

FainaAgain

I came upon "Jane Addams Hull House" - is this one of the Addams Family haunted houses?

Kal

I heard she made her money in rice, popcorn and ship building.

JJ5

You guys are funny.

Jane Addams' Hull House is the original Social Center (this is on the grounds of the present U.of I.Campus at Chicago - used to be called Circle Campus)which Jane founded to help masses of immigrants (mostly Italian) coming to Chicago more than a century ago. She developed classes that taught women everything they needed to know as housewives or earners. How to wash clothes, sew, personal hygiene in an urban environment for their families, help for sicknesses etc. These were people all coming into a hostile urban situation from a rural one with no idea of living arrangements, language etc. and trying to survive winters within unbelieveable density and poverty.

She helped many different groups of immigrants starting as a wealthy girl who didn't go the debutante route. She is the mentor for many social workers and some nurses as well. Many of social services' first methods had to be hard fought. She used most of her own money for this but was also a tremendous rabble rouser and fund raiser.

FainaAgain

Sounds like Kal needs those classes

Kal

Sorry. I've always been classless.

FainaAgain

Poor Mrs Kal. I will offer her a shoulder to cry on at the next GTG.

FainaAgain

Reading the new flight rules - what if my luggage doesn't make it? I will need a pharmacy for basics such as toothbrush and inexpensive clothing.

What is close to 15 E Ohio @ Wabash?

seetheworld

Oh come on Faina, why do you need clothes, live a bit on the dark side....don't you want to try streaking?! LOL I hear it's liberating...

FainaAgain

Ha! I'd rather turn what I have iside out and walk in it 2nd day!

AAFrequentFlyer

I'm sure there is a Walgreens/7-Eleven or something similar within walking distance.

Citylghts

There are 2 Walgreen's on Michigan Avenue. One is at Hubbard, 3 blks south of Ohio and one is at Ohio, 5 blks north.

There's also a Jewel/Osco grocery and drug store on the corner of State and Grand Avenue, 1 block west of Wabash and 1 block south.

jlm_mi

It seems there is a pharmacy (or sometimes 2 or 3) on just about every corner in the Loop. So, you may have to head south a few blocks, but you'll have all the selection a girl could ever need.

JJ5

FainaAgain, don't worry.

Sept. 14 GTG? How about meeting in Millenium Park and going to the grill there if you don't want to do a more formal Hancock or whatever? Let me know, as I have to put in for the day off.

And it was just announced yesterday that the John Hancock building is going to be sold (maybe it will get a new name)and the asking price is something like 325-375 MILLION $.

Bear fever in the midst of baseball season here, AND they are starting TV commericials using Marshal Field's 13 hour sale format with the audio to come to Marshal Field's/Macys' etc. Using both names. It makes me ill.

FainaAgain

Hankock is high on my priority list, although I'm 101% sure I'll never be able to bid on it

Grill is fine, formal is fine, any (vegetarian or fish) food agrees with me. I am the kind that has a very budgeted life and splurges on vacations, so don't worry, pick whatever you like. Just no long hikes, please, I am not a good walker.

As for baseball... sorry it's a foreign language for me Let's talk figure skating, LOL

JJ5

You are the traveler, and I have been to neither. I think you are probably closer to John H. Well, when it gets close- you can decide or let MC pick- she actually has more experience your end.

I skated, Faina. A lot, but not figure skating. And I have friends (well a few anyway) who don't even know that I like baseball.

But you know, I have two train Metra tickets left over from the White Sox ticker tape day that we never used getting back (found a ride)- so I'm using them on that Sept. day now. They're good for up to a year.

I haven't been up in the Hancock in AGES- so I'd gladly do that one as well.

FainaAgain

Just checked the weather averages for September... upper 70s??? Hey, I didn't expect that high, you better cool it there or else

Seriously, I thought of packing an umbrella, instead I need a sunblock. Which is not sold yet in the US - the cancer-preventing type, I mean.

So I guess it's a t-shirt type with a very light sweater for mornings and evenings.

Now, what do I pack to blend in with the locals

JJ5

Faina, think just like home in SF. Because although it may be 70, with any wind by the Lake at all, it may feel cooler. And 80 at the Lake feels like 70 elsewhere. Wind chill.

Unless its sunny, sunny summer I always bring a light jacket while going to any Sox night game or when downtown.