Getting Around the City via Public Transportation
Getting around Chicago is simple and quick, thanks to buses and the
"L," a system of elevated trains operated 24 hours a day by the Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA; tel 312/836-7000, ). Pick up a CTA System Map,
available at most subway stations and visitor centers or from the CTA
office on the seventh floor of the Merchandise Mart. Buses run
every five to fifteen minutes during rush hours and every eight to
twenty minutes at most other times. Rapid transit trains run
every five to fifteen minutes during the day and every fifteen to sixty
minutes all night. Lines are color-coded and denoted by route rather
than destination. The Howard-Dan Ryan is the Red Line; Lake
Englewood-Jackson Park is the Green Line; the O'Hare-Congress-Douglas is
the Blue Line; the Ravenswood is the Brown Line (whose trains circle the
Loop, giving the area its name); the Evanston Express is the Purple
Line; and the Skokie Swift is the Yellow Line.
SUMMER SEASON SPECIAL! (Memorial
Day to Labor Day only)
Learn about the Free Chicago Trolley
Bus.
Chicago's taxis , despite a
recent increase in fares, are more reasonable than those of many other
major US cities. Charges are $1.50 at the drop of the flag, $1.20 per
mile and 50˘ for each additional passenger. Cabs can be hailed anytime
in the Loop and other central neighborhoods; otherwise call Yellow (tel
312/829-4222) or Checker taxis (tel 312/243-2537).
CTA, RTA, Metra,
PACE - What does it all mean?
In order to get around Chicago, you will need to learn about the CTA
trains and buses, Metra trains, Pace buses, cabs, shuttle services,
limousines and the rest. Here are some links to Chicago's transportation
options.
Chicago Buses & "L" Trains/Subways
CTA Trains & Buses
The Chicago Transit Authority
includes buses, subway trains, surface trains and the famous elevated
trains (The "L").
Fares depend upon the method of purchase. You can pay CTA fares with Chicago Card,
Chicago Card Plus, Transit Cards, or 30-Day, 7-Day or Visitor Passes, or
cash. Purchase CTA fare media at more than 600 sales outlets throughout
the Chicagoland area and at 144 rail stations.
Call CTA at 1-888-YOUR-CTA for complete information. Other Info:
CHICAGO CTA TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
Visit Google Transit Chicago to get directions to any
Chicago location via the CTA. The system provides a map map with step-by
step instructions and estimated travel times.
Chicago Online Bus & 'L' Subway Directions
HopStop.com is a city transit guide,
providing door-to-door subway and bus
directions and maps for Chicago.
Suburban Buses
Pace Buses
Pace buses support the Chicago suburbs in the same fashion as the CTA
buses support the city.
Other City Transportation
A River Bus (April-Oct; $2; tel
312/337-1446) operates on the river during rush hour in summer, running
from the Michigan Avenue Bridge to Union Station in eight minutes.
Shoreline Water Taxis
-
Run from Willis Tower to Michigan Avenue Bridge and on to Navy Pier.
Also, from Navy Pier to the Shedd Aquarium/Museum Campus daily 10:00 am
to 6:00 Adult fares: $3 to $13, Senior fares $ 3 to 12, Child fares $ 2-
$7.
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Also, provide Morning and Evening Commuter Water Taxis daily between
Willis Tower and Michigan Avenue Bridge from mid-April through
mid-October. Hours are 7:00 to 9:30 am and from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. Fares
are $3 one way and $2 each way with round trip ticket. Ten ride taxi
pass available for $20.
Charter Buses
The Trolley Car &
Bus Company
226 Park St. Bensenville 60106
630-350-RIDE, email:
info@trolleycar.net
The finest fleet of classic trolley cars and mini coaches available.
Perfect for convention shuttles, sightseeing tours, dinner transfers.
The BusBank-Charter Bus Chicago
200 W. Adams Street, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll Free: (866) 428-7226
The BusBank specializes in bus rentals, bus charters, and tour bus rentals
in Chicago, Illinois, the City of Big Shoulders. Whether you are going to
Navy Pier, or a convention at McCormick Place, group travel on Chicago’s
crowded transit system and construction riddled expressways can cause
headaches.
First Student Bus Charter Chicago
866.514.TRIP (8747)
Mon-Fri 8:00am to 5:00pm
Serving The Greater Chicago Area - First Student Charter provides
economical choices for you with a variety of school bus charter rental
options. First Student’s Chicago Charter Center offers Chicago charter bus
services for groups of 10 to 10,000 for either short trips or long
distance travel. First Student Charter Buses are ready to take you and
your group to sporting events, amusement parks, festivals, church, family
or corporate functions.
Trains
Metra Rail Trains
The Metropolitan
Railroad operates 12 surface train lines serving the six-county area which
hub into downtown Chicago from the outlying Chicago suburbs. Call Metra Passenger Services at 312-322-6777.
RTA Regional Transit Authority
The RTA's primary responsibility is the financial and budget oversight of
CTA, Metra and Pace. The RTA also has responsibility for regional transit
planning issues.
Amtrak
Amtrak is a national rail train service serving
Chicago and most of the continental United States. Trains departing
primarily from the two major Chicago train stations, Union Station and
Northwestern Station.
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