Chicago Trains & Buses
Navigating around Chicago is simple and quick, thanks to the many buses
Getting Around the City via Public Transportation
Did you know that navigating around Chicago is simple and quick, thanks to the many buses and the "L," a system of elevated trains operated 24 hours a day by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA; tel 312.836.7000)? Grab a CTA System Map, typically available at most subway stations and visitor centers or from the CTA office, located 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 all specifically 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 Taxis
Enjoying Chicago from the Ed 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 will vary and are dependent upon the method of purchase you choose. 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
View of the lights of State Street in Chicago at night
- 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
The Shoreline Water Taxi runs from Willis Tower to Michigan Avenue Bridge and on to Navy Pier. This piece of transit also allows patrons to ride from Navy Pier to the Shedd Aquarium/Museum Campus daily from the hours of 10:00 am, to 6:00. Adult fares are typically $3.00 to $13.00, Senior fares $ 3.00 to $12.00, and Child fares $ 2.00- $7.00.
There are even morning and evening Commuter Water Taxis daily that shuttle between Willis Tower and Michigan Avenue Bridge from mid-April through mid-October.Their hours are 7:00am to 9:30 am and from 4:00pm to 6:30 pm. Fares are $3.00 one way and $2.00 each way when you purchase a round trip ticket. A ten ride taxi pass is also available for $20.00.
Charter Buses
The Trolley Car & Bus Company
226 Park St. Bensenville 60106
630-350-RIDE, email: info@trolleycar.net
The Trolley Car & Bus Company is 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
The Chicago Metra Train
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.
See the Amtrak/Metra to the Heart of Chicago brochure.
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.
See the Chicago AmTrak Stations.
See the Amtrak/Metra to the Heart of Chicago brochure.
