Created in 1945, the CTA provides bus and rapid transit rail service to the city of Chicago and 40 neighboring suburbs. It is the nation’s second largest transportation system, providing more than 1.5 million rides each day.

Complete information, including how to get from point A to point B can be found at one of the two following sources:  http://maps.google.com/help/maps/tran... and http://www.transitchicago.com/.  You can also call the Regional Transportation Authority's information hotline at:  836-7000.  Supply your starting point, your destination, and the time you wish to travel and CTA/RTA will provide you with route/bus numbers and other pertinent information. 

As of 1/1/2006, cash fares on buses or trains are $2 per ride for adults, $1 for kids 7-11. Children under 7 ride free with a fare-paying customer. Slightly lower fares, and more importanly, $.25 transfers, are available ONLY with transit cards (available at train stations and certain other locations); see the CTA web site (above) for details.

A good value for visitors - CTA Visitor Passes offer you the most economical travel value. With unlimited rides, the more you ride, the more you save!

  • 1-Day Visitor Pass for $5
  • 2-Day Visitor Pass for $9
  • 3-Day Visitor Pass for $12
  • 5-Day Visitor Pass for $18


For multiple rides on the CTA, Visitor Passes are a great option for kids, too. The regular cash fare for kids ages 7-11 is 85 cents ($1 with a transfer). Children under age seven ride free.

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.

You can order passes ahead of time. There’s no charge for shipping.

If you are arriving in Chicago at O’Hare - the CTA blue line train will take you downtown. O’Hare is at the beginning of the blue line. Getting a seat isn’t a problem. Travel time form O’Hare downtown is about 45 minutes.

If you’re arriving at Midway, the CTA orange line train will take you downtown.  Travel time is about 30 minutes.

Note: CTA trains are not configured specifically to store luggage. Also, not all CTA stations have elevators. If you have a lot of luggage, a taxi (about $45 to downtown) or airport van ( www.airportexpress.com) might be a better bet for you.

Sometimes, you will hear people refer to CTA trains as the "El". That’s because some portions of CTA trains run above ground or are "elevated."

If you’re staying in the city, there’s no real reason to have a car. Parking downtown is very expensive. If you are driving downtown, the underground parking garage at Millenium Park is less expensive than most lots.

Metra provides convenient train service to/from downtown and many suburbs. They offer a $5 pass for unlimited rides on the weekends (with up to 3 kids per adult free).  A discounted 10-ride pass may be shared between people.  Visit - http://www.metrarail.com/ for details.  Please note that the conductor will charge $2 extra for one-way cash fares purchased on the train, if the origin station was open for ticket sales at the time of your departure.  Be sure to purchase your ticket at your origin station if possible.  If visiting Chicago from the suburbs, purchase your return trip ticket in Chicago as you arrive downtown.  Otherwise you may experience long lines to purchase tickets, especially during the evening rush.

For suburban bus service - Pace provides service. Visit - http://www.pacebus.com/ for details.

Free Trolleys run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The Trolleys service popular locations from Lincoln Park, Navy Pier, and the museums.  Check with the Chicago Department of Transportation for yearly changes in routes and times. http://egov.cityofchicago.org or call 877-244-2246.  Some routes connect to the CTA lines.