If you’re new to Chicago and on your way to buy popcorn tins–a mixture of gourmet cheese popcorn and gourmet caramel popcorn–then you might run into Chicago public transportation.
Don’t fret! We can help.
There are two main types of public transit in Chicago: The “L” (the elevated train) and buses.
The “L”
The public train system in Chicago proper is known as the “L.” The most important thing to know about the “L” is that all the lines converge downtown in the Loop, called so because all the lines except the red and blue lines (which make straight shots) loop around downtown. All of Chicago is broken up into different neighborhoods and each leg of the “L” snakes out from the Loop to these different neighborhoods. Here is a map of the different lines.
The bus system in Chicago is extensive and might seem frightening at first, but the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has made it simplistic. Buses run almost everywhere the “L” does not. Transfers from the “L” to buses cost less (see below), and they run generous hours. You can find all bus route and time information here.
Of course, the buses don’t always make it to the stops on time, and CTA knows this, so it instituted a bus tracker which tracks buses throughout the city, and makes sure you aren’t waiting at a stop for twenty minutes. You can even access the CTA bus tracker on your smart phone, making life even easier.
The flat rate for a bus or an “L” ride, regardless of distance or location, is $2.25.
A “transfer” from an “L” to a bus costs 25 cents and a second transfer is free.
You can pay on buses with either the exact amount in cash or a transit card. You must pay with a transit card or a Chicago Card (reloadable transit card) at “L” stations.
In addition, you can purchase cards that offer unlimited rides for a certain length of time.
1-Day Pass: $5.75
3-Day Pass: $14
7-Day Pass: $23
30-Day Pass: $86
Metra
The final type of public transportation is the Metra. This is a train that runs from many of the suburbs into Chicago. Find more information on the Metra here.
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