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- Travel info
Hello & welcome!
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation's second largest public transportation system, which provides bus and metro train service through the City of Chicago and in 35 neighboring communities.
In addition to CTA, regional transit services are also provided by our sister agencies, Metra and Pace--both of which connect with CTA bus and rail in numerous locations. You can read more about regional and national services that connect with CTA in our page about Connecting Services.
Hours of service
Most of our train routes operate from the early morning until the late evening, as do key bus routes that cross the city. Hours of service vary, so be sure to check schedules or use a Trip Planner before you go.
Red Line and Blue Line train service operates at all times (24 hours per day, every day) as well as several bus routes.
See our Fares page for detailed information on fares. Note that cash fare on buses, disposable ticket fares or paying with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay apps are different than fares loaded on a Ventra Card.
Basic information
How to ride
- How to ride the train
Our train system (known here as The ‘L’) provides rides for hundreds of thousands of people every day, from over 140 stations located throughout the city and neighboring communities and towns.
- Enter the station and pay fare. When you enter a train station, you can pay your fare at the turnstile or gate. Every station has Ventra Vending Machines where you can buy reusable Ventra Cards (which can be loaded with fare value for up to seven riders and up to three passes for one rider) or disposable tickets if you need to buy fare. Note: You can also buy new Ventra Cards or load fare to them, over-the-counter, at more than 1,000 Ventra retail locations.
- Make your way to the boarding area. Stations have maps and signs to help you find your way. Trains are distinguished by their route name (color) and destination. Follow signs to the boarding area for your train. Once at the platform, wait near the signs that indicate where trains stop.
- Ride. When the train arrives, note the train's route and destination. A Blue (blue) Line train to O'Hare will say "O'Hare" on a blue background on the front and side of the train.
How to ride a bus
- Stand near a CTA Bus Stop (bus stop) sign. Bus stops are usually located one or two blocks apart. Stand near the sign and where the person driving the bus will be able to see you. Buses stop only at marked bus stops (except in Evanston, where you can wait at safe intersections along a route for a bus).
- Check the destination sign as the bus approaches. Some stops are served by multiple routes and not all buses go to the end of the line: Read the sign to see the bus route number, name, and where it's headed. When the bus opens its doors, it will also audibly announce the bus's route and destination.
- Ride. Have your fare (exact change, a Ventra Card or Ventra Ticket) ready when the bus approaches and pay your fare as you enter. Buses announce stops both audibly and visually inside the bus.
Quick links
Here are some more detailed pages of information to help you use our system.
- Travel Information
- How to plan a trip
- Regional Transit Connections
- How to buy fares / tickets
- How to pay fare
- How to ride the bus
- Map of Downtown Chicago
- Map of the entire CTA bus and train system
- Map of our train system (printable)
- Map of the CTA system and suburban services
- Map of service that runs all night (24-hours)
- Taking the train to or from the airports
- View brochures
More information
See a list of other pages on this website
Get directions
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Chicago transit guide
Before you hop on that bus or train, plan your trip on Chicago transit with information about El stations, Ventra and more
If you're looking for a way to get around the city, you can always take a cab or drive, but the cheapest way to and from the Loop and everywhere it leads is to hop on a bus or a train. Plan your trip in by keeping up to date with CTA projects, Ventra hiccups and everything else you need to know about Chicago transit.
The latest Chicago transit news
Things to do
High-speed rail project from o'hare to chicago in the works.
A high-speed rail project would connect O'Hare to downtown Chicago, Rockford, Champaign and beyond.
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One of the city's most depressing El stations closed for good on Monday.
CTA to host concert series outside of El stops in June
Your evening commute during the second and third weeks of June is going to be way more interesting.
Red light cameras are a pain, but speed cameras are much worse
On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emananuel announced that the city will remove 50 red light cameras at 25 intersections and that those cameras would no longer be issuing...
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There are loads of terrible intersections throughout the city. Here are some of the worst that we're aware of.
A complete guide to the 606
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Historic photos of Chicago trains and buses
Take a ride back in time on the green and cream CTA buses, trains, trolleys (and horses!) from Chicago's public transportation past
2014's best People of the CTA photos
One of the best (and worst) things about Chicago transit is that all kinds of people from different walks of life—sometimes different planets—are huddled...
The 19 people you'll see on the CTA
All kinds of bizarre people ride our buses and trains, but these are the most common characters you'll see—and attempt to avoid
The 6 best and 6 worst El stations
Some CTA stops make us happy to ride the train, other make us angrier than a tourist trying to reload a Ventra card
Everything you need to know about Ventra
Ventra FAQs
Cutting through the information fog on the CTA’s fare system
The best #AskVentra questions on Twitter
Chicago's most (un)reliable PR fiasco suffers yet another public embarrassment
The best reactions to the CTA's fare system
After the morning commute, the "new way to pay on the CTA" has garnered mixed reactions
We answer your Chicago transit questions
What does it take to get a seat on the train?
Pregnant, gimpy, overburdened or all three: What's a girl gotta do to earn a seat on the jam-packed El?
Can CTA employees use signs and vests to park in tow zones?
The transit agency says it’s looking into the use of emergency signs and CTA vests to dodge fines
Are there public bathrooms at the Chicago Blue Line station?
In the mezzanine level of the Chicago Blue Line stop, there are two bathroom doors. Are these open to the public?
What's up with the See Something, Say Something poster campaign?
Does the CTA’s poster campaign do nothing?
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Live Well • Work Well Promoting a healthier lifestyle through total wellness.
The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.
All aboard!
Hello and welcome.
The CTA provides public transit service throughout Chicago and many neighboring communities. We offer both subway/elevated rapid transit train service (the ‘L’ system) and bus service.
We connect with other transit providers like Metra, Pace, Amtrak, and the South Shore Line. We also serve both of Chicago's major airports .
Hours of service
Most of our train routes and many bus routes operate from the early morning until the late evening.
Red Line and Blue Line train service operates 24 hours per day, every day. Several bus routes, called Night Owl routes, also run 24 hours per day.
Hours of service vary, so be sure to check schedules or use a trip planner before you go.
CTA is the best value for getting around Chicago, and each fare includes two free transfers within two hours.
If you ride a lot, unlimited-ride passes provide an even better value.
Free or reduced fare programs are available for children, seniors, Medicare recipients, people with disabilities and other qualifying groups.
Fare prices
Plan your trip
On this website you can download maps of the whole system , or maps and timetables for individual routes .
Google Maps, Apple Maps and many other map apps have transit directions built in. Find the ‘transit’ option next to options for driving, walking and biking. Or download the Ventra app to plan trips, buy passes and manage your fare account.
Take your trip
Ride the bus.
Details and tips for riding the bus
Ride the train
Details and tips for riding the train
If there are detours or delays, we will post information about it on the alerts section of this website. Alerts also show up in map apps—usually there is a or button to view them. You can subscribe to email or text message alerts about your favorite routes.
Traveling with…
Children are eligible for either a free or a reduced fare, depending on their age.
You can bring your stroller, but it’s best to fold it up when you board. Strollers cannot go on escalators—please use an elevator or ramp.
How to ride with children
Every bus has a bike rack on the front of it. Personal bikes are allowed, but Divvy and bikeshare bikes are not. The bike racks are sturdy, but they might not accommodate e-bikes with large batteries or other bikes that are very heavy.
Personal bikes are allowed on trains except during weekday rush hours.
How to bring your bike
Small pets are allowed as long as they remain in a closed protective carrier that can fit under a seat. Otherwise, only service animals are allowed.
Polices & practices
IMAGES
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