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 | Chicago CTA (city trains & buses, the "EL") Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 99 |  |
 | |  |  | CTA (city trains & buses, the "EL"): "The L" | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
While The L isn't necessarily the most efficient way to get around Chicago, but it is a symbol of the city and pretty easy to use. It's made up of seven branches, differentiated by color. The orange line goes to Midway, blue line to O'Hare, and all of the lines, except the yellow go downtown aka "The Loop." To buy CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Passes that will get you on CTA buses and the L, you can go to a Currency Exchange, or buy them at the machines at some of the larger stations. Just don't believe the stupid lady at the Montrose Currency Exchange that tells you you can't use your debit card, because you can. Warning: If you have an early flight on Sunday and you're taking the L to the airport, make sure to check the schedule, since routes are pretty limited on Sunday mornings. The picture is of a house with the L tracks running through the yard. I like it because having train tracks going through your yard could really bring you down, but these people made lemonade out of lemons and hung tire swings, windchimes and plants from the tracks, integrating the cold metal into their yard. Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroPhone: 1.888.YOURCTAWebsite: www.transitchicago.com
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| | | | CTA (city trains & buses, the "EL"): Subway (El) from O' Hare | Tip Rating: | | | | |
If you are traveling from O' Hare to downtown the cheapest and often quickest way is to take the Blue Line el also known as the CTA. It's $2.00 per person, $1.75 if you have a Chicago Card), no extra charge for luggage. Or if you plan on using the el and buses a lot in Chicago you can get a visitor pass (1, 2, 3 or 5 days) and the ride from O'Hare is included. The trip takes about 45 minutes to downtown Chicago. The CTA station is located at the lowest level of the Main Parking Garage next to elevator center 4. You should be able to follow the signs that look like a subway car. But don't get on the remote parking train by mistake. Clark/Lake is the most central stop, you can walk to some loop hotels or take a cab from there to the Mag Mile or River North, the cab fare should be less than $5 to most hotels. Or you can transfer to the red line at Washington and take it to Grand or Chicago which will get you closer to the Mag Mile hotels. If you are staying in the south loop you can get off at Washington or Monroe on the blue line without transferring. The blue line el is a regular commuter train, like the tube in London, so there isn't extra room for luggage like on some airport trains. But O'Hare is the first stop on the line and patrons are used to seeing folks with luggage so as long as you can manage your luggage on and off the train, you should be fine. Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroWebsite: http://www.transitchicago.com/
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| | | | CTA (city trains & buses, the "EL"): Chicago's Infamous El | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
. The Good One of the best things is their trip planner function which I found very easy to use & comparable to Les Pages Jaunes Itinéraire function. However, I'd recommend adding at least 15 minutes to any estimates. Of course, I did visit Chicago during the weekend they were having a rate hike changeover (Sunday) and they were making changes to their schedules (I understand they may be dropping some El lines or stops) so that may have had something to do with it. Using the system for 3 days, though, didn't really give me a chance to get used to the system. And of course, if I'd been closer to downtown any glitches would've been lessened. The Bad It would've been okay if I could've depended on the Chicago Transit System but I couldn't. I found it to be grossly unreliable & I was late for all 3 dinners/brunches with my friends. Saturday on my way to meet shrimp56, the red line was held up in transit (we sat for 20 minutes), an announcement came over the intercom that the train would be made an express line through the next 6 stops stopping just past where I wanted to go. I opted to stay, got off at the next stop, got lost, figured out my way, & backtracked to the Art Institute stop making me 30 mins late meeting shrimpie. She was gracious stating that'd given her a bit o' time to shop (she's a sweetie). Sunday on my way to meet Callavetta & Dabs, thought THIS time I'd given myself plenty of extra time but still managed to be 10-15 minutes late. The line had been shut down somewhere north of us. We waited in frustration as we saw the Red Line going north 3 times before we finally got ours. Of course it was full. Thank God for cell phones so you can call your friends. The Ugly I have to say I'm pretty spoiled as far as subways go. My only previous experience is with London's Tube & Paris' Métro which are both relatively clean compared to Chicago's El system. Photos: September 2007 Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroPhone: 1-888-YOUR-CTAWebsite: http://www.yourcta.com/
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| | | | CTA (city trains & buses, the "EL"): The CTA Rail | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The CTA rail system in chicago is wonderful. Though many complain about the dirtiness, I honestly believe that it is over examined. True many of the support beams are rusted along with dirt on the walls, but this only adds to the feel. The trains stop about every 5 to 10 minutes and are much quicker than driving or taking a taxi. The costs for ticks are $1.75 per ride and $0.25 for a transfer, which can be used twice within two hours of purchase. Unlimited passes are also availible, but have to be purchased at the correct location. The Union Station sells some, along with a gift shop in the Sears Tower. These are sometimes sold out and suggest you purchase them from either RTA head quarters, or CTA head quarters located in merchandise mart. 1 Day Unlimited Pass: $5.00 2 Day Unlimited Pass: $9.00 3 Day Unlimited Pass: $12.00 5 Day Unlimited Pass: $18.00 7 Day Unlimited Pass: $20.00 30 Day Unlimited Pass: $75.00 These are the prices as of 2004. Some passes are offered at a reduced fare to seniors, students, and people with disabilities. Chicago has seven lines, represented by color. The train from O'hare Airport to Downtown, can be caught by following the signs which say "trains to city." The station can be found by going to baggage claim and following the signs. Midway also has the same signs. Crime is not much of a threat, if you are careful were you stand and stay away from the down and out, also don't offend anyone, that is the cause of most crimes. Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroPhone: 1-888-YOUR-CTAWebsite: http://www.transitchicago.com/ or http://www.rtachicago.com/
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Chicago
on March 6, 2004
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