CTA (city trains & buses, the EL), Chicago

  View of EL from Wendella Boat Tour
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  • View of EL from Wendella Boat Tour
      View of EL from Wendella Boat Tour
    by LoriPori
  • subway
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  • tracks
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110 Reviews of CTA (city trains & buses, the EL)

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THE "EL" CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY - CTA
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LoriPori 2773 reviews
CTA - Chicago Transit Authority
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Getting around the city of Chicago is easy, especially when accompanied by locals who actually know where they are going - thanks David and Kristi.
Almost every bus or EL train will take you downtown for $2.00.
P.S.Be prepared to get off quick as the train doesn't stop long. (I almost got stuck on the train as I was too busy yakking with Martin).

Update: June 17, 18 and 19, 2011
While attending the VT Meet in Chicago, we had the opportunity to take the EL, to get us from the Cultural Center to Old Town. Our Chicago Greeter, Jeff, led the way. Sharon prepaid our tickets at a cost of $2.25 US each.

Chicago's EL is the rapid transit system that services the city and some surrounding suburbs. It is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
The oldest sections of the EL started operating in 1892, making it the second oldest Rapid Transit System in the U.S., after New York City.
Although the EL got its nickname because large parts of the system are elevated, portions of the network are underground and ground level.

Updated Jun 24, 2011

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Related to:
 Family Travel

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Bus and Train Schedules
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sunshine9689 333 reviews

I do not about you, but I quite often have to look for a bus/train route.. So, I was glad when I found this website where you can quickly find all the stops where every CTA bus/train stops and time when it does so.

Here is a website where you can find any CTA bus route map and timetable.

Here is CTA train schedule and map.

And here are 6 systems maps (Northwest, North, Dowtown, West, Southwest, Far South).

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Related to:
 Road Trip

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Downtown sightseeing using public transport
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ibnebattuta 2 reviews

You can take a tour of Chicago sights using public transport, which is very affordable and fun. The best way to do it is using CTA buses, but you can also use the 'L' especially if you are staying away from the downtown. Staying close to the 'L' line, but not in downtown area can be cheaper. You can take the 'L' into downtown and then visit the sights using buses. If you buy one of the CTA passes, you can use public transport all day for one low price. There is a website that shows all the main sightseeing sites and the bus routes that can take you there. Its address is http://www.greeenurbantours.com/ChiDtown.html

Updated Feb 25, 2011

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.greenurbantours.com/ChiDtown.html

Related to:
 Museum Visits
 Budget Travel
 Architecture

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The Famous "L" Subway
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machomikemd 3773 reviews
along the loop
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this is the Subway Part of the Chicago Transport Authority (which manages trains and buses and the L) otherwise known as the "L" It is the second longest rapid transit system in total mileage in the United States, after the New York City Subway, and is the third busiest rail mass transit system in the United States, after New York City and Washington, DC's Metrorail. The 'L' consists of eight rapid transit lines laid out in a spoke-hub distribution paradigm focusing transit toward a central loop. Although the 'L' gained its nickname because large parts of the system are elevated, only 56.4 miles (90.8 km) of the 106.1-mile (170.8 km) system are elevated. Of the remainder, 35 miles (56.3 km) of it are at grade, and 11.4 miles (18.3 km) are underground. Rapid transit trains run every five to fifteen minutes during the day and every fifteen to sixty minutes all night. Lines are 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.

Fares depend upon the method of purchase. 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. A single ride costs $ 2.25 so better to do 1 day pass at $ 5.75 or 3 day pass at $ 14 or 7 day pass at $ 23 and it includes rides to the buses and trolleys too.

Updated Nov 5, 2010

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Road Trip
 Trains

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The CTA Public Buses
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machomikemd 3773 reviews
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the public buses offer very cheap and convenient travelling to the different tourist destinations around chicago and the best deal is that you wont need to find parking and pay for parking but still the best mode of transport here is having friends to drive for you hehehe. Pick up a CTA System Map, available at most subway stations and visitor centers or from the CTA office 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 and the bus stops are color coded and bus fare for Single Ride: $2.25 per ride for either bus or train (bus is $2 if using transit card) and it is better to get a day pass if you plan to use the bus for a few days and the prices are: 1-day: $5.75, 3-day: $14, 7-day: $23 (incuded also are the subways and train fares!). you can buy them at many locations around the city.

Updated Nov 5, 2010

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Road Trip

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Take A Ride on The-Avoid Grief
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BruceDunning 3103 reviews
Entry to the
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The easiest way to get around is on the "L" or commuter trains. Costs are continually going up, and has more than doubled in last 15-20 years. Naperville commuter to downtown is now $10 round trip, and a bus locally about $1.50-2.00 a trip.

Updated Apr 20, 2010

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Road Trip

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Subway tourist daily pass
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Tom_In_Madison 312 reviews

You can purchase a daily, 2 day, 4 day or 7 day subway pass. It's much cheaper than buying single rides as long as you use it 3/day. 1 ride is $2.25. A $5.50 daily pass pays for itself after 3 rides. 2-day is $10???

Now the hard part, finding somewhere to buy it. I was told Jewel sells it, but when you visit a city do you really want to run around (probably using a subway ride at $2.25 a pop) finding a grocery store? No, of course not, what are they thinking? There are a few very select places that sell it. Cumberland train station on the blue line sells it, though the machine was broke when I wanted to purchase it. You can pick one up supposedly at O'Hare airport. I know you can buy one at the huge hostel downtown on Congress Parkway--though it didn't accept cash or my atm, only my credit card when I was there. It's a separate machine than the ones you use to buy the single cards from.

Updated Apr 17, 2010

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

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The only way to go !!!!!
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jlanza29 487 reviews
Better than driving !!!!

Chicago is a great city to ride the metro, it's easy and it's near just about every major attraction... the ride are $2.50 per ride or you can buy a pass that you can add whatever amount you wish too....From the airport it takes 40 minutes to reach downtown.

Written Feb 9, 2010

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.cta.com/

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Save time and money getting around the city.
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Herkbert 449 reviews
El station at Midway Airport
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The CTA is a great way to get to the city from Midway Airport and around the city. The system includes both the 'EL' and city buses. They run frequently and get you to where you want to go. The trains were clean and even smelled good. :-)

To save some money, you can buy 1, 3 and 7 day passes. Our 3 day passes cost $14 each and allowed us to ride the subway and buses without having to pay anything additional. Over the three days we easily got our money's worth. A regular full fare single ride is $2.25.

Written Sep 22, 2009

Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Related to:
 Family Travel

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O'Hare to Clinton - Blue Line
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grayfo 1042 reviews

Fares for single adult users are $1.70, the plastic strip allows you to add as much fare as you like, useful if you do not have the correct change.

Please note: The shops in the airport are not allowed to give out change, so try to avoid having to purchase something unnecessary.

The trains are referred to as the ‘El’ or ‘L’ – the name is derived from the elevated rail that circles around the main Downtown business and shopping district. The seven train lines are identified and named by a different colour.

February 2005

Updated Aug 24, 2009

Phone: 312-836-7000

Website: www.transitchicago.com

Related to:
 Trains
 Budget Travel

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