The L
The CTA's train system is called the L, short for elevated. It has eight lines named by colour: Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow. Several of them circle downtown on elevated tracks, which is where the Loop gets its name.
- Red and Blue Lines run 24 hours a day.
- Blue Line connects downtown with O'Hare International Airport.
- Orange Line connects downtown with Midway International Airport.
- Red Line runs north to south through the city, past Wrigley Field and Chinatown.
Buses
CTA buses fill in the gaps between train lines and cover most major streets. The same payment works on buses and trains.
Paying
CTA uses the Ventra system. You can pay with a Ventra card, the Ventra app, or a contactless bank card or phone at the turnstile or bus reader.
Divvy bikes and scooters
Divvy is Chicago's bike share system, with docking stations across the city and both classic and electric bikes. It is a good fit for short trips and the lakefront.
Metra and the water taxi
Metra commuter trains link downtown with the suburbs. In warmer months, water taxis run along the Chicago River.
Hours, prices, schedules, and free days change. Check the official site for each place before you go.
Plan it in ChiVibe
ChiVibe is a free iPhone and iPad app for Chicago. Discover live events across the city and suburbs, explore parks and culture, build a smart walking tour, check transit and Divvy, and ask ChiVibe for ideas using private on-device intelligence.