How to Get Around in Chicago – Travel Options within Chicago, IL

Like most big cities in America, it’s fairly easy to get around in Chicago. Travelers have several types of dependable and convenient transportation systems at their disposal. These modes of travel range from the famous "L" system of train lines to Chicago car services to water taxis. And of course there’s always walking and bicycling.

Chicago is served by two airports, O’Hare International and Midway International. O’Hare is located on the northwest edge of the city while Midway is situated southwest of the downtown area. The city’s public transportation is overseen by the Chicago Transit Authority or CTA. They have an in-depth and thorough Web site, transitchicago.com, which provides travelers with schedules and other useful information. You can also call them at 1-888-Your CTA.

Below, Chicago Smarts looks at all the various ways you can get from point A to point B in the Windy City. Make sure you read each section because you never know which mode of transportation you might need during your trip to Chicago. Chances are good that you’ll use them all.

The ‘L’
You’ll sometimes see this rapid transit system referred to as the "El" but its official name is the ‘L.’ It’s a reference to the phrase "elevated train" although the ‘L’ also runs at street level and below ground. Operated by the CTA, the ‘L’ is the second longest rapid transit system in the United States after the New York City Subway. There are eight color coded rail lines that connect Chicago’s downtown area to residential neighborhoods and both airports. It costs about $2 to ride the ‘L’ and you can purchase tickets at vending machines located at each station.

Trains and Buses
Also operated by the CTA, Chicago’s trains and buses provide residents and visitors with dependable and affordable transportation. Trains are a great way to get from the city to the suburbs and that includes neighborhoods in Indiana and Wisconsin. Trains arrive and depart from one of four stations: Union, LaSalle, Millennium, and the Ogilvie Transportation Center. As for buses, they run regularly throughout the downtown area. Bus stops are well marked with blue and white signs.

Taxi
Taxis are relatively easy to find in downtown Chicago although they’re few and far between in neighborhoods and some outlying areas. All Chicago taxis are licensed and should have a numbered metal medallion fixed to their hood. At the time of writing this article taxis charge $2.25 for a fare and then $.20 for each 1/9 of a mile. An extra passenger will cost you $1 and then it’s $.50 for every additional member of your party. Depending on gas prices, you may be charged an extra $1 for fuel. To take a taxi from one of Chicago’s airports to downtown, or vice versa, expect to pay around $30 from Midway and $40 from O’Hare.

Water Taxi
Using a water taxi is one of the most enjoyable, as well as one of the most scenic ways to get around in Chicago. The city’s two main water taxi services are Chicago and Shoreline. These two seasonal ferry services operate on the Chicago River and they take passengers to places like the Magnificent Mile, River North Arts District, Sears Tower, the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, and Chinatown. A typical ride will cost you anywhere from $2 to $13. For a full schedule, visit either water taxi services’ Web site.

Car Service
Using a Chicago car service, like a limousine or town car, is a great way to get around the city while leaving the hassle of driving to someone else. If you want to rent a car there are a couple of things you should know about driving in Chicago. One, it is best not to drive during Chicago’s rush hour periods—7am to 9:30am and 4pm to 7pm. Also, obey all parking signs. If you park illegally in Chicago you’ll get a ticket, or worse, you’ll get your vehicle towed. It’s also recommended that you carry around a roll of quarters to feed parking meters. As with most big cities, Chicago drivers have a reputation for being aggressive. So if you plan on driving in Chicago keep your head on a swivel and be prepared for anything.

Walking
Walking is a great option if you’re visiting the "The Loop" or Michigan Avenue. When the weather turns walkers usually take to the Pedway. That’s a series of tunnels, concourses, and skywalks that connect dozens of stores, hotels, and train stations in Chicago’s central business district. Places of interests along the Pedway include Millennium Park, Chase Tower, Aqua, the Richard J. Daley Bicentennial Plaza, and Macy’s.

Bicycles
Chicago is one of the best bicycling cities in America. Chi-Town contains over 100 miles of bike lanes, 50 miles of bike paths, and more than 10,000 bike racks. The CTA permits bicycles to be taken on their trains and all of their buses are fitted with bike racks. You can also rent bicycles at various places throughout the cities including businesses at Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and North Avenue Beach.



About the Author
Brynn Alexander contributes to the CitySmarts series of websites, including ChicagoSmarts and the ChicagoSmarts Blog, a site dedicated to helping people in Chicago.