Featured Transportation

Chicago | Transportation

Getting around the city without your own car is actually very easy. The city's public transportation system (the CTA) is an easily navigable thread of trains (the famous "L") and buses -- and you can get a CTA visitor pass for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days ranging from $5-$18

Don't waste money on a taxi or car service from O'hare or Midway airports -- the "L" goes to both. At O'hare, pick up the Blue Line on the lower level and take it right downtown. The Orange Line runs from Midway. Just follow the signs -- it's quite simple.

In the city, there are really only a few train lines you'll use. The Blue Line is great for getting out to Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square. The Brown Line takes you through the Loop and then up to Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village and Lincoln Square. The Red Line runs the length of the city near the lake -- so you can easily get all the way down to Hyde Park, hit a Sox game, head north to Wrigley Field or even connect with the Purple Line and go up into Evanston.

Chicago's bus system is easy to use -- and your CTA pass gives you access to all the buses and trains. You can pick up a number of buses on Michigan Avenue to take you down to Millennium Park and the Art Institute, Grant Park and the Museum Campus and elsewhere. Sure, it takes a bit longer than a car, but you can sit back and look out at the city as it goes by.

If you're in more of a hurry you can easily grab a cab. Your hotel's doorman can help flag one down or you can pop out to the street and put up your hand. An available cab will likely arrive quickly and you're on your way.

But if you're independent and feel like you need to rent a car, every major rental agency has offices in Chicago. Or if you need to get out of the city and don't want to rent a car, check out Metra -- our commuter train system that goes all over the suburbs, Indiana, Wisconsin and even into Michigan.

So don't worry about being stranded during your trip to Chicago -- you're only as far as a train, bus or taxi.

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