New To Chicago? Here’s A Guide To The Chicago Transit Authority

We live in a world where everything is costly, and many of us have little to no money. Jobs often don’t pay enough, or we have to prioritize certain bills over others. Regardless of the situation, when you need to get from point A to point B, you find a way. I’m a girl who attends school and lives in Chicago. I don’t have a license or a car. Thankfully, Chicago offers multiple public transportation options, including the Metra, Amtrak, and the CTA buses and trains. Today I’ll teach you how to use the CTA!

1. Ventra

Both trains and buses accept Ventra cards, which you can buy at most train stations, online, or upload to your Apple, Samsung, or Google wallet. If you’ll be using public transit all day, consider buying a $5.00 day pass valid for 24 hours from first use. For fewer rides, a single adult fare costs $2.50. Cash is also accepted on buses, but be sure to have the exact amount since drivers don’t give change. Download the Ventra app to receive alerts about outages, such as elevator issues or stop relocations.

2. The Buses

Buses travel north, south, east, and west across the city, sometimes reaching into the suburbs. A key Chicago tip: the lake is always east. Bus stops are marked with the direction the bus is heading, so use this information to help orient yourself.

When you see your bus approaching, extend your arm to signal you’re waiting, even if it’s not crowded. Stay back from the curb. Once on board, tap your Ventra card or phone on the machine near the driver. Green indicates success; red means it didn’t go through. After paying, find a seat. The bus offers priority seating for expecting mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities. You can sit there, but be prepared to give up your seat if needed.

To signal your stop, pull the cord along the windows or press the small red button near the back door. Do this as the bus is leaving the stop before yours. You can exit through the front or back doors; just watch your step.

3. The Trains (The L)

Trains are faster than buses because they travel above street traffic. You can easily navigate Chicago using Google Maps or Apple Maps. There are eight color-coded train lines:

• Red: 95th/Dan Ryan to Howard
• Blue: Forest Park to O’Hare Airport
• Brown: Kimball, through downtown, loops back to Kimball
• Green: Two branches — one ends at Cottage Grove, the other at Ashland/63rd
• Orange: Midway to Adams/Wabash
• Pink: 54th/Cermak (Cicero) to the Loop
• Purple: Limited hours; runs downtown express Monday–Friday only during morning and evening rush. The Linden–Howard stretch runs daily with varying times.
• Yellow (Skokie Swift): Only three stops, connects Skokie to Howard. Runs limited hours.

Unlike buses, trains only stop at designated stations, and you cannot pay with cash; you have to use a Ventra card or mobile pay. In the Loop, station signs show which train lines run on which side of the platform.

Tap your card at the turnstile, wait for the green light, and go up to the platform. An overhead display shows arrival times. Once your train arrives, wait for the doors to open before boarding. Each car has a button to reach the conductor in emergencies, and doors connecting the cars to move between them. Sit or stand; priority seating is near the entry doors.

The train announcer will call out each stop. If the train is running express, the conductor will announce it, and a light inside the car will flash. Ride to your stop, exit through the station, and you’re on your way.

I hope this guide has helped you become a pro at using public transportation. Whether you’re using Google or Apple Maps, you can get anywhere in the city!

Featured image via Moses Polonio on Pexels