The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.
- Travel info
Hello & welcome!
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation's second largest public transportation system, which provides bus and metro train service through the City of Chicago and in 35 neighboring communities.
In addition to CTA, regional transit services are also provided by our sister agencies, Metra and Pace--both of which connect with CTA bus and rail in numerous locations. You can read more about regional and national services that connect with CTA in our page about Connecting Services.
Hours of service
Most of our train routes operate from the early morning until the late evening, as do key bus routes that cross the city. Hours of service vary, so be sure to check schedules or use a Trip Planner before you go.
Red Line and Blue Line train service operates at all times (24 hours per day, every day) as well as several bus routes.
See our Fares page for detailed information on fares. Note that cash fare on buses, disposable ticket fares or paying with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay apps are different than fares loaded on a Ventra Card.
Basic information
How to ride
- How to ride the train
Our train system (known here as The ‘L’) provides rides for hundreds of thousands of people every day, from over 140 stations located throughout the city and neighboring communities and towns.
- Enter the station and pay fare. When you enter a train station, you can pay your fare at the turnstile or gate. Every station has Ventra Vending Machines where you can buy reusable Ventra Cards (which can be loaded with fare value for up to seven riders and up to three passes for one rider) or disposable tickets if you need to buy fare. Note: You can also buy new Ventra Cards or load fare to them, over-the-counter, at more than 1,000 Ventra retail locations.
- Make your way to the boarding area. Stations have maps and signs to help you find your way. Trains are distinguished by their route name (color) and destination. Follow signs to the boarding area for your train. Once at the platform, wait near the signs that indicate where trains stop.
- Ride. When the train arrives, note the train's route and destination. A Blue (blue) Line train to O'Hare will say "O'Hare" on a blue background on the front and side of the train.
How to ride a bus
- Stand near a CTA Bus Stop (bus stop) sign. Bus stops are usually located one or two blocks apart. Stand near the sign and where the person driving the bus will be able to see you. Buses stop only at marked bus stops (except in Evanston, where you can wait at safe intersections along a route for a bus).
- Check the destination sign as the bus approaches. Some stops are served by multiple routes and not all buses go to the end of the line: Read the sign to see the bus route number, name, and where it's headed. When the bus opens its doors, it will also audibly announce the bus's route and destination.
- Ride. Have your fare (exact change, a Ventra Card or Ventra Ticket) ready when the bus approaches and pay your fare as you enter. Buses announce stops both audibly and visually inside the bus.
Quick links
Here are some more detailed pages of information to help you use our system.
- Travel Information
- How to plan a trip
- Regional Transit Connections
- How to buy fares / tickets
- How to pay fare
- How to ride the bus
- Map of Downtown Chicago
- Map of the entire CTA bus and train system
- Map of our train system (printable)
- Map of the CTA system and suburban services
- Map of service that runs all night (24-hours)
- Taking the train to or from the airports
- View brochures
More information
See a list of other pages on this website
Get directions
Chicago Transit: CTA Tracker 4+
Metra, bus and 'l' times, adamton apps ltd.
- 4.9 • 23 Ratings
- Offers In-App Purchases
Screenshots
Description.
Introducing the ultimate travel app for Chicago! Say goodbye to waiting for buses or trains with our real-time tracking feature that shows you exactly where your ride is and when it will arrive. • Our app offers up to five different route options to your destination, so you can choose the fastest or most convenient route for your trip • Never miss your stop again with our stop notifications, which alert you when your stop is approaching. • With live crowding information, you'll know whether to skip the next bus or train or wait for the next one. • Stay ahead of delays and diversions with our real-time updates, and enjoy the convenience of full seven-day schedules with live and offline map routes. • Need to find your way home? Our one-tap "get me home" feature and last bus or train information will make sure you never get lost again. Simplify your daily commute and download our app today! -- Privacy Policy: https://travelwhiz.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://travelwhiz.app/terms
Version 2024.2.15
This release includes a number of bug fixes and improvements to the app, including: A new status indicator when activating a Live Activity. The app now correctly shows you multiple addresses when choosing a contact from your address book. Train departure search now works correctly. Watch App: Long line names now show correctly. Your feedback means a lot - if you have any suggestions, or run into any issues, just tap on the Settings button and get in touch with us. If you can spare a moment, we'd love it if you could leave a review on the App Store - it means so much to us to hear from you, our customer. Thanks for using the app!
Ratings and Reviews
Ui for live tracking is confusing.
There is the ability to show live tracking for a stop, but it is buried in a confusing UI. I would like to have a shortcut for showing live tracking on certain lines. But you have to click through multiple screens and manually select it each time, it is not clear or intuitive. Also, sometimes live tracking won’t turn off, so you have to uninstall the app to not drain battery life. This app has potential and i am paying for a subscription so hopefully they fix that part. The watch app and widgets are also not that useful, they just tell you if service is OK. Why not have the next 3 times for favorited lines, with service warnings only when there is a delay?
App Privacy
The developer, Adamton Apps ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Health & Fitness
- Contact Info
- Search History
- Identifiers
- Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
- Chicago+ Annual $29.00
- Chicago+ Monthly $5.00
- Chicago+ Annual $8.99
- Secret Discount $4.99
- Chicago+ Annual $12.99
- Chicago+ Annual $17.99
- Lifetime Pass $89.00
- Developer Website
- App Support
- Privacy Policy
Family Sharing
Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.
NYC Transit: MTA Bus & Subway
Seattle Transit: Bus Tracker
Boston Transit: MBTA Tracker
PhillyMove: SEPTA Metro Times
Toronto Bus & Subway Tracker
Vancouver Metro Bus Tracker
You Might Also Like
Bus Tracker - Chicago
Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker
ezRide Chicago CTA Transit
MyChicago Bus Tracker
Chicago BusTracker - CTA
Chicago CTA Bus Tracker
Awesome, you're subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
The best of Chicago for free.
Sign up for our email to enjoy Chicago without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).
Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
Love the mag?
Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.
- Things to Do
- Food & Drink
- Time Out Market
- Coca-Cola Foodmarks
- Attractions
- Los Angeles
Get us in your inbox
🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!
Chicago transit guide
Before you hop on that bus or train, plan your trip on Chicago transit with information about El stations, Ventra and more
If you're looking for a way to get around the city, you can always take a cab or drive, but the cheapest way to and from the Loop and everywhere it leads is to hop on a bus or a train. Plan your trip in by keeping up to date with CTA projects, Ventra hiccups and everything else you need to know about Chicago transit.
The latest Chicago transit news
High-speed rail project from O'Hare to Chicago in the works
A high-speed rail project would connect O'Hare to downtown Chicago, Rockford, Champaign and beyond.
Say goodbye to the Madison/Wabash El station
One of the city's most depressing El stations closed for good on Monday.
CTA to host concert series outside of El stops in June
Your evening commute during the second and third weeks of June is going to be way more interesting.
Red light cameras are a pain, but speed cameras are much worse
On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emananuel announced that the city will remove 50 red light cameras at 25 intersections and that those cameras would no longer be issuing...
Chicago transit features
The 5 worst intersections in Chicago
There are loads of terrible intersections throughout the city. Here are some of the worst that we're aware of.
A complete guide to the 606
For years, the Bloomingdale Trail was an unused elevated train line, riddled with weeds and broken bottles. After some extensive rennovations, it's now...
Quiz: Which CTA El station is this?
Whether you love or loathe the CTA, as a Chicagoan you probably spend plenty of time riding the El. But have you ever stopped to really notice the art on...
You can rent out a private CTA train for $1,800
We’ve all been there. You’re waiting for a train with your friends in the wee hours of the morning and a completely empty train car rolls up. It’s every...
Historic photos of Chicago trains and buses
Take a ride back in time on the green and cream CTA buses, trains, trolleys (and horses!) from Chicago's public transportation past
2014's best People of the CTA photos
One of the best (and worst) things about Chicago transit is that all kinds of people from different walks of life—sometimes different planets—are huddled...
The 19 people you'll see on the CTA
All kinds of bizarre people ride our buses and trains, but these are the most common characters you'll see—and attempt to avoid
The 6 best and 6 worst El stations
Some CTA stops make us happy to ride the train, other make us angrier than a tourist trying to reload a Ventra card
Everything you need to know about Ventra
Ventra FAQs
Cutting through the information fog on the CTA’s fare system
The best #AskVentra questions on Twitter
Chicago's most (un)reliable PR fiasco suffers yet another public embarrassment
The best reactions to the CTA's fare system
After the morning commute, the "new way to pay on the CTA" has garnered mixed reactions
We answer your Chicago transit questions
What does it take to get a seat on the train?
Pregnant, gimpy, overburdened or all three: What's a girl gotta do to earn a seat on the jam-packed El?
Can CTA employees use signs and vests to park in tow zones?
The transit agency says it’s looking into the use of emergency signs and CTA vests to dodge fines
Are there public bathrooms at the Chicago Blue Line station?
In the mezzanine level of the Chicago Blue Line stop, there are two bathroom doors. Are these open to the public?
What's up with the See Something, Say Something poster campaign?
Does the CTA’s poster campaign do nothing?
Discover Time Out original video
- Press office
- Investor relations
- Work for Time Out
- Editorial guidelines
- Privacy notice
- Do not sell my information
- Cookie policy
- Accessibility statement
- Terms of use
- Copyright agent
- Modern slavery statement
- Manage cookies
- Advertising
Time Out products
- Time Out Worldwide
Time Out magazine
- Maps & Schedules
- Skip to main content
Plan a Trip
The RTA Trip Planner allows travelers to plan trips in the Chicago region using public transit (CTA, Metra and Pace) that include driving, biking and walking directions.
IMAGES
VIDEO