Preparation and Tips - Public Transport in Chicago

If you're not driving then Celebration's McCormick Place can look a little isolated. Sure, there's Uber and Lyft, as well as good old fashioned taxis, but over a week that can really add up. Ok, nothing beats the freedom of driving yourself, or the door to door service that Lyft/Uber can provide, especially if the weather feels like you'd be warmer on Hoth, but for those of us on a budget or just looking for an inexpensive way to get around, Chicago's public transport is second to none and offers fans a great way to explore the city.

Run by the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago has America's second largest public transport system with a bus and rail network that serves the city and 40 neighbouring communities!

The main way to get around is on the L Train. With 2 stations within walking distance of McCormick Place, it's easy to reach Celebration from wherever you are staying in the city.

The Green Line Cermak-McCormick Place is closest, just a 5 minute walk from McCormick Place's West Building, and the Red Line Cermak-Chinatown is about 10 minutes walk away. The vast majority of services run from early morning (like 4 or 5am) until late (around 1 or 2am) with some lines, including the Red and Blue Lines, running 24 hours a day.

For example, and for those lucky enough to be staying at connected/walking distance hotels, you can get the Blue and Green Lines from O'Hare Airport straight to Cermak-McCormick Place;

There's just a quick change at Clark/Lake;

Or you can get the Blue and Red Lines;

This one involves a slight walk from the Jackson Blue Line station to the Jackson Red Line station, but this service runs 24 hours a day (and this red line does stop at Cermak-McCormick).

Both journeys last roughly an hour and run approximately every 10 minutes.

Or, if you're coming from Midway Airport, you want the Orange and Green Lines;

Just a quick change at Roosevelt and you're there;

The whole journey lasts about half an hour and runs roughly every 7 minutes.

It really is the fastest and cheapest way to get around Chicago. In terms of fares, a single L train journey costs $2.25 plus $0.25 for transfers (up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours). The only exception is a single journey from O'Hare Airport, which costs $5.00. Reading the website it looks like this is just for journeys from the airport, not to.

Alternatively, you can buy a day ($10), three day ($20), or seven day ($28) pass, which will let you ride as much as you need during that time. The passes cover both the L train and the buses, though the suburban PACE bus service is extra if you need it. Honestly, I'd probably recommend getting a pass to anyone going to Celebration. Even if you're staying onsite, unless you want to eat at your hotel every night, you'll want to get out to other parts of the city. The seven day pass works out cheaper than a round trip per day, and that's before you consider the saving you make by getting the train from the airport rather than a shuttle or taxi (just make sure you consider how far your hotel is from the nearest station when deciding what's best for you).

And if the L train isn't enough there are more than 100 bus routes throughout the city, with stops every few blocks. Like the train, single rides start at $2.25 ($2.50 with transfers) and the passes cover both.

You can find out plenty more information at Choose Chicago, and the CTA's website has easy to read "How To" guides and a route planner to help you plan your journeys.