Chicago City Guide - Getting Around

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) (tel: 1 888 968 7282/YOUR CTA; website: www.transitchicago.com) operates trains and buses within the city. The trains are referred to as the ‘El' or ‘L' (the name is derived from the elevated rail that circles around the main Downtown business and shopping district). Each of the seven train lines are identified and named by a different colour. CTA services run 24 hours. Overnight or Night Owl services operate between approximately 0000 and 0500.

Passes for two, three and five days are available. There is a transfer charge of US$0.25 between routes, whether train or bus. Tickets and passes are available for purchase from machines and ticket offices at the stations, as well as from visitor information centres and directly from the CTA.

Metra (tel: (312) 322 6777 or (312) 836 7000; website: www.metrarail.com) is a commuter rail system serving the suburbs and surrounding cities with 12 lines.

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (tel: (312) 322 6777; website: www.rtachicago.com) oversees Northern Illinois public transportation and includes, the CTA, the suburban bus line, PACE (tel: (847) 364 7223), and Metra.

Free trolley buses (tel: 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO; website: www.choosechicago.com) travel between the city's most popular attractions like Navy Pier, the Museum Campus and North Michigan Avenue. Buses run from late May until early September and then again during the holiday season (late November until after New Year's Day).

Pedways
An underground system of ‘pedways' (pedestrian walkways or subways to the British) is especially useful for escaping the weather and crowded downtown streets. From this network, which links over 40 blocks of streets, there is access to many buildings, stations and shops in the Loop. Maps are available, free of charge, from hotels and around the various points of the system, including the Illinois Center.

These are easy to hail on the streets, especially in the Loop and Wrigleyville. A tip of 10-15% is usually expected. The main companies are American United Cab Assoc. (tel: (773) 248 7600), Checker Taxi Assoc. Inc. (tel: (312) 243 2537), Flash Cab Co (tel: (773) 561 4444), Jiffy Cab Co (tel: (773) 487 9000), Wolley Cab (tel: (312) 225 5411) and Yellow Cabs (tel: (312) 829 4222/TAXICAB).

For those who are new to the city, driving is not recommended. The traffic is hectic during rush hours (0700-0930 and 1600-1900) and confusing because of the one-way street systems in Downtown areas. Local drivers are sometimes impatient with those who do not know where they are going, so it is best for visitors to get into the main areas by train, bus or taxi and continue on foot.

If driving is the only option, be aware that the city streets are largely based on a grid pattern, the central point of which is the crossroads at Madison Avenue and State Street, in the Loop district. From here, the naming of a street as ‘north' or ‘south' or as ‘west' or ‘east' is taken for granted.

Street parking meters take coins above US$0.10 (a dime), with US$0.25 (a quarter) being the most useful coin. The more congested the area, the higher the meter rate. Major attractions may have limited parking but, in general, Downtown parking is difficult and expensive. From 1 December to 1 April, Snow Parking regulations apply on many streets, making fewer spaces available, and cars parked on snow routes are likely to be towed.

The minimum age for hiring a car varies from 21 to 25 years. Car rental agencies charge an extra premium to drivers under 25. A valid driving licence or an International Driving Permit is required. Costly insurance can be part of the hire arrangement, but renters should check their auto insurance to see if their policies cover rental cars.

The major US car hire companies are all available. These include Alamo (tel: 1 800 327 9633; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com) and National (tel: 1 800 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com).

For visitors, cycling on the streets is discouraged; however, biking the lakefront cycling paths is quite pleasant. Bike Chicago, at Navy Pier, Millennium Park (tel: 1 888 245 3929; website: www.bikechicago.com) or at North Avenue Beach (tel: (773) 327 2706) has a good range of bicycles for hire. Cycling tours are also available at Bike Chicago.