The Chicago Metro, popularly known as the Chicago “L”, is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). It comprises eight distinct lines that cater to both residents and visitors, providing transportation within the city and extending to some surrounding suburbs.
The entire system spans 165.4 km (102.8 mi) and consists of 145 stations distributed along its eight lines. The schedule varies by the hour, and a single ticket, valid for 3 trips within 2 hours, costs $3.
The ‘L’, as it’s commonly known, handles approximately 542,000 passengers per day. The fare for a ride is set at $1.58. Certain lines, specifically the Red and Blue lines, provide 24-hour service every night. The trains are equipped with air conditioning for passengers’ comfort. However, passengers are not permitted to walk between platforms and the trains are not driverless. Additionally, the platforms are not equipped with screen doors.
Operations are managed by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the system operates 24 hours a day. The standard fare is $2.25. For more information, visit the Chicago Metro Official Website or call +1 888 968 7282.
History
The rapid growth of Chicago in the late 19th century necessitated a more efficient transportation system than horse-drawn carriages. Due to the high cost of constructing an underground system, elevated rails were chosen. In 1892, the earliest version of the modern metro began to operate. It was a steam locomotive capable of transporting a dozen passengers. The original rails are still in use today as part of the Green Line.
Technological advancements of the time generated sufficient income to construct two additional lines. However, neither of these lines extended downtown due to the regulations of that time which required a large number of permits to complete construction in that area. Charles Tyson Yerkes managed to secure the necessary permits in 1897, and construction began on what is now known as the “Loop”.
Since then, the system has been expanded to connect the existing lines with the “Loop” and to construct lines that enable Chicago residents and visitors to travel conveniently throughout the city.
Lines and Stations
The Chicago Metro, also known as the Chicago “L”, consists of eight lines. Seven of these lines pass through a section of downtown known as the “Loop” — a rectangle about 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) long. This is the busiest section of Chicago’s metro system. The entire system spans 165.4 km (102.8 mi) and has 145 stations along the eight lines. Each line has a route name and color, which is typically used as a reference.
Red Line
The Red Line is the busiest line in the Chicago Metro. It has 33 stations spanning 37.7 kilometers (23.4 miles), starting in the north at the Howard station, passing through the underground section known as State Street, and ending at the 95th/Dan Ryan station in Roseland in the south. Like the Blue Line, the Red Line operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Line color: Red
- Number of stations: 33
- Length: 37.7 kilometers (23.4 miles)
- Total trip duration: 65 minutes
- Operating hours: This line operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Blue Line
The Blue Line stretches from the O’Hare International Airport in the northeastern part of the city, passes through the “Loop,” and ends in the far southeast at the Forest Park station. It is the second busiest line, after the Red Line, and also operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Notably, this line has a station with two repeating names (Harlem and Western), which can cause confusion among riders.
- Line color: Blue
- Number of stations: 33
- Length: 43.3 kilometers (27 miles)
- Total trip duration: 46 minutes
- Operating hours: This line runs every day, 24 hours a day.
Brown Line
The Brown Line has 27 stations spread over 18 kilometers (11.18 miles). It starts and ends at the Kimball station. After leaving Kimball station in the northeast part of the city, the line extends to the “Loop,” circles it counterclockwise, stops at all the “Loop” stations, and returns to Kimball following the same route.
- Line color: Brown
- Number of stations: 27
- Length: 18.3 kilometers (11.18 miles)
- Total trip duration: 43 minutes (from Kimball to Clark/Lake, the last station on the “Loop”)
- Operating hours: 4:00 am to 1:30 am Monday to Saturday and from 5:00 am to 1:30 am on Sundays.
Green Line
The Green Line offers two different services, both originating from Harlem/Lake, passing through the “Loop,” and branching off after the Garfield station to terminate at two different locations: Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove. It is the only line in the Chicago Metro system that is completely elevated, and it also incorporates the oldest sections of the system.
- Line color: Green
- Number of stations: 30
- Length: 33.3 kilometers (20.7 miles)
- Total trip duration: 57 minutes to Cottage Grove and 61 minutes to Ashland/63rd
- Operating hours: Both routes run from 4:00 am to 1:00 am on weekdays and from 5:00 am to 1:00 am on weekends.
Orange Line
The Orange Line connects 16 stations from the Midway International Airport to the “Loop”. Like the Brown Line, it circles the “Loop” and then returns along the same route until it reaches Midway again.
- Line color: Orange
- Number of stations: 16
- Length: 20.1 kilometers (12.5 miles)
- Total trip duration: 33 minutes to Adams
- Operating hours: 3:30 am to 1:25 am on weekdays and from 4:30 am to 1:25 am on the weekends.
Purple Line
The Purple Line usually extends from Linden to Howard, with nine stations in between. However, during peak hours (5:20 am to 10:15 am and 2:30 pm to 7:15 pm), it extends from Howard to the last station on the “Loop”.
- Line color: Purple
- Number of stations: 26 stations during peak hours, and 9 stations during non-peak hours
- Length: 24 kilometers (15 miles)
- Total trip duration: 12 minutes from Linden to Howard and 52 minutes from Linden to Washington/Wells
- Operating hours: 4:25 am to 1:30 am from Monday to Thursday; 4:30 am to 2:10 am on Fridays; 5:05 am to 2:15 am on Saturdays; and from 6:05 am to 1:45 am on Sundays.
Pink Line
The Pink Line, Chicago’s newest line, has 22 stations connecting Cicero with downtown Chicago. After leaving the 54th/Cermak station, it reaches the “Loop,” and after the Washington/Wells station, it returns along the same route.
- Line color: Pink
- Number of stations: 22
- Length: 18 kilometers (11.2 miles)
- Total trip duration: 42 minutes to Washington/Wells station
- Operating hours: 4:05 am to 1:25 am on weekdays and from 5:05 am to 1:25 am on weekends.
Yellow Line
The Yellow Line is the only line in the Chicago Metro system that doesn’t pass through the “Loop”. Its three stations extend 8 kilometers (5 miles), starting at the Howard station in the north of Chicago, passing through Evanston, and ending in Skokie.
- Line color: Yellow
- Number of stations: 3
- Length: 8.2 kilometers (5.1 miles)
- Total trip duration: 8 minutes
- Operating hours: 4:45 am to 11:15 pm on weekdays and from 6:15 am to 11:15 pm on weekends.
Schedules and Frequency
Red Line and Blue Line
The Red and Blue lines run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, making them two of the few lines in the United States to offer continuous service. On weekdays, they operate every 2-7 minutes during peak hours and every 7-8 minutes during non-peak hours. On Saturdays, the frequency is every 10 minutes in the morning, every 6-7 minutes during the day, and every 6-8 minutes at night. On Sundays, trains run every 10 minutes in the morning, every 6-9 minutes during the day, and every 10 minutes at night.
Brown Line
The Brown Line operates from 4:00 am to 1:30 am from Monday to Saturday and from 5:00 am to 1:30 am on Sundays. On weekdays, trains run every 3-8 minutes during peak hours, every 7-8 minutes during the day, and every 6-12 minutes at night.
Green Line
The Green Line operates from 4:00 am to 1:00 am on weekdays and from 5:00 am to 1:00 am on weekends.
Orange Line
The Orange Line operates from 3:30 am to 1:25 am on weekdays and from 4:30 am to 1:25 am on weekends.
Purple Line
The Purple Line operates from 4:25 am to 1:30 am from Monday to Thursday, 4:30 am to 2:10 am on Fridays, 5:05 am to 2:15 am on Saturdays, and 6:05 am to 1:45 am on Sundays.
Yellow Line
The Yellow Line operates from 4:45 am to 11:15 pm on weekdays and from 6:15 am to 11:15 pm on weekends.
Connections
Connections between the eight metro lines in Chicago are free and unlimited. Transfers between the metro and buses cost $0.25 and allow for two additional trips within two hours.
Red Line Connections
- Blue Line: Lake, Jackson
- Brown Line: Belmont, Fullerton, Lake, Jackson
- Green Line: Lake, Roosevelt
- Orange Line: Lake, Jackson, Roosevelt
- Purple Line: Howard, Wilson, Belmont, Fullerton, Lake, Jackson
- Pink Line: Lake, Jackson
- Yellow Line: Howard
Blue Line Connections
- Red Line: Washington, Jackson
- Brown Line: Clark/Lake, Jackson
- Green Line: Clark/Lake
- Orange Line: Clark/Lake, Jackson
- Purple Line: Clark/Lake, Jackson
- Pink Line: Clark/Lake, Jackson
- Yellow Line: No connection
Brown Line Connections
- Red Line: Belmont, Fullerton, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, State/Lake
- Blue Line: Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Clark/Lake
- Green Line: Adams/Wabash, Clark/Lake
- Orange Line: Washington/Wells, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Adams/Wabash
- Purple Line: Belmont, Fullerton, Merchandise Mart, Washington/Wells, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Adams/Wabash, Clark/Lake
- Pink Line: Washington/Wells, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Adams/Wabash, Clark/Lake
- Yellow Line: No connection
Green Line Connections
- Red Line: State/Lake, Roosevelt
- Blue Line: Clark/Lake
- Brown Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Orange Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Roosevelt
- Purple Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Pink Line: Ashland, Clinton, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Yellow Line: No connection
Orange Line Connections
- Red Line: Roosevelt, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, State/Lake
- Blue Line: Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Clark/Lake
- Brown Line: Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Green Line: Roosevelt, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Purple Line: Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Pink Line: Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Yellow Line: No connection
Purple Line Connections
- Red Line: Howard, Wilson, Belmont, Fullerton, State/Lake, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren
- Blue Line: Clark/Lake, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren
- Brown Line: Belmont, Fullerton, Merchandise Mart, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells
- Green Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Orange Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells
- Pink Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells
- Yellow Line: Howard
Pink Line Connections
- Red Line: State/Lake, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren
- Blue Line: Clark/Lake, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren
- Brown Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells
- Green Line: Ashland, Clinton, Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash
- Orange Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren, Washington/Wells
- Purple Line: Clark/Lake, Adams/Wabash, Washington/Wells
- Yellow Line: No connection
Yellow Line Connections
- Red Line: Howard
- Purple Line: Howard
Prices, Tickets, and Passes
Ventra Card
The Ventra Card is a reloadable plastic card that can be used for individual rides or for purchasing passes. It costs $5 and can be bought and reloaded at station machines, online, or at various locations throughout the city.
Ventra Card Fares:
- Metro ticket: $2.50
- Bus ticket: $2.25
- Transfer: $0.25 (2 additional trips within 2 hours)
- Unlimited day pass: $10
- Unlimited 3 day pass: $20
- Unlimited 7 day pass: $28
- Unlimited 30 day pass: $105
Single Tickets
For those who don’t wish to use the Ventra Card, single tickets can be purchased from machines at each station.
- Single ticket: $3 (valid for three trips within two hours)
- Single ticket from the airport: $5 (valid for three trips within two hours)
- Unlimited 1 day pass: $10
- Unlimited 3 day pass: $20
Rules, Tips, and Warnings
- On some lines, such as the Blue Line, there are two stations with the same name. Make sure to consult the map thoroughly before setting off to avoid any confusion.
- Except for the Yellow Line, all lines pass through the “Loop,” making it a great place to make connections between lines.
- Although the Red and Blue lines operate 24 hours a day, stations can be deserted and potentially unsafe late at night and in the early morning hours. Please exercise caution.
Notable Facts
- The Chicago metro system is the fourth largest in the United States with a total length of 165 kilometers (102.5 miles).
- It is the second busiest metro system in the United States, surpassed only by New York City.
- The Red and Blue lines operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year, making the Chicago metro one of only six metro systems in the United States that provide 24-hour service.
- The oldest sections of Chicago’s metro began operating in 1892, making it America’s second oldest metro system after the elevated sections of New York City’s system.
- The system is often referred to as the Chicago “L”, a nickname derived from the elevated parts of the system.
- The intersection at Lake and Wells, known as the “Loop,” is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s busiest railway junction.
Future Expansions
One of the largest planned projects is the maintenance, modernization, and extension of the Red Line, which is the system’s busiest line. This project includes not only modernizing several Red Line stations but also extending the line from its current terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street.
Work is also underway to modernize the Blue Line stations and eliminate low-speed zones along its path. Upon completion, this project is expected to reduce travel time between O’Hare Airport and downtown by up to 10 minutes.
Airport Connections
Chicago has two airports: Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport, which is considered one of the world’s busiest airports. The Chicago metro offers direct connections to both airports:
- Midway International Airport: The Orange Line provides direct access to this airport.
- O’Hare International Airport: The Blue Line provides direct access to this airport.
Sightseeing Via Metro
Willis Tower: Once the tallest building in the world, this 442-meter (1,450-foot) skyscraper with 110 floors is still a sight to behold. Its glass-bottomed skyboxes offer stunning views of the city. The Brown, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines take you to Quincy/Wells station, just five minutes from the tower.
Millennium Park: One of the city’s most visited sites and host to many concerts and exhibitions. It’s home to the famous sculpture, The Bean, one of Chicago’s icons, and is just a few steps away from the Art Institute. The Washington/Wabash station, serviced by five lines, is just a few minutes from the park.
Chicago Metro Map
