 |
 |
|
Chicago - Travel Information
Getting around (and to) Chicago |
|
The city is connected well by various mode of transportation
like bus service, train and metro services.
By Car
Driving around Chicago in a car can be a horrible experience due
to its terrible traffic. The Dan Ryan Expressway, leading into the
Loop from the east, is usually congested and on occasions when it
is clear, you may get tempted to speeding down, which will lead
you to being ticked with a speeding ticket.
Parking is another hassle. Street parking is a rare observable fact,
so if you are parking in a garage, be prepared to pay more than
what you expected to pay. Moreover, if you're in town for a festival
or special event, forget to drive your way to town. It’s better
to be off on a public transportation.
By Bus
Getting around Chicago is simple and quick by buses and the "El,"
a system of elevated trains operated 24 hours a day by the Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA; tel 312/836-7000).
Buses run every five to fifteen minutes during rush hours and every
eight to twenty minutes at most other times.
The CTA System Maps are available at most subway stations and visitor
centers as well as at the CTA office on the seventh floor of the
Merchandise Mart.
Passengers can also check schedules at www.transitchicago.com
and download maps and timetables.
By Train
The city is connected well by Rapid transit trains that run every
five to fifteen minutes during the day and every fifteen to sixty
minutes all night. Color-coded lines rather than destination denote
the routes. For instance, the Howard-Dan Ryan is the Red Line; Lake
Englewood-Jackson Park is the Green Line; the O'Hare-Congress-Douglas
is the Blue Line; the Ravenswood is the Brown Line (whose trains
circle the Loop, giving the area its name); the Evanston Express
is the Purple Line; and the Skokie Swift is the Yellow Line.
By Taxis
Taxis, regardless of a recent increase in fares, are more reasonable
than those of many other major US cities are. The taxi fares are
$1.50 at the drop of the flag, $1.20 per mile and 50¢ for each
additional passenger. Visitors can hail a cab at anytime in the
Loop and other central neighborhoods; otherwise, call Yellow (tel
312/829-4222) or Checker taxis (tel 312/243-2537).
|
