What the CTA is and who runs it

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the bus and rail system that serves Chicago and 35 surrounding communities. It is a public agency run by the City of Chicago, not a private company. The CTA runs two rail lines — the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Brown Line, Purple Line, Pink Line, Orange Line, and Yellow Line — plus more than 100 bus routes across the region.

The CTA is separate from Metra, which runs commuter rail to suburbs farther out, and Pace, which runs bus service in the suburbs. If you are traveling within Chicago or to nearby areas like Evanston or Oak Park, the CTA is your system. If you are going to the far suburbs or to O'Hare or Midway airports, you may use CTA, Metra, or Pace depending on your starting point and destination.

You can check routes, real-time train and bus arrival times, and plan trips on the CTA website or through the Citymapper or Google Maps apps, which all show CTA schedules.

Key Takeaways

  • A single CTA fare costs $2.50 for a bus or train ride, and transfers between buses or between bus and train are included free for up to two hours.
  • The Ventra card is the CTA's payment system; you can buy it at stations, online, or at retailers like Walgreens, and load money onto it or buy passes.
  • Monthly passes cost $105 and cover unlimited rides; weekly passes cost $30; daily passes cost $13.
  • Reduced fares are available for seniors (age 65+), people with disabilities, and students with valid school ID, and cost half the regular fare.
  • The CTA runs 24 hours a day, but late-night service is limited; most trains run every 3 to 15 minutes during the day and every 10 to 30 minutes at night.

How to pay for a single ride or transfer

To ride the CTA, you need a Ventra card or a contactless payment method. A Ventra card is a reusable plastic card that you tap at the turnstile or fare reader when you board. You can buy a blank Ventra card at any CTA station, at select Walgreens locations, or online at the CTA website for $2. Once you have the card, you load money onto it — this is called "stored value" — and each ride deducts the fare automatically.

You can also pay with your phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay if your phone has contactless capability. Tap your phone at the reader the same way you would tap a card. The CTA charges the same fare whether you use a card or your phone.

A single ride costs $2.50 on a bus or train. When you tap your card or phone, the CTA gives you a free transfer good for two hours. This means if you take a bus and then a train within two hours, you only pay once. Transfers work between any combination of buses and trains — bus to bus, train to train, or bus to train — as long as you stay within the two-hour window.

If you do not have a Ventra card or contactless payment, you cannot board. The CTA does not accept cash.

Passes and monthly payment options

If you ride the CTA more than a few times a week, a pass usually costs less than paying per ride. The CTA sells three types of passes on the Ventra card:

  • Daily pass: $13, covers unlimited rides for one calendar day (midnight to midnight).
  • Weekly pass: $30, covers unlimited rides for seven days starting on the day you first use it.
  • Monthly pass: $105, covers unlimited rides for one calendar month (the 1st through the last day of the month).

You can buy passes at any CTA station, at Walgreens, or online at the CTA website. You load the pass onto your Ventra card the same way you load stored value. Once you have a pass, you tap your card at every turnstile just as you would with stored value — the system knows which type of pass you have and does not charge you again until the pass expires.

If you set up automatic renewal on the CTA website, a new monthly pass will load onto your card on the first of each month. This saves you a trip to buy a new pass each time.

Reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and students

The CTA offers reduced fares to three groups. A reduced fare is half the regular price: $1.25 per ride instead of $2.50, and passes are also half price ($52.50 for a monthly pass instead of $105).

Seniors age 65 and older can get a Reduced Fare Permit by visiting any CTA station with a photo ID and proof of age (a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate). The permit is free and is loaded onto your Ventra card. You will use the same card for all your rides; the CTA system automatically applies the reduced fare when you tap.

People with disabilities can get a Reduced Fare Permit by visiting a CTA station with a photo ID and proof of disability. Acceptable proof includes a current Paratransit ID card from the CTA, a Social Security Administration disability award letter, a Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating, or a letter from a doctor on official letterhead stating your disability. The permit is free.

Students with a valid school ID from a Chicago public school, Chicago charter school, or accredited college or university can buy a student pass. Student passes are not automatically reduced — you must buy them at a CTA station or online, and they cost $30 per month (compared to $105 for a regular monthly pass). You will need to show your school ID when you buy the pass.

How often trains and buses run

CTA service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the day — roughly 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. — trains run every 3 to 15 minutes depending on the line and the time of day. The Red, Blue, and Green lines run most frequently (every 3 to 8 minutes during rush hours). Buses run every 5 to 20 minutes during the day on most routes, with some high-traffic routes running more often.

Late-night service (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) is more limited. Most train lines run every 10 to 30 minutes at night. Some lines have reduced service or close for maintenance during certain late-night hours. Bus service continues but runs less frequently — typically every 15 to 30 minutes on main routes and every 30 to 60 minutes on others.

You can check the exact schedule for any route or line on the CTA website or in the Citymapper or Google Maps apps. Real-time arrival information is also available on these apps and at station displays.

Paratransit service for people who cannot use fixed-route buses and trains

If you have a disability that prevents you from using regular CTA buses and trains, you may be able to use Paratransit, a door-to-door service run by the CTA. Paratransit is not automatic — you must explore and be found may be able to access by the CTA.

To explore, contact the CTA Paratransit office by phone at 312-408-2246 or visit the Paratransit section of the CTA website. You will need to describe your disability and how it affects your ability to use fixed-route service. The CTA will schedule an in-person assessment, usually at a CTA station. During the assessment, a CTA staff member will ask you questions about your mobility, your ability to navigate stations, and your ability to board and exit buses and trains.

If you are found may be able to access, you will receive a Paratransit ID card. Paratransit fares are the same as regular CTA fares ($2.50 per trip, or half price if you have a reduced fare permit). You must book trips in advance — usually at least one day ahead — by calling 312-408-2246 or using the CTA website. Paratransit operates during the same hours as fixed-route service in your area.

Getting to and from O'Hare and Midway airports

The CTA Blue Line serves both O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day and connects directly to the terminals.

From downtown Chicago or the Loop, the Blue Line to O'Hare takes about 40 minutes and costs $5 (a single ride plus an airport surcharge). The Blue Line to Midway takes about 25 minutes and also costs $5. You can use your Ventra card or contactless payment, and the airport surcharge is added automatically when you tap at the airport station.

If you have a monthly pass, the airport surcharge still applies — you pay $5 total instead of the regular $2.50 fare. The pass covers the base fare, and you pay the $2.50 surcharge on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my CTA pass on Metra or Pace?

No. CTA, Metra, and Pace are three separate systems with separate payment cards and passes. If you need to use more than one system, you will need to buy passes or fares for each one. Some regional passes exist that cover multiple systems, but they are not standard CTA products.

What happens if I tap my Ventra card twice by accident?

The CTA system will not charge you twice within a short window — usually 15 minutes. If you tap twice within that time, the second tap is ignored. If you tap more than 15 minutes apart, you will be charged twice, and you will need to contact the CTA to request a refund.

Do I need to show ID when I board?

No, you do not need to show ID to board. You only need to tap your Ventra card or phone at the turnstile. If you have a reduced fare permit, the CTA system recognizes it automatically when you tap — you do not need to show a card or ID to the driver or attendant.

What if my Ventra card is lost or stolen?

Contact the CTA when ready at 877-669-8287 or through the CTA website. If your card has stored value or an active pass, the CTA can freeze it to prevent someone else from using it. You can then buy a replacement card and the CTA can transfer your remaining balance to the new card, though this process may take a few business days.

Can I get a refund if I buy a monthly pass and stop using it?

The CTA does not issue refunds for unused passes. Once you load a pass onto your Ventra card, it is non-refundable. If you buy a pass and do not use it, you can let it expire and buy a new one the following month, but you will not recover the cost of the unused pass.