Taking Public Transportation to the Chicago Loop (Downtown)

CTA and Metra Trains for Chicago Loop Commute, Tourist Attractions and Entertainment

All Chicago public transportation train lines converge at the Chicago Loop. The primary issue relates to locating the closest train station or bus stop to one's departure point and determining the closest Loop platform to the arrival area. The Chicago Loop is actually in reference to the elevated "El / L" tracks that encircle the Windy City's downtown core in "Loop" formation overhead Lake, Wells, Van Buren, and Wabash streets.

The Chicago Loop is the primary destination of commuters, tourists and partygoers. City Hall, The Sears Tower (Willis Tower), Chicago Board of Trade, Grant Park, Chicago Theatre District, Soldier Field, Navy Pier, and the River North entertainment area are all points of interest inside, or within close proximity of the Chicago Loop.

The Second City's sprawling commercial district is second only to New York City and is the cultural and business focal point of all things Midwest. The area is largely a maddeningly congested zone of one-way streets, jam packed expressways that skirt the perimeter of the Loop, and outrageously priced parking.

We recommend that tourists, visitors, and commuters use public transportation to get to the Chicago Loop.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Trains cost $2.25 per one-way fare at the time of this writing. Riders are allowed to exit and re-enter the CTA system or transfer from rail to bus two additional times for $2.50. Although the Red and Blue Lines offer 24-hour service, the majority of bus and train lines stop operating during the early morning hours.

Of course, Metra commuter trains run hourly and charge fares according to peak hour scheduling and zones that cap out at $8.05 per one-way. Commuters should especially be certain to reconcile Metra schedules with their respective trips in order to determine that these trains are actually available in-step with the planned excursions.

This guide details how to use public transportation to get to the Chicago Loop.

How to Take Chicago Public Transportation to Get to the Loop from O'Hare Airport, the North Side, and North Suburbs