Chicago Transit Questions
 

Hi,
I will be taking my first trip to Chicago (outside of ORD). I have a few questions about mass transit in the Chicago area.

1. What lines and what parts of the city is the train above ground as I like the above ground transit rather than the tunnels.

2. Can I buy a day pass to the Trains?

3. What is a good line to take and where to get a good view of the skyline while on the train?

Thanks
Ben

1. Everything except the downtown portions of the red and blue lines, and the blue line for a couple stops on the northwest side.

2. Yes, at area grocery stores and currency exchanges (and possibly airports).

3. I don't think you'll really get one, but on the orange line from Midway might be good.

Also check out the METRA train. They have a weekend pass that will let you ride around the entire Chicago and suburban area for a fixed price.

http://www.metrarail.com/

If you take the Blue line from ORD to downtown --- you get a few skyline views on the way in.

All above ground except right in the city

Day Pass is either $5 or $7.

Trains from Airport (ORD or MDW) are safe and pretty clean. I hardly ever take a taxi from airport to downtown as train is fine

2. You can buy day passes at specific vending machines at both airports.

3. Many opportunities, mostly just outside downtown. Some of my favorites:
- Brown Line between Clark/Lake and Armitage (best!)
- The entire Loop elevated in its "skyscraper canyon"
- Orange Line between Adams and Halsted
- Pink Line between Clark/Lake and Polk

The station with the best view may be Cermak-Chinatown. If you get a chance, board the last car and walk to the very end to the empty motorman's cab. The skyline views from this seat, as the train speeds out of downtown on any of the Loop lines, is awesome.

Needless to say, you'll get the best chance to savor views if riding outside rush hour.

For one of the best non-train views of the city, head out to the end of the peninsula where the Adler Planetarium sits. Especially at night. Wow.

I have a friend who works at the Adler. He says the accounting guys tell them that the place would make much more money if they shut down that expensive science stuff and just rented the place out for parties and receptions.

Yeah, the Orange Line between Ashland and Roosevelt has some very nice views. The best probably are in the vicinity of Chinatown, where you get a great view of the skyline, the river, bridges, old prairie-style warehouses, and Ping Tom Park.

Ditto

We also used to ride our motorcycles in on Lake Shore Drive from the Hyde Park area, I always liked the view after passing by McCormick Place, seems the whole city just opens up.

Thanks,

I am planning on taking the Blue Line from ORD to Downtown.

I will take a ride to chinatown to see some of the views from there.

Are any of the Downtown Stops or lines above ground?

I also plan on taking the train to Wrigley Field for the Cubs game on Saturday and to a bar there on Friday night. How is the ride from the Downtown area to Wrigley Field?

Thanks for all of your help, as you can tell I enjoy mass transit rail lines :)

The Adler actually does rent out for events.

The ride to Wrigley from downtown is fine. You need to get off at Addison on the Red line, not Addison on the Brown line. Check on the platforms (or www.transitchicago.com) for bulletins on the red line. It has been running above ground on the Brown line tracks at night alot lately.

Depending on where the bar you're planning to visit is, it is entirely possible that the Brown line Southport station or the Brown/Red line Belmont station may be closer - you can check Google maps and select the transit option under directions for bus/train routing.

The only two lines which run below ground (subway) are the Blue and Red lines. If you don't want to ride the Red line subway to Wrigley, take the brown line to Fullerton and switch to the Red line as it runs above ground at that point.

You will be able to enjoy the downtown views taking the brown line to Wrigley via Fullerton. You want to be on the right side of the train coming out of the loop. Once you pass Chicago you want to be on the left side for the portion between Sedgwick and Armitage. Beyond that there's nothing to see really. I think the brief segment between Sedgwick and Armitage is the best on a clear day.

The machines at the airport will take plastic or cash and sell day passes, multiday passes, and just cards with a set value.

The Blue Line and Red Line are underground in the loop, the rest are all on the loop itself (elevated). To Wrigley you can take the Red to Addison, or if you want to be elevated, take the Brown Line to Belmont and switch to the Red or just get off at Belmont and walk (1/2 mile).

Yes, I know. The Adler accountant guy was sorta lamenting that they should do that alone to maximize revenue.