Exploring Chicago

When heading downtown, you have several transportation options. In fact, transportation gave downtown Chicago its nickname, the Loop—referring to the elevated trains encircling the area. Bicycling 7.5 miles up the lakefront is an option, too. On weekends and at non-peak times, you can take your bike on CTA trains.

The University subsidizes six CTA bus routes. You can take the two routes below to reach downtown or beyond; see Transportation in Hyde Park for the routes that operate in Hyde Park and Transportation beyond Chicago for the #192 bus to downtown train stations. See the maps beginning on page 102 of the print edition of this guide or the CTA Web site at www.transitchicago.com for route details.

Fares: $1.75 with a transit card, plus 25¢ for a transfer; $2 with cash, no transfer.

Fare cards and passes: Buy them on campus at Regenstein Library, Room 100F; off campus at the Museum of Science and Industry, currency exchanges, CTA stations, and Jewel and Dominick's food stores; or on the Internet at www.transitchicago.com.

CTA #173 (Lakeview Express)

Where: The bus runs from Hyde Park to the Loop and the Near North Side. Service is northbound only. See the maps beginning on page 102 of the print edition of this guide or go to the CTA Web site at www.transitchicago.com. 

When: The bus runs Monday–Friday during the school year, departing from the Reynolds Club at 3:35 p.m. and then every 30 minutes until 6:35 p.m.

 CTA #174 (Garfield L Stations)

Where: The bus runs Monday–Friday year-round every 20 minutes, 5:40 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. During the school year it also operates Friday and Saturday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

More information: For updated schedules, maps, and more, go to bus.uchicago.edu. Or contact:

Don't forget that you can get to anywhere in Chicago—including the student-recommended attractions listed in Chicago attractions—by using the Lakeview Express or the Garfield L Stations bus to link to other CTA bus and train routes.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Web: www.transitchicago.com
Travel information: 312-836-7000
Customer assistance: 888-YOURCTA

CTA means buses and trains (both elevated and subway). Pick up CTA maps and schedules at the Reynolds Club information desk.

CTA routes, schedules, and fares change periodically; be sure to visit www.transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 for details, updates, or changes.

Fares

The full fare is determined by the type of payment you use. A transfer allows you to get two more rides on a different bus or train within the CTA system within two hours of your initial ride. Transfers help when you need to take more than one bus or train to get to your destination.

Cash: No transfers are issued if you're paying with cash. It costs $2.00 to ride either a bus or a train. You'll need dollar bills or coins to pay the exact fare, because change is not returned.

Fare cards: If you ride the CTA a lot, you can save money with a Transit Card, Chicago Card, or Chicago Card Plus. For every $20 you put on your card, you get an extra $2 added to the card.

When you put your Transit Card in the farecard machine on a bus, $1.75 is deducted. If you ride a CTA train, $2.00 will be deducted. Another 25 cents will be deducted the first time you transfer within the next two hours, and the second time will be free. You can keep using the card—if your balance gets low, add more cash at a transit card machine located in CTA train stations. But be sure to check the date on the back of the card every so often: the transit card expires after one year.

If you use a Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus, it will cost only $1.75 to ride either a bus or a train, with two transfers for 25 cents within two hours after the first boarding. These cards can be ordered online at www.chicago-card.com or by mail for an initial purchase fee of $5 (not available for transportation). The fare is automatically deducted when you use the card at the farebox or turnstile. Cards can be registered to protect against loss or theft. The Chicago Card Plus allows you to add value via credit card when the balance runs low.

Unlimited riding passes
You can buy passes that allow unlimited riding on all CTA buses and trains for the following periods and amounts: 1-day, $5; 2-day, $9; 3-day, $12; 5-day, $18; 7-day, $20; and 30-day, $75. These passes cannot be shared or recharged. Buy a pass at the Museum of Science and Industry, currency exchanges, Jewel or Dominick's food stores, or Regenstein Library, Room 100F.

CTA #6 Jackson Park Express
A quick, cheap way to get downtown, the Jackson Park Express follows Lake Shore Drive north to downtown, then makes several stops on Michigan Avenue up to Wacker Drive. It follows a similar route back to Hyde Park, taking State Street south instead of Michigan Avenue. A one-way ride takes approximately 30 minutes.

Where to catch it:



When to catch it:
The #6 Jackson Park Express starts running early; the last bus back to Hyde Park leaves the Loop at 1:00 a.m.

CTA #X28 Stony Island Express
The Stony Island Express follows Lake Shore Drive to downtown, runs north on Michigan Avenue to Adams Street, west on Adams Street to Union Station, and then back to Michigan Avenue along Jackson Boulevard. It returns south to Hyde Park via Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. It runs south to 103rd Street along Stony Island Avenue.

Where to catch it:

When to catch it:
The #X28 Stony Island Express runs on weekdays only. It starts running in the early morning; the last bus to Hyde Park leaves Union Station at 7:50 p.m. There is no service between about 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Buses run every 10 minutes.

Metra commuter rail

Web: www.metrarail.com
Phone: 312-322-6777

Metra offers commuter train service between various suburbs and downtown. Metra's Electric line, which runs right through Hyde Park, is best for reaching the outer city limits and the suburbs. The main depot (Millennium Station) is at Randolph Street/South Water Street and Michigan Avenue.

Many long-time residents consider Metra the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the Loop. A ride to the Loop takes about 15 or 20 minutes.

Fares are determined by the areas of the route where you get on and off. Area A is from Millennium Station (at Randolph Street/South Water Street) to 27th Street. Area B contains all the Hyde Park stops: 51st/53rd Streets, 55th/56th/57th Streets, and 59th Street. Travel between Area A and Area B costs $2.15 if you buy your ticket at the train station. Fares can also be purchased on the train, but you'll pay an extra fee of $2.00 if an agent was on duty at the station when you boarded. If you use the Metra a lot, buy a 10-ride pass for $18.30 (for use between Areas A and B) or a monthly pass for $58.05. Up to three children (11 and under) travel free with an adult.

Where to catch it:



When to catch it:

You can find a detailed schedule on the Web at www.metrarail.com/schedule.html.

Cars

Driving in Chicago isn't too bad for a big city—easier than Boston or New York, for example—but there are often traffic jams or construction, and parking is hard to find and/or expensive in places like the campus and downtown. Also, beware of rush hour—it lasts most of the morning and begins again at 3:00 p.m., sometimes continuing as late as 7:00 p.m.

Illinois law requires you to have proof of auto liability insurance coverage in your car. Be aware that talking on your cell phone while driving is illegal in Chicago. You must use a hands-free device if you need to use your phone while driving.

For traffic updates, listen to the radio or check out the interactive map of traffic congestion on the Web site of the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor Transportation Information Center at www.gcmtravel.com.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed from the street, but in Hyde Park, call in advance and arrange for a cab to pick you up (allow about 20 minutes). If you do call ahead, you can pay by credit card. In Chicago, you pay the amount shown on the meter, plus any tolls. The meter should start at $2.25, then increase $1.80 for every mile, plus a charge for waiting time. You'll get charged extra for additional passengers, but not for baggage. Tipping is customary. Car seats for children are available.

The main cab services are Yellow Cab (312-TAXICAB) and Checker Cab (312-CHECKER).

For information on transportation that will take you beyond the limits of downtown Chicago, see Transportation beyond Chicago in Student Life.

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