The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the train service in the City of Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs. Known as Chicago CTA 'L' Train (aka the El), the Chicago rapid transit trains serve 145 stations throughout the city and nearby suburbs, on elevated railways, in subways, or on the ground.
The Chicago Transit Authority elevated/subway train service ("L" train) is made up of the Red, Blue, Brown, Orange, Green, Pink, Purple and Yellow lines. Trains run about every 7 to 10 minutes, and every 10 to 15 minutes in later evenings. All lines run daily except the Purple Line Express to Downtown.
The CTA Blue Line provides 24-hour rapid transit train service and offers the most direct route between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and the Forest Park terminal, via downtown Chicago.
The Brown Line route operates from Kimball to downtown (with certain late night trips between Kimball and Belmont only). The Brown Line then loops through downtown, and heads northwest towards Lincoln Park, then further north towards Kimball.
The Green Line route travels between Harlem in Forest Park, IL and Oak Park, IL to 63rd Street on Chicago's South Side, via Loop 'L'.
The shortest of CTA lines, the Orange Line route travels between Midway International Airport and downtown (Loop), and provides service to Chicago's Southwest Side.
The Pink Line route travels between 54th/Cermak (serves Cicero and Berwyn) and downtown Loop.
The Purple Line route travels between Linden (in Wilmette) and Howard (in Chicago) via Evanston. Additionally, during weekday rush-periods, express service continues to downtown Loop.
The Red Line is the most direct north/south train route and provides 24-hour train service between Howard on the North Side and 95th/Dan Ryan on the South Side via downtown Chicago. This Red Line travels on both elevated track and underground along the route.
The Yellow Line route travels between Dempster-Skokie and Howard (in Chicago), with connecting service to downtown Chicago via Purple Line Express or Red Line.
This line is also commonly known by its original, service name, the "Skokie Swift."
Paying your fare to board a CTA Train is as easy as:
Purchasing a reloadable Ventra Card from the vending machine.
Using a contactless bankcard, or the
Wallet app on your mobile phone.
Simply tap the media on the turnstile to pay your fare.
* Passengers with RTA-issued Reduced Fare permits and children ages 7 to 11. Children under 7 ride free with a fare-paying customer. Call the RTA at 312-913-3110 for more information about RTA Reduced Fare permits.
