The Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA, provides train and bus service throughout Chicago and dozens of neighboring communities.

Eight 'L' train lines cross the city providing rapid transit services (known as a "subway" or "metro" system in many cities). 140 local and express bus routes complement this system. Many routes run from early morning through late evening, year-round, and a number run 24/7.

Many of CTA's services connect with or compliment other regional travel services, including Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus services.

Nearest CTA TRAINS & BUSES to Union Station

CTA Trains
Blue Line (O'Hare-Forest Park via downtown): Walk two blocks south along Clinton St. (on the west side of Great Hall) and enter subway station under the viaduct just south of Van Buren St.

CTA Buses
Bus routes 7, 60, 124, 125, 126, 151, 156 and 157 (plus routes 1, 28, 121 and 125 during weekday rush and route 130 mid-May through Labor Day) directly serve Union Station and can be taken from the following locations:

  • Union Station Transit Center: 1, 28, 121, 124, 128, 151, 156
  • West side of Clinton, north side of block: 125, 130, 192
  • West side of Clinton, south side of block: 7, 60, 157.
  • Southwest corner of Clinton/Jackson: 126, 754, 755
transitchicago.com

Other CTA Stations

  • Red Line (Howard-Dan Ryan): take the 1, 7, 28, 126 or 151 buses east to Dearborn for access to the Blue Lines (and Red Line via pedway).
  • Orange, Pink, Brown and Purple Line Express Lines: walk three blocks east on either Jackson or Adams to Wells for Quincy station.
  • For accessible entry to the Blue Line: take a 1, 7, 28, 126 or 151 bus east to Dearborn for access to the Blue Lines (and Red Line via pedway).
  • For accessible entry to other 'L' lines serving downtown, take bus routes 1, 7, 28 or 126 east to State Street to reach the accessible Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren station to reach the Orange, Pink, Brown or Purple Line Express lines, or a 151 bus to Washington/Wabash for these lines and also the Green Line.

Plan Your Trip

You can use trip planners on CTA's website to get step-by-step directions on CTA, as well as from many popular mapping/travel apps.

Fare Cards

You can buy new fare cards and tickets from the Ventra Vending Machine in Union Station (in the Metra ticketing area) or pay a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) fare directly at bus fare readers and 'L' station entry gates using contact-less bankcards or mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Paying with Cash

Cash is also accepted on buses, though exact change is required and transfers are not available when paying cash directly on a bus.

Additional Information & Resources

Still Have Questions?

For additional information on the CTA, or to view the CTA's trip planning tools and information, visit their website at transitchicago.com.