![]() In particular, the Loop is a rectangular set of stops utilized by the Purple, Brown, Orange, and Pink Lines to service downtown and to turn the trains around.Ī fifth line - the Green Line - uses some of the Loop stops as it passes through downtown, but it doesn’t make the full loop and turn around like the other four lines. Second, the Loop is a section of elevated train tracks within the Loop (neighborhood). It is the center of business activity for the city and home to many tourist attractions. First, the Loop is a neighborhood in downtown Chicago bound by the Chicago River (north), Lake Michigan (east), Roosevelt Road (south) and the Chicago River again (west). You can always say “train” and people will know what you mean. Regardless of whether you’re talking about a subway or elevated section, though, you can refer to “taking the L.”īy contrast, you would only say “taking the subway” if you’re going underground at some point. Others spend a significant portion as subways. Some L routes are at or above ground level for their entirety. Ventra is the payment system for riding the CTA (including buses and the L) and Pace buses. ![]() “El” is also frequently used in place of “L”, including on several official city publications, but “L” is the official term used by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which operates the trains and also operates the city’s bus system.ĬTA and a second company, Pace, operate bus routes in the suburbs. “L” is derived from “El” which is in turn an abbreviation for “elevated” which refers to the fact that much of the system is on elevated tracks that run above streets, rather than under them as in a traditional subway system. Why is Chicago’s train system called the L?Ĭhicago’s main train system is colloquially referred to as “the L.” It consists of eight train lines-Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow. “L”? WTF? Yea, let’s talk about some terminology. Now, how about the longer version? Riding the L - Some Terminology Google Maps is helpful for this, or you can look at the line’s map and get on the train that is going the required direction.įinally, head up to the platform and get on the train. If you have a contactless bank card, or Apple Pay or Android Pay, you can skip this step.įourth, tap your ticket / card / device at the turnstile, and go through.įifth, make sure you know what direction you’re going. Purchase a $3 ticket (one ride and two transfers), a one-day ticket, or a Ventra Card that you can load with whatever value you want. Third, go to your train station and purchase your ticket from the ticket machine. You’ll need this to purchase your ticket. Second, have a bank card or at least $3 cash on you. Other trains-like ME, BNSF, MC-W-aren’t L trains. It should tell you to take the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line, or Yellow Line. But you’re going to ask questions, and we’re going to tell you to read the rest of this post.įirst, figure out where you need to go and make sure you need to take the L. How Do I Take The L In Chicago? (The Short Answer)įine, we’ll give you the short version.If you’d like to learn more about the CTA bus system - the other component of the CTA transit system - click through to read our guide. The official source for information on Chicago’s L train system is the CTA, which has a website through this link. This post is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate as of the date of publication. This post is written mostly for tourists and Chicago newbies, but we have no doubt some locals could use a refresher. In this guide, we hope to cover everything you need to know to successfully ride the L. The L provides access to almost all of the city, and virtually no Chicagoan who has ever left the house hasn’t ridden the L. Chicago’s L train system is one of the largest and busiest train systems in the country.
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