How to Get Around Chicago on a Budget
Chicago offers plenty of transportation options for visitors and residents ' getting around the Windy City on the cheap is easier than you might think.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Ride the bus. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the nation's second-largest public transit system and offers routes that cover Chicago and 38 suburbs, as well as direct rapid transit routes to O'Hare and Midway airports. This system also includes the well-known "L" or "El" elevated train services.
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2
Use the METRA rail system, especially if you are heading to the suburbs. This system can take you to many points within Chicago and also covers Northeast Illinois.
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3
Consider a CTA visitor's pass, available in one-, two-, three- and five-day options. The more days you buy, the better the deal.
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4
Walk, and use the Pedway in bad weather. Chicago's Pedway is a system of walkways and skywalks that links together much of the city's central business and tourism district. Follow the posted maps, or get a map from a tourist information center.
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5
Bring a bike or rent one. In 1999 Chicago was rated among the top 10 bicycling cities in the country by "Bicycling" magazine. The city offers many miles of bike lanes and is adding more all the time; it also offers bike racks around town.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you plan to walk and take public transit, bring bottled water ' you won't have to keep stopping for a drink, and it will save you lots of money and time over the course of your trip.
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Comments
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Nov 22, 2005
Get a bit of exercise and try walking around the city as much as you can if you know it's safe. You're sure to pass tons of interesting stuff. This works best north of the Loop up to about Wrigleyville. Because of the grid system, it's difficult to lose your bearing even in an unfamiliar area. Just keep an eye on street signs and, if all else fails, remember that the lake is always east. -
Nov 22, 2005
Get a bit of exercise and try walking around the city as much as you can if you know it's safe. You're sure to pass tons of interesting stuff. This works best north of the Loop up to about Wrigleyville. Because of the grid system, it's difficult to lose your bearing even in an unfamiliar area. Just keep an eye on street signs and, if all else fails, remember that the lake is always east.
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Nov 22, 2005
If in the downtown area parking can be very expensive. If you're not going to be more than 2.5 hours then look for a spot anywhere downtown and feed the meter. Then just take a taxi to your destination. You'll save about $10.
