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Tourist Navigation Guide for Chicago

The Windy City · Chicago's elevated "L" rail is one of the most iconic urban rail systems in the world.

Navigate Chicago with CityNav →
8Transit Lines
27Key Stations
21Accessible Stops
0Metro/Subway Lines

About Getting Around Chicago

Chicago's elevated "L" rail is one of the most iconic urban rail systems in the world. The Loop serves the city centre, with lines fanning out to all major neighbourhoods and attractions.

Top tourist tip: The Ventra app lets you manage your transit card from your phone and access the full CTA rail and bus network.

Best pass for tourists: Ventra 1-day or 3-day pass

Transit Lines in Chicago

Chicago has 8 public transit lines. CityNav supports all of them for offline and real-time navigation.

RedBlueBrownGreenOrangePinkPurpleYellow

Key Stations in Chicago

Clark/Lake
6 lines · Accessible ♿
Washington
1 line · Accessible ♿
Monroe
2 lines · Accessible ♿
Jackson
2 lines · Accessible ♿
Roosevelt
3 lines · Accessible ♿
Fullerton
3 lines · Accessible ♿
Belmont
3 lines · Accessible ♿
O'Hare
1 line · Accessible ♿

+ 19 more stations supported in CityNav

Top Tourist Landmarks in Chicago

Millennium Park
Navy Pier
Art Institute of Chicago
Willis Tower Skydeck
Use CityNav's AR walking navigation to get step-by-step directions to any of these landmarks from your current location.

Transit Authorities in Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Official site →

Train, Bus & Metro Times in Chicago

Chicago has 8 transit lines covering trains, buses and metro routes across the city. CityNav shows real-time departure times at every station — and when you're underground or off the grid, offline timetables keep you moving without any internet connection.

🚆
Trains & Trams

8 lines — offline timetables included, no signal needed

🚌
Buses

Bus routes across Chicago — plan your journey before you board

Check live times in Chicago →

Where to Visit in Chicago

From iconic landmarks to hidden local gems, Chicago has something for every type of traveller. CityNav gives you AR walking directions and step-by-step transit routes to any attraction — no map-reading required.

Millennium Park

AR walking directions via CityNav

Navy Pier

AR walking directions via CityNav

Art Institute of Chicago

AR walking directions via CityNav

Willis Tower Skydeck

AR walking directions via CityNav

💡 Open CityNav's AR camera mode to see walking arrows to any landmark from your exact position — works even without a data signal.

Navigate Chicago with CityNav

Get real-time turn-by-turn directions, AR walking navigation, offline transit maps and SOS emergency alerts — all designed for tourists exploring Chicago.

Open CityNav — Free →

Arriving in Chicago? Airport Guides

Landing soon? These guides compare every way to get from the airport into Chicago — trains, buses and taxis with prices, times and luggage tips.

✈️ O'Hare International Airport (ORD)All transport options to central Chicago — compared
O'Hare to Chicago

🛟 Chicago Safety Centre

Emergency numbers, hospital info, common tourist scams and key local phrases for Chicago — all on one page that works offline in the CityNav app.

Open Chicago Safety Centre →

✈️ Download before you fly

Chicago's transit maps, timetables and Safety Centre work fully offline in CityNav. Download the app before you board and you can navigate from the moment you land — no roaming data, no airport Wi-Fi needed.

Download on the App Store → Get a 7-day Trip Pass — £3.99

Frequently Asked Questions — Getting Around Chicago

What is the Chicago 'L' train?

The Chicago 'L' (elevated) is the city's iconic rapid transit system, famous for its elevated tracks running above city streets and the Loop — a unique elevated circuit encircling the downtown business district. Eight colour-coded lines fan out from the Loop to all major neighbourhoods.

Does the Chicago 'L' run to both O'Hare and Midway airports?

Yes — the Blue Line runs from O'Hare to downtown in about 45 minutes, 24 hours a day. Midway Airport is served by the Orange Line, connecting to the Loop in about 30 minutes. Both use the standard Ventra fare with no airport supplement.

Does any Chicago 'L' line run 24 hours?

Yes — the Blue Line (O'Hare–Forest Park) and the Red Line (Howard–95th/Dan Ryan) run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This makes O'Hare one of the most transit-accessible airports for late-night arrivals in the United States.

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