How do I get around in Chicago using the Metra, CTA or RTA?

Question: How do I get around in Chicago using the Metra, CTA or RTA?

Answer: One of the most useful web sites for living or traveling in Chicago is the RTA's Trip Planner. With this site, you can find the exact route of how to get from your "Point A" to your "Point B."

The Trip Planner covers the CTA, Metra and Pace systems for travel in the six-county Chicagoland area. This includes Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Will, Kane, and Lake Counties.

You can plan your trip using the following criteria:

• Your starting address, intersection or station for the Chicagoland area. (Or, you can use choose from a pull-down list of attractions and landmarks.)
• Your destination address, intersection, or station. (List of attractions and landmarks also available.)
• The dates and times you want to travel.
• The maximum length you want to walk.
• Whether you require disabled accessibility such as lifts, ramps, or elevators.
• Plan your trip using buses and trains, trains only or buses only.

The Trip Planner will then give you the following results:

• The exact RTA route or routes that will get you where you want to go.
• The expected fare(s) for the route.
• The expected travel times for the route.
• Walking directions between connections, where applicable.
• Any relevant alerts from the RTA about service interruptions or changes.
• Travel tips.