CTA payment - need some guidance

Question

Hello,

I am trying to figure out the best plan for using CTA for a 2 night trip to Chicago. 2 of us will be staying in the Magnificent Mile area flying in/out of O'hare. We plan to take the blue line then the red line to our hotel. Other than going on the Tall Ship Windy, hearing some music nearby, dining, etc we don't have much planned - looking forward to exploring. We intend to do a lot of walking to places we are thinking of visiting but in case we want to explore further, considering we may use public transportation or Uber.

That all said, does it make sense to get a 3 day pass for each of us? Feels like it might be a waste, but I also like the convenience of not having to worry about having money loaded on a card, or bus fare, etc.

Thanks!

Answer

For a short 2-night stay in Chicago, particularly when staying in the Magnificent Mile area, deciding on CTA payment options depends on how much you anticipate using public transportation beyond your airport transfers. Since you plan to walk a lot but may occasionally use trains or buses, here are some considerations.

CTA Fare Options:

3-Day Unlimited Ride Pass: Costs around $20 per person and allows unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains for 72 hours from first use. This is convenient if you want to travel freely without worrying about adding value to a card each time.
Pay-per-ride on a Ventra Card: You can load a Ventra card with a set amount and tap for each ride ($2.50 per single ride for train or bus). Good if you only anticipate a few rides, such as the airport transfer and occasional trips.
Single-ride tickets: Cash fares are $3 for trains and buses if buying on board (or from vending machines), but these are less convenient and slower than using a Ventra card.

Practical Recommendation:

If your plan is primarily walking and you only foresee a handful of train or bus trips (for example, O’Hare to hotel via Blue Line, hotel to Navy Pier or museums, and back), using a pay-per-ride Ventra card is likely more economical. You may only spend around $10–$15 per person for the limited rides you take.
If you prefer convenience and the peace of mind of not worrying about topping up a card or paying per ride, a 3-day unlimited pass is a good choice. It covers all your rides during your short stay, and you won’t need to calculate fare for multiple rides in a day.

Additional Tips:

From O’Hare, the Blue Line is direct to downtown, and the transfer to the Red Line to reach Magnificent Mile is simple. One Ventra card per person works for this journey.
For shorter or one-off trips, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) may be convenient, especially late at night or if traveling with luggage.
Keep in mind that many attractions within the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, and nearby areas are very walkable, reducing the need for frequent CTA use.

In summary, for a mostly walking itinerary with minimal public transport, a pay-per-ride Ventra card is probably sufficient and cost-effective. However, if convenience and a stress-free experience are priorities, the 3-day unlimited pass is reasonable, giving you flexibility for any spontaneous trips.