The Chicago “L”

The Chicago “L” (short for elevated) is the rapid transit system for the city of Chicago. The network consists of 8 lines and 145 stations. The “L” provides 24 hour service on the red and blue lines and is one of only 5 metro systems in the US to do so.

The oldest sections of the “L” began operations in 1892 making it the second-oldest rapid transit system in the Americas, after New York city’s elevated lines.

In the beginning, elevated transit was a lucrative business, and the privately owned Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway (today’s Blue Line) saw an opportunity and capitalised on it by catering to the dead with funeral trains that made stops at specific cemeteries in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, when roads became more accessible, this practice died (!) down.

Operating hours of the Chicago “L”

The operating hours of the Chicago “L” vary depending on the specific line and station, but generally, trains run from early in the morning until late at night, typically around 4:00am to 1:00am. 24 hour services run on the Red and Blue lines all year round (the Chicago “L” is one of only 5 metro services in the US which offers this service).

Alternative transport

Chicago has extensive bus routes, taxi hire and bike sharing throughout the city, as well as the “L”, the second largest transport system in the US.

Buses

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates an extensive network of bus services throughout the city of Chicago. The CTA bus network serves more than 140 routes, providing convenient, reliable and affordable transportation options for residents and visitors alike.

Taxis

Taxi fares in Chicago are regulated by the city and are based on a combination of factors, including distance travelled, time elapsed, and additional charges for services such as baggage handling.

Here’s a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay for a taxi ride in Chicago:

Base fare: $3.25

Per mile fee: $2.25

Per minute fee: $0.20

Additional fees: $1 for each additional passenger, baggage handling, etc.

It’s worth noting that these are just rough estimates and that actual fees can vary depending on the taxi company and the specific trip.

Bike sharing

Cycling is a great way to explore the windy city as it’s a safe and environmentally friendly way to get about. There are numerous options for bike sharing and rental available in the city. One option, Divvy bikes, offers subscription services to use their vehicles. Alternatively, they also offer a single ride option. The cost to unlock a bike is $1, and a fee of $0.17 is charged by the minute.

Tipping in Chicago

Tipping is an important part of American culture so you’ll want to get it right. But if you follow these simple guidelines you’ll have nothing to worry about.

In restaurants and bars it’s normal for service staff to be tipped 15% to 20% of the bill. This isn’t usually added to the bill automatically, but might be for large parties. If the service wasn’t very good it’s still customary to tip at least 10%.

Other service staff (such as valet parking attendants or bellhops in hotels) can be tipped $1 or $2 at a time. For example a bellhop carrying a single suitcase can be tipped $1 for their help.

Taxi drivers are also tipped at 10% to 15% (Uber drivers and Lyft drivers are not, but may ask you to rate them on the app).

Currency in Chicago, USA

The currency in the USA is the U.S. dollar – $

Bank notes are for $1 or higher and coins are used for everything under $1. The coins also have common names that you will hear. So if you’ve ever mixed up a Nickel and a Dime, this is our guide to which one is which:

There are 100 Cents (¢) to 1 dollar ($).

Penny – 1¢

Nickel – 5¢

Dime – 10¢

Quarter – 25¢

ISO Code: USD