**This is a repost from September 2008, reflecting changes that have been made to Chicago Transit Authority's fares.

The Chicago Transit Authority charges $2.25 per ride by train or bus.  Assuming you commute to and from work, you’re spending $4.50 a day, 5 days a week, for a total of $22.50/wk. 

Using a transit card, the Chicago Card, or the Chicago Card Plus can help reduce your costs.  Using these cards gives you $0.25 off bus fares, knocking a 5-day bus commute down to $20.  Your first transfer is $.25, and the second is free!  If you only ride a CTA bus or train to and from work, five days/wk, then a transit card, Chicago Card, or Chicago Card Plus is the way to go.

The Chicago Card Plus is my personal favorite, because it automatically reloads based on your settings, so you never have to worry about having enough money on the card or on hand.  Just waive the card over the touchpad on the bus or at the train turnstile for quick boarding.  And, if you lose it, you can freeze your balance, and have a new card reissued for $5. 

If giving out your credit card info doesn't work for you, may I suggest:

7-day pass = $23.  Good if you will make more than a 5-day simple commute.  However, if you’re riding for a full month, you want the…

30-day pass = $86.  The best deal, overall.  This is what I use because I commute 6 days/wk instead of five.  I’m saving about $6/mo in fares over the 7-day pass.  If you ride the CTA to and from work more than five days/wk, or more than twice a day, the 30-day pass is your cheapest option.  I also save $28.66/mo in taxes, because my company lets me buy the monthly pas pre-tax for a total savings of $34.66/mo.

Remember, senior citizens ride free, and some students qualify for further reduced fares.  It’s worth it to do the research if you might qualify.  There are also visitor passes, which you should check out on CTA website.
 

Where do I buy one?

You can order and set up a Chicago Card Plus on the CTA website, or click here for a list of vendors.  Your first Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus is FREE!  Replacement cards are $5.

How do the visitor, 7-day, and 30-day passes work?

The expiration date is printed on the back of the pass the first time you use it.  Write it down because after a few uses, the ink will be smudged.

Transit is cheap AND green, and takes the same time or less than driving and parking your car in Chicago traffic.  Now that you know the very cheapest ways to ride, give it a shot!