Decide which type of pass best suits your needs.
The Chicago Card Plus allows to pass through turnstiles with a simple swipe of a card. Best suited for residents who often use the transit system, this type of pass allows you to store your fares in an online account, making it easy to add money to the card. This pass also allows users to choose whether they want to pay on a fare-by-fare basis or as a 30-day ride-all-you-want pass. Those who have a Chicago Card Plus also have the option of registering their pass with CTA. Doing so protects passes against theft or loss. Lost cards may also be replaced.
The Chicago Card keeps track of your remaining fares directly on the card. Each fare is subtracted directly from the pass. Users must visit a Transit Card Vending Machine, found in all stations, to add additional money to their card. Users may register their card with the CTA to protect fares against loss or theft, and get a replacement, if needed.
Transit Cards carry only enough money for a single fare.
Transit Passes allow unlimited rides for a set number of days. For example, if you plan on being in town for a week, the 7-Day Pass gives you seven days of unlimited riding, beginning at the time of purchase.
Purchase your passes ahead of time by contacting CTA online, by mail or phone. Chicago Plus Passes may only be purchased in this manner.
Buy your passes when you need them from one of the vending machines found in every station, CTA headquarters or select outlets. Chicago Cards cannot be purchased from the vending machines.
