Jazmin Li
Chicago offers 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day unlimited passes for trains and buses, which can be purchased through the Ventra app or at vending machines. The passes can be added to Apple/Google wallets or physical Ventra cards, which can be bought at stations, retailers, and airports. Contactless payment methods, such as credit cards and Apple Pay, can also be used for direct payment on buses or trains, with fares automatically adjusting to day passes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of a Ventra card | $5 |
| Cost of a 7-day pass | $20 |
| Cost of a 3-day pass | $15 |
| Cost of a 1-day pass | $5 |
| Where to get a Ventra card | At the station, at a retailer, or at a vending machine |
| Where to get a 3-day pass | At the airport CTA stations |
| Where to get a 1-day pass | From any Ventra machine or retailer |
| Payment methods | Contactless credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash |
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What You'll Learn
Using a credit/debit card or Apple Pay
If you're travelling from O'Hare to Downtown Chicago, you can use your regular credit or debit card, or Apple Pay, to make contactless payments directly on L or buses.
If you're using a credit or debit card, you can tap to pay. Your card will be authorised with a $5 charge, and then you will be charged the full fare after your journey. The difference will be credited back to you after a couple of days.
If you're using Apple Pay, you will be charged $5 per trip.
You can also use a contactless bank card to load an unlimited pass onto your card, avoiding the $5 fee for a physical Ventra card. However, you must have used the bank card at least once to pay for a fare before you can load passes onto it.
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Buying a Ventra card at the airport
If you're looking to buy a Ventra card at Chicago O'Hare Airport, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can purchase a physical Ventra card at the airport for $5 and then register it on the Ventra website using a valid US address. This will allow you to add "transit value" to the card, which can be used for purchasing passes. Alternatively, you can avoid the $5 card fee by using your contactless bank card to pay directly for your fares. However, this option does not allow for day or week passes and is pay-as-you-go only.
If you plan to use public transportation during your stay in Chicago, it might be more convenient to purchase a Ventra card and load it with transit value or a pass. The Ventra card can be used on buses and trains, and there are options for unlimited 1-day or 7-day passes that may be more cost-effective depending on your usage. You can also use the Ventra app to purchase passes and add value to your card.
Another option is to buy Ventra tickets from vending machines at the airport or any train station you visit during your stay. These tickets can be for single trips or 1-day passes, and you can buy as many as you need at once. This option may be convenient if you don't want to deal with registering a Ventra card or using the app.
It's important to note that if you choose to buy a Ventra card, the balance will not expire for 18 months, so you can add value and use it again if you return to Chicago within that period. Additionally, the card itself does not expire for 20 years, but there is a $5/month inactivity fee after 18 months of inactivity. So, depending on your plans and preferences, you can choose the option that best suits your needs for buying a Ventra card or using alternative payment methods at the airport.
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Using the Ventra app
The Ventra app can be used to purchase unlimited passes or add transit value as needed. It can also be used to add passes to your Apple or Google wallet.
To use the Ventra app, you must first purchase a Ventra card. This can be done at any station or retailer, including convenience stores like Walgreens and supermarkets like Jewel. You can also buy a card at a Ventra vending machine at Union Station, Ogilvie TC, and Millennium Station. The card costs $5 and you can add $15 "transit value" to it. You can then register the card on the Ventra website by creating an account. This will credit the $5 you paid for the card as additional transit value to your account, giving you a total of $20 to use towards a 7-day pass.
Once you have your Ventra card and account set up, you can use the app to plan your trips and scan your ticket on buses or at stations. The app also allows you to split money between CTA and Metra.
If you are only in Chicago for a short time, you may prefer to use contactless payment methods such as a credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly on buses or trains. These options do not require the purchase of a Ventra card and can be more convenient for visitors. However, the Ventra app and card can offer benefits such as cheaper transfers and unlimited passes.
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Buying a 7-day pass
If you're planning to stay in Chicago for a week, buying a 7-day pass for unlimited travel on trains and buses could be a good option. Here's what you need to know about buying the 7-day Ventra pass:
Purchasing Options
You can buy the Ventra 7-day pass online through the Ventra website or the Ventra app. You can also purchase it in person at vending machines located at train stations, including the airport station when you arrive. Additionally, you can buy Ventra cards at Walgreens drug stores and load the 7-day pass onto them.
Cost
The 7-day pass costs $20 and provides unlimited rides on trains and buses within Chicago. This can be a more cost-effective option than buying individual tickets or a 1-day pass for $5, especially if you plan to use public transportation frequently during your stay.
Registration
If you choose to buy a Ventra card, there is a $5 registration fee. However, you can avoid this fee by loading the 7-day pass onto a contactless bank card. To do this, you must have previously used the bank card to pay for a fare. Alternatively, you can use your regular credit/debit card or Apple Pay to make contactless payments directly on buses or trains without needing a Ventra card.
Convenience
Having a 7-day pass can offer convenience and flexibility during your stay in Chicago. You won't need to worry about purchasing individual tickets or passes for each trip, and you can freely move around the city as needed. This can be especially useful if you plan to explore different neighbourhoods or visit various attractions that are accessible by public transportation.
In summary, if you're visiting Chicago for a week and anticipate using public transportation frequently, the 7-day Ventra pass can be a convenient and cost-effective option. With the pass, you'll have unlimited access to trains and buses, making it easier to navigate the city and make the most of your time in Chicago.
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Purchasing a 1-day pass
You can use a Ventra card to pay for travel to and from Chicago Airport. There are a few options for purchasing a 1-day pass.
Firstly, you can buy a physical 1-day pass at the station, either from a machine or a counter. Secondly, you can purchase a Ventra card for $5 and add $15 "transit value" to it. Then, you can log into the Ventrachicago.com website, create an account, and register your card. This will credit the $5 you paid for the card as additional transit value, giving you a total of $20 to spend on a 1-day pass. Alternatively, you can avoid the $5 card fee by loading a pass directly onto a contactless bank card, but you must have used this card at least once to pay for a fare before loading the pass.
You can also buy a 1-day pass for $5 through the Ventra app. However, some sources suggest that the app does not allow for the purchase of day passes, only offering pay-as-you-go options.
Finally, you can use a normal credit/debit card or Apple Pay to make a contactless payment directly on the L or buses. This will not give you access to a 1-day pass but will instead automatically adjust to a day pass based on usage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use a tap-to-pay credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or any other contactless payment method to pay for travel at Chicago Airport.
No, you can use a contactless payment method to pay for travel at Chicago Airport without needing a Ventra card. However, some sources recommend getting a Ventra card if you are going to be taking multiple rides, as transfers are cheaper with the Ventra card.
You can buy a Ventra card at any train station or retailer in Chicago, including at vending machines at the airport CTA stations. You can also buy them at convenience stores like Walgreens and supermarkets like Jewel.
A Ventra card costs $5, and you can add $15 "transit value" to it. You can then use this card to purchase a 7-day unlimited pass for $20.
No, you need to get the physical Ventra card first before you can use the Ventra app to purchase unlimited passes.
