Public Transportation Options
Experience the convenience of Chicago’s multiple public transportation options when traveling to and from McCormick Place. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers an extensive network of bus and “L” train routes, providing an affordable and eco-friendly way to reach McCormick Place from anywhere in the city. The Metra Electric line has a station inside of the McCormick Place Grand Concourse that travels from downtown Chicago all the way south to University Park, IL. Chicago taxis are very familiar with our campus, rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have multiple campus locations in their menus (use the West Building’s Gate 40 for a quick exit!), and even bike sharing platforms can be found on campus.
Click the drop-down menu options below to learn more:
McCormick Place Public Transportation Options
Rideshares (Transportation Network Providers)
A Transportation Network Provider (TNP) company, also referred to as a “rideshare” company, provides prearranged transportation services for compensation through an Internet-enabled application or digital platform connecting passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire.
“Lyft” and “Uber” Rideshare Apps: Both Lyft and Uber are licensed TNP companies with the City of Chicago. Download their application(s) from your favorite App Store.
Apps to Request a Chicago Taxicab – “ARRO” and “CURB”: Both the ARRO and CURB apps offers options for taxicab passengers to electronically hail (E-Hail) a taxicab through a mobile app. Download their application(s) from your favorite App Store.
Download a map of campus transportation gates and loading zones.
Map: CTA and Metra Electric Locations on and near campus
CTA Bus Connections
Getting to McCormick Place made very convenient by riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) transit system. The CTA provides the following bus service and runs approximately every 15 minutes, with drop off located at 2301 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between the main North/South and West Building entrances:
McCormick Place Bus Station List:
• #3 King Drive bus: This is the most common bus route to McCormick Place as it runs both north and south from the McCormick Place campus along Michigan Avenue, including stops at many downtown hotels, the Magnificent Mile, and Water Tower Place.
• #21 Cermak bus: This bus runs east and west along W. Cermak Rd., covering a 10-mile distance west of McCormick Place campus. This is the bus to take to transfer to the Green or Red “L” trains.
Additional Nearby Stations and Routes
• #4 Cottage Grove bus
• #X4 Cottage Grove Express bus
• #1 Bronzeville/Union Station bus
One-way CTA bus fare is $2.25.
It is recommended to pre-purchase a CTA Ventra card and/or download the Ventra app prior to using the bus system, but all CTA buses and trains are also enabled for users to pay by credit card tap if riders do not have a Ventra card.
#3 King Drive Route Map with Hotels | Metra and CTA Bus Routes Map
CTA Rail "L" Train Connections
Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line Station
The nearest CTA “L” train station to McCormick Place is the Green line Cermak-McCormick Place station, located at the intersection of E. Cermak Road and S. State Street, 2 blocks (0.15 mile) from the northwest corner of the McCormick Place West Building.
CTA “L” train routes are designated by colors and terminating stations. When traveling to McCormick Place from the downtown Loop, make sure to enter the southbound Green Line Cottage Grove or Ashland/63rd Branch trains as indicated on the platform and train display cards. When returning to the Loop from McCormick Place use the northbound platform marked “Harlem/Lake”.
Fare and Frequency
One-way CTA “L” train fare is $2.50 (additional fare if coming directly from O’Hare Airport).
It is recommended to pre-purchase a CTA Ventra card and/or download the Ventra app prior to using the CTA train system, but all CTA buses and trains are also enabled for users to pay by credit card tap if riders do not have a Ventra card.
[Optional] #21 Cermak CTA Bus Transfer from the Green Line
As an alternative option to walking, the #21 bus stops directly in front of the McCormick Place South/North and West Building main entrances.
Green Line riders can transfer to an Eastbound #21 Cermak bus located directly below the Green Line Cermak station platform on Cermak Road.
Connections to Other Trains, Airports
The CTA Green Line Route offers convenient citywide connections to the Loop and free transfers to many other “L” lines including the Blue Line – O’Hare Airport branch and the Orange Line – Midway Airport branch. The Green Line also offers near-direct connection to suburban METRA train stations servicing the North and Western Suburbs via Ogilvie Transportation Center, Union Station and Amtrak – via the Clinton Green Line stop.
Metra Train and CTA Bus City Map
Metra Train and CTA Bus Locations at or near McCormick Place
Taking the CTA from the Airports
The CTA “L” trains provide service to Downtown Chicago and McCormick Place from both international airports.
From O’Hare International Airport: The CTA “Blue” line provides service to and from the airport. Take the Blue Line from O’Hare and transfer to a south-bound Green Line train at Clark and Lake. Note, in the Loop the Blue Line is a Subway Train and the Green Line is an elevated train, a free transfer is available at Clark and Lake.
From Midway Airport: The CTA “Orange” line provides service to and from the airport. Take the train to the Roosevelt Street Station (Subway) and transfer to the elevated Green Line Station. Continue on the southbound Green Line train for 1-stop to the Cermak-McCormick Place station.
The Cermark-McCormick Place Station is 2 block (0.15 miles) walk from the Northwest Corner of the McCormick Place West Building.
Here is helpful information for using Metra to traveling from McCormick Place to Midway or O’Hare airports.
Taxi Services
More than 5,800 city taxis are at your service in Chicago. Facility direction signs and personnel at the Concierge Desk will direct attendees to gates that are designated for your event.
Shared Taxi Program: There is a Shared Ride Program available for those flying into O’Hare and Midway and taking a cab from one of these airports to either McCormick Place or downtown.
METRA Electric Rail Connection
Located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the South Building, the METRA Electric commuter railroad provides direct service within seven minutes to and from downtown Chicago. Service from the Millennium (Randolph St.) Station (near the Fairmont Hotel) to McCormick Place begins early morning, with more frequent pick-ups during rush hours.
Shuttle connections (via CTA bus) can be made to the METRA system at Chicago Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and LaSalle Street Station. METRA services the Midwest as far north as Kenosha, Wisconsin; northwest to Fox Lake and Harvard; west to Elgin, Geneva and Aurora; southwest to Joliet and Orland Park; south to University Park; and east to South Bend, Indiana. Metra/CTA Bus Map
Here is helpful information for using Metra to traveling from McCormick Place to Midway or O’Hare airports.
Bike Racks / Divvy Bike Sharing Program
McCormick Place has several public bike racks located around the facility. Please view the Bike Rack Locations map to choose the rack closest to your venue.
Divvy Bike Program: McCormick Place is part of the City of Chicago Bike Sharing System called Divvy. A 24-hour pass can be purchased at Divvy Bike station for a day of unlimited 30-minute trips. Bikes can be reserved and dropped off at any Divvy station around the city, including the station located in McCormick Square – 2301 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. There’s also an additional station located at Cermak and Wabash near the Cermak – McCormick Place Green Line Station. For more information including a system-wide map, www.divvybikes.com
