Convenient, affordable bus and rail service – as well as a dedicated bus shuttle – will take car enthusiasts to McCormick Place for the 2020 Auto Show
Leave the traffic hassles behind and let the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) get you to the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, beginning Saturday, February 8 through Monday, February 17, 2020 at McCormick Place. CTA encourages customers to plan their trip beforehand and allow for extra travel time.
By Train
The Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station is located three blocks west of McCormick Place. Customers can connect to the Green Line via multiple rail lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Brown and Pink lines), which provide free transfers at multiple locations and will have signage directing customers where to transfer and exit.
By Bus
McCormick Place is served by the #3 King Drive and the #21 Cermak routes.
#3 King Drive
Extra service operating between Fairbanks/Ontario and McCormick Place, as follows:
- Weekdays: 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Weekends: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
#21 Cermak
Provides connection between McCormick Place and the Green and Red Lines
Auto Show Bus Shuttle
A dedicated “Auto Show” bus shuttle route operates from 9 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. for the duration of the Auto Show; except on February 17th, when service ends at 8:20 p.m. The shuttle will serve McCormick Place, Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and downtown making the following stops:
Northbound/“To Metra Stations – Via Downtown”:
- McCormick Place: At Gate #26 beneath McCormick Place
- Museum Campus: On Columbus at 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Adams and Wabash
- Adams and State
- Adams and Clark
- Adams and Wells
- Adams and Wacker
- Adams and Canal
- Canal and Madison
- Canal and Randolph
Southbound/”To Auto Show McCormick Place”:
- Ogilvie Transportation Center: On Clinton at Madison
- Union Station: Corner of Clinton and Quincy or Jackson Blvd and the Chicago River
- Jackson Blvd and Franklin
- Jackson Blvd and Financial Place
- Jackson Blvd and Dearborn
- Jackson Blvd and State
- Jackson Blvd and Wabash
- Museum Campus: On Columbus at 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge
- McCormick Place: At Gate #26 beneath McCormick Place
Fare Information
The CTA recommends that customers plan ahead and purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail stations. Below are some of the convenient methods to pay your way on the CTA:
For Ventra card users:
Customers can load their registered Ventra cards ahead of time with either transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) via:
- Free Ventra app
- Ventra vending machines at rail stations
- Online at www.ventrachicago.com
- Nearly 900 local retailers (ventrachicago.com or the Ventra app for locations)
For customers without a Ventra card:
Disposable Tickets
Customers can also purchase from Ventra vending machines:
- 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10)
- Single-ride tickets ($3) that includes up to two transfers in two hours. At O’Hare, single-ride tickets cost $5 each
Contactless-Pay-as-you-go (using Apple Pay, Google Pay or contactless wave bankcard)
If you have a phone with contactless payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay set up, or any bankcard with the contactless payment symbol , you don't need to get a card or ticket!
Skip the machines and pay a Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) fare directly at the turnstile.
Note that the PAYG fare is $2.50 per full fare ride on bus or train (except at O'Hare), plus $0.25 for up to two transfers within two hours (paid upon first transfer). Free transfers are also available where designated, and you can use these options to pay for up to 7 people (including yourself) traveling together. Note you may see a temporary pre-authorization hold of $5 in in your app/account when using this option, but you'll only be charged the correct fare once we reconcile the fare used with your bank.
Service Information
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
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