Finding student housing in Chicago that is closer to the university becomes a bit difficult given the population of students and the student housing in demand. Although, the city has a systematically laid out transit structure to make the connectivity throughout the city more seamless, especially for students. The CTA, or Chicago Transit Authority, helps in running this complex network of public transportation within the city.
1. Bus: Pace is one of the most prominent bus service providers in Chicago, covering 284 municipalities city-wide. It runs through various routes, especially among universities, to airports and other tourist destinations. The average fare of the bus in Chicago (one-way) is $2.25. To pay for buses in Chicago, students can avail of discounts and use the Ventra Card.
2. Metra Rail: Another efficient way to travel across Chicago is the Metra Rail, which can take you across the multiple suburbs in the city. It has around 11 lines and connects 240 stations laid across the city. The fare depends on the distance you travel, the maximum being $ 9.50 to travel from Zone A to Zone J.
3. Taxis & Cabs: Taxis and cabs are a great alternative if you wish to reach somewhere point to point. Cabs can help you get to your desired exact location without much hassle. The fare for taxis and cabs in Chicago starts from $3.50 and keeps adding on for every extra mile you travel.
4. Water Taxis: Being one of the most unconventional options to travel across, it is still one of the many experiences that you might not be able to grab everywhere. It is for sure one of the most unconventional and unique ways to get around Chicago. The fare ranges from $6-$7 for a one-way ride.