CTA 3 Day Fun Pass - Is this good? X-post from CS...

[Chefbeckyd]

We are staying at the McCormick Hyatt - and were planning on taking a shuttle to one of the other hotels, and then taxi's back to our hotel....but then I found this deal, and checked, and the No. 3 CTA Bus stops right in front of the hotel, and goes to all the places we'd like to go - Michigan Ave, etc...

For those more familiar with traveling around Chicago - is this a good way to go? Is the bus system safe in the evening? (Sorry if that's a stupid question - but it's coming from someone completely unfamiliar with public transit!)



ETA: This was in a review about getting around from the McCormick Hyatt:

we recomment that patrons take the CTA bus vs. the El for getting to/from the Loop. The #3 stops right in front of the hotel and takes you up and down North Michigan Ave. by Grant Park and the Magnificent Mile.
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[DebbieJ]

The bus is totally safe. One year when the CS meet up was at the Sheraton, I took the bus back to the Hilton in the wee hours of the morning and was fine.

Granted, I am a city girl and am comfortable with this. I grew up here in Chicagoland, hung out in the city A LOT after college, lived in Los Angeles for 6 years, worked at a public school in LA located in a "barrio"....so your comfort level might be different than mine.

[Chefbeckyd]

I'd be with a group...and there's safety in numbers!

Okay - so another question...are the buses clearly marked for people who don't know where they are going? I mean - will we be able to find a bus back to the McCormick when we want to head back? (don't laugh!)

[finley1991]

Granted, I am a city girl and am comfortable with this. I grew up here in Chicagoland, hung out in the city A LOT after college, lived in Los Angeles for 6 years, worked at a public school in LA located in a "barrio"....so your comfort level might be different than mine.

Too cool! I lived in LA too after college for 8 years! :)

[DebbieJ]

Too cool! I lived in LA too after college for 8 years! :)

Yes, remember I went to CSUN for grad school? And you just recently gave up your 818 #. :D

[DebbieJ]

I'd be with a group...and there's safety in numbers!

Okay - so another question...are the buses clearly marked for people who don't know where they are going? I mean - will we be able to find a bus back to the McCormick when we want to head back? (don't laugh!)

I would research the bus route #s before you leave. www.transitchicago.com. Just look for your number and know where the stops are. The bus stops are marked on the streets with numbers and a short description and you can always ask the bus driver (although some are nicer than others).

[Chefbeckyd]

Thanks Deb, that was exactly what I needed to know.

[finley1991]

Yes, remember I went to CSUN for grad school? And you just recently gave up your 818 #. :D

As soon as I wrote that I remembered!!!! :D

[DebbieJ]

I just found this: http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/how_to_guides/ridingthebus.aspx

[DebbieJ]

and here is a what a bus stop sign looks like. If that stop is served by more than one route, there will be multiple numbers on the sign.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2621762391_43d78f5d6d.jpg