Skip to content
Pace logo
  • Ride Pace
    Bus Tracker
    Trip Planner
    Routes & Schedules
    • Alerts & Notices
      • Alerts & Notices
    • Bus Services
      • Bus Services
      • Bus Tracker Tools
      • Express to Events
      • Expressway Routes
      • Getting to the Airport
      • Pulse
      • Routes, Schedules & Maps
      • Transit Centers & Park-n-Rides
      • Trip Planner
    • Fares & Passes
      • Fares & Passes
      • Buy ADA Paratransit Tickets
      • Reduced Fare
      • Sales Locations
      • Student Passes
      • Ventra Card & App
    • Passenger Facilities
    • Reservation-Based & Other Services
      • Reservation-Based & Other Services
      • ADA Paratransit & TAP
      • Dial-a-Ride
      • On Demand
      • RideShare Matching
      • Vanpool
    • Rider Resources
      • Rider Resources
      • ADA Paratransit Service Guides
      • Bikes on Buses
      • Bus Stop Policy
      • Passenger Safety
      • Shelters & Amentities
      • System Maps
      • Transit App (Trip Planning Tool)
  • Inside Pace
    Customer Service
    Doing Business
    Careers
    • About
      • About
      • Board of Directors
      • Employment
      • Locations
      • Citizens Advisory Board
      • ADA Advisory Committees
    • Data & Transparency
      • Data & Transparency
      • Budget Documents
      • Financial Reports
      • Freedom of Information
      • GTFS Data
      • Performance Metrics
      • Ethics Policy
    • Doing Business
      • Doing Business
      • Advertising Opportunities
      • Awarded Contracts
      • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
      • iSupplier Portal
      • Transit Supportive Development Guidelines
      • Anticipated Procurement Opportunities
      • Guide to Doing Business with Pace
      • Open Solicitations
      • Bid Results
    • Events
      • Public meetings
    • Contact Pace
      • Contact Pace
      • Customer Service
      • Customer Survey
      • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
      • Media Inquiries
      • Contact Directory
    • News
    • Policies & Legal Notices
      • Policies & Legal Notices
      • Equal Employment Opportunity
      • Public Hearings
      • Section 608
      • Title VI
    • Projects & Studies
      • Projects & Studies
      • I-290 / I-88 Express Bus Study
      • Driving Innovation Plan
      • Far South Halsted Corridor Study
      • ReVision Network Restructuring Project
      • Zero Emissions Project
    • Public Meetings
  • Contact Us
  • For New Riders
  • For Riders with Disabilities
  • For Visiting Riders

Information for Visitors to Chicagoland

riders boarding a Pace bus at Woodfield Mall

Chicago and the surrounding suburbs comprise one of the world's best places to visit--and you don't need a rental car to get around! Our combination of a world-class public transportation network and the snarling traffic on our highways make the use of public transit an easy choice for residents and visitors alike.

To and from airports

Pace and our sister agencies--CTA and Metra--have bus and train service to and from both Chicago airports. Save a bunch of money and hassle by taking public transportation instead of a car rental or ride hailing service, and use that money on some of our amazing attractions!

See details about the routes serving airports.

Plan your travel

Not sure how to get to your destination on public transit? Plan your trip here, or on google transit.

Pace buses conveniently serve most of Chicagoland's most popular tourist destinations, including hotels, shopping malls, Brookfield Zoo, concert and sporting venues, and even Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. Find out which route gets you there!

Paying your fare

Ventra is the fare payment system for Chicagoland public transit. Short-term visitors can choose to buy a Ventra Card for $5 (which you can then load with transit value or passes), or by paying cash each time you board the bus. Please note that cash payments require exact change and come with a $0.25 surcharge per ride.

You can get a Ventra Card online or at one of our vending machines. Learn more about using Ventra or all the available passes.

Express Routes to Popular Destinations

Chicago is known as a great city for attending sporting events, and Pace is a great way to get you to those events. Pace operates many express routes to stadiums and other popular destinations, which is a great way to avoid high parking costs and traffic hassles. Cheer on your favorite team or band with a convenient ride to and from the event on a Pace express bus.

People with Disabilities Visiting the City of Chicago and Suburbs

Pace will provide ADA Paratransit Service for visitors with disabilities who reside outside the six-county RTA service area. Out-of-town visitors should request eligibility for Pace ADA Paratransit Service at least 7 days before the first desired day of travel.

  • Visitors who already have ADA paratransit eligibility from another transit agency need to contact Pace and provide proof of eligibility, such as a valid ADA Paratransit ID card or a letter from the transit agency that certified the person’s ADA paratransit eligibility.
  • Visitors who do not have ADA paratransit eligibility with another transit agency must provide documentation of place of residence (such as a driver’s license or state ID card) and a statement that they have a disability and are unable to use fixed route service. Additional documentation may be required if the disability is not apparent.

Once registered with Pace, visitors will be able to use the service for any combination of 21 days during a 365-day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service. Visitors wishing to use ADA Paratransit service for more than 21 days during a 365-day period must apply and be found eligible for ADA Paratransit through the RTA’s ADA Paratransit Certification Program. For more information about ADA Paratransit visitor eligibility, please contact Pace at: 312-341-8000 or by email at ada.paratransit.visitor@pacebus.com. 

Sign up for Email or Text Alerts

Sign up now
  • Alerts & Notices
  • Bus Routes, Schedules and Maps
    • Trip Planner
    • Pulse Rapid Transit
    • Bus Tracker
  • Reservation-Based and Other Services
    • ADA Paratransit Services
    • On Demand
    • Vanpool
    • Community Vehicle Programs
  • Schedules
  • Rider Guide/Rider FAQs
  • Maps
    • On Demand Zones
    • Dial-A-Ride Zones
    • Park-n-Ride Locations
    • System Maps
    • Transit Center Locations
  • Riders with Disabilities
  • Fares & Passes
    • Pay with Ventra
    • Reduced Fare
    • Buy ADA Paratransit Tickets
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Office Locations
  • Customer Service
    • Customer Service Form
    • Directory
  • Employment
  • News
  • Open Data & Transparency
    • Freedom of Information
  • Policies & Legal Notices
  • Projects & Studies
  • Doing Business with Pace
    • Advertising Opportunities
    • Awarded Contracts
    • Contracting Opportunities
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • Report website issues

Facebook icon Twitter icon YouTube icon Instagram icon NextDoor iconLinkedIn icon

© Copyright Pace Suburban Bus | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Sitemap