Chicago is right after New York City and LA in size, so there's no way you could enjoy it on foot. However, if you don't want the added responsibility of a rental car and the extra stress of dealing with traffic in such a huge city, there are options.
First, the city is walkable and has lots of pedestrian-friendly streets where you can enjoy the view while taking a stroll. But if you want to cover larger distances, there's always the public transportation system.
How to make the most of your Chicago trip without renting a car
Here's what you need to know about getting around Chicago without a car.
Can you manage without a rental?
If you plan on only visiting downtown Chicago, you don't have to worry about getting a car. On the other hand, if you plan on venturing on trips around Windy City or even further, you may do best with a car.
There are still trains that will take you to most locations (check out the Amtrak to New York), but you'll be dependent on their schedule, and the journey is usually longer. In a nutshell, if you don't plan on venturing into areas without access to public transportation, there's no need to worry about adding a car to your trip.
The only time when you may want to splurge a bit is from the airport and into the city. While most travel gurus teach us that, in order to travel comfortably, you have to pack light, we don't always follow the advice, right? So, if your luggage is too big for comfort, you can use the car service to O'Hare airport (and from it).
Use ride-sharing services
The first that come to mind are Uber and Lyft, but there are other services you can use. Just make sure you know which one you want to use beforehand because you'll have to install the app and create an account (on most of them, at least).
In all fairness, ride-sharing is more expensive than public transportation, but it's also a lot more flexible. You don't have to take three buses and one tram to get to your destination. You just hop in and let the driver take you where you want to go.
The "L" Train
Also known as the El (from Elevated Train) but mostly referred to as the L, this is a line that's heavily used by the locals. And, if you plan on staying for a few days, you should try and see if you have it nearby as well.
It's affordable and reliable, and it operates pretty much the same as the New York City subway system. Plus, even though it's called the elevated train, there are areas where it goes below street level, so your journey is going to be quite interesting.
The L also goes by every 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the line, so you don't have to wait too long if you miss one.
CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
Chicago has a complex system of trains and buses reaching most parts of the city. Plus, you'll enjoy Chicago at its fullest since most of its inhabitants don't own a vehicle and rely on public transportation to get to and from work.
Overall, the CTA is good enough for moving about the city, getting to know its neighborhoods, and exploring even its less shiny sides. And when you get bored of riding the bus or the train, you can take a walk to clear your mind and feel the pulse of the city.
Unless you plan on roaming around the outskirts of Chicago, you don't need a rental car while visiting. Everything worth seeing and exploring is within reach of the public transportation system, which is affordable, clean, and reliable.
Have you ever tried getting around Chicago without a car? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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