CTA and Metra offer convenient bus and rail service to McCormick Place for the Auto Show
CHICAGO (Feb. 2, 2026) Planning to spend a day at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show seeing the hottest new vehicles coming to market? Well, we have the quickest and most hassle-free ways to get you there – CTA and Metra!
Metra and CTA have teamed up to make getting to and from the show as easy as possible via both train and bus. The Auto Show runs from Saturday, Feb. 7, through Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at McCormick Place. The show features car displays, cutting-edge vehicle technologies, and multiple indoor test tracks and outdoor rides and drives.
By CTA Train
The Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station is located within walking distance, west of McCormick Place. Customers can connect to the Green Line via multiple rail lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Brown and Pink lines), with free transfers at multiple locations. The CTA will have signage directing customers where to transfer and exit.
By Metra Rail
Metra Electric Line trains will be making extra stops at the McCormick Place Station for the duration of the show. For the full schedule, go to metra.com. Metra riders on rail lines that arrive at Chicago Union Station, LaSalle Street Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center can board the CTA’s Auto Show shuttle buses for direct service to McCormick Place (see below).
By CTA Bus
McCormick Place is served by the #3 King Drive and the #21 Cermak routes.
Special CTA Auto Show Shuttle Bus
CTA’s Auto Show shuttle bus to McCormick Place provides a fast ride to and from the event, connecting from:
- Union Station (Southbound on Clinton at Quincy or Eastbound on Jackson at Canal, Stop A)
- Ogilvie Transportation Center (Southbound on Clinton at Madison, Stop L)
- LaSalle Street Station (Eastbound on Jackson at Financial Place, Stop B)
- Museum Campus/11th St. Station (Southbound on Columbus at 11th Street)
For Metra riders taking Metra to downtown, the bus will depart every 15 to 20 minutes from:
- 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, February 7, and Monday, February 9 to Sunday, February 15
- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, February 8
- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, February 16
Signs on the buses will indicate “To Auto Show McCormick Place” or “Metra Stations/Via Downtown.” The shuttle bus fare is $2.25.
More Auto Show, Less Fare
A reminder to all customers, especially suburban car enthusiasts: CTA and Metra are an even more economical and affordable option to travel to the Auto Show. The agencies now offer a Regional Day Pass, good for unlimited travel on CTA buses and trains and between your selected zones on Metra trains. The Regional Day Pass must be purchased with the Ventra app, and requires a Ventra cards to be registered in the app. It costs $2.50 more than the regular Metra Day Pass (see below).
CTA Fares
Customers can save money by purchasing an unlimited ride pass from CTA. Good choices for Auto Show visitors include:
- 1-day/24-hour pass: $5
- 3-day/72-hour pass: $15
- 7-day pass: $20
Metra Weekday Fares
- Metra offers a weekday Day Pass priced at twice the cost of a One-Way Ticket and valid for unlimited rides for a single day within the zones selected. Day Passes are available for purchase at ticket vending machines and on the Ventra app.
- Children ages 7 to 11 are eligible for 50% off the price of regular One-Way fares. Children under 7 ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to three children free per adult).
Metra Weekend Fares
- The $10 Weekend Pass (available on the Ventra app only) is good for unlimited travel on Metra on both Saturday and Sunday.
- The $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Pass is good for unlimited rides either on Saturday or Sunday. The pass is available for purchase from ticket vending machines, conductors, or the Ventra app.
- Ventra app users who also possess a Ventra card can upgrade their Saturday or Sunday Day Pass to a Regional Day Pass for only $2.50 more. The Regional Day Pass is good for unlimited travel on CTA and Pace and Metra.
- And don’t forget about Metra’s Family Fares, which allow up to three children 11 and under to ride free on weekends with each fare-paying adult.
Know before you go!
The CTA and Metra strongly recommend that customers plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and purchase fares in advance.
Fare payment options on CTA: We offer a variety of convenient payment options—from smart devices to contactless credit cards. Learn more about payment options and ways you can maximize your dollars with our lower-priced unlimited-ride passes by visiting: transitchicago.com/fares/
Stay in the loop on CTA service changes and alerts by subscribing to CTA Updates. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
For the latest information on Metra service, follow your Metra line on Twitter (@Metra) or view service alerts for your line at metra.com. Or call Metra Customer Service at 312-MY-METRA (312-696-3872) or the RTA Travel Information Center at 312-836-7000.
To plan your Auto Show visit, please visit metra.com or transitchicago.com. Also, please see map below for Auto Show shuttle bus.
About Metra
Metra is an essential resource that safely and reliably connects individuals to the things
that matter most in their lives — their work, their homes and their families.
Connect with Metra: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | metrarail.com
About CTA
The CTA operates the nation's second largest public transportation system and covers the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs.
Connect with CTA: Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | transitchicago.com
