Ways to Pay

Where to buy fares, in person

Ventra Vending Machines (Cash, coins and cards accepted)

You can buy new Ventra Cards and disposable Single-Ride or 1-Day Ventra Tickets from every Ventra Vending Machine.

You can load transit value (for regular fares, deducted from your transit value balance as you ride) or passes onto Ventra Cards and contactless bankcards.

Ventra Vending Machines (VVMs) are available at all 'L' (train) stations and at CTA's general offices at 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago.

VVMs are also located at these five sites:

  • Chicago Union Station (Metra, Amtrak)
  • Ogilvie Transportation Center (Metra)
  • Millennium Station (Metra, South Shore Line)
  • Navy Pier
  • Museum of Science & Industry

 
Learn more about Fares

Ventra retail locations

You can buy new Ventra Cards, load transit value (for regular fares) or passes onto Ventra Cards right over the counter at over 1,000 retail locations, including drug stores and Currency Exchanges, around town. Payment types accepted vary by retailer. See Ventra Retailers to find a location.

System status snapshot
‘L’ route status
Red Line
Normal Service
Blue Line
Normal Service
Green Line
Normal Service
Orange Line
Normal Service
Pink Line
Normal Service
Purple Line
Normal Service
Yellow Line
Normal Service
Bus routes w/alerts
Elevator alerts