While this is not the worst red line stop in Chicago, there are sometimes some characters around. It is, however, the perfect location for a stop, near lots of tourist points and 2 blocks from Michigan Avenue. I wouldn't recommend being there alone as a woman super early in the morning or super late at night. read more

Another CTA station, an underground one, is on Chicago Avenue. It has a whole lot to see around here. Kind of a bad atmosphere with all the homeless people but still not among the worst. Feels safer than many other stations but that's not saying a lot. There's never a long wait for trains. It has an incredibly busy location at Chicago Avenue and State Street with all the commuters and tourists coming and going. It serves the Red Line. This is between the Grand Avenue and Clark/Division stations. Inside there's kind of a bad odor and there's a few sketchy people but that's typical stuff around. There's plenty of other stations you can get to from here quickly. Has a shitload of shopping as if you didn't know. It has some fast food like McDonald's if the hipster food is too high brow for your tastes. The best thing about this station is no long waiting. read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - Station - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As soon as we walked in, it smelled bad. There was a poop smell. The service is terrible, no. Not the train ride. It is the fact that everyday when we came to this station, there was a different project being done such as fixing escalators, fixing lights, even fixing the ventra machines, there was even a pigeon on the train tracks. Which then got ran over. The trains aren't that clean, but they are mid. Over all, this station is 2 stars. read more

I love the tile work in this station! What's good: Lovely tile that has aged mostly well. The tile matches the colors in the city flag and the red stripes are a cue that this is indeed the Red Line. The font and faint skyline add wonderful touches. What's bad: Platform floors are dirty and oily looking. "This floor looks clean enough to eat off of!" had never been said here, except maybe ironically. What's silly: You're in Chicago on Chicago street heading down into Chicago station. That's a whole lot of Chicago! Chicago, Chicago, that twaddlin', er toddlin', train... Do Doo Doo Doo! Okay, I'm done here. Buh bye! read more

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I'm a huge advocate of public transit, and it's really changed for the better here in Chicago. I mean, it's always been good, but it seems to be better since the last time I was here. For starters, the red line is awesome. It runs fast, with really cool transit stations and a great schedule to boot. Some terminals are better looking then others, and the platforms are decent as well with signage. I took the red line out to see my friend and it was generally easy to use. Also, they have police at some of the bigger stations along with pay stations at some as well. Thank you Red Line! read more

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Good service because you can go , north to south very Easy, but after cermack and Chinatown , omg everything happen. Drugs dealers, homeless, garbage, etc , in 69th you can buy , cigarettes, marihuana. And the police ? Nothing to do. read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I added money to my Ventra card through the app (the website said it could not process things due to an outage). I attempted to add my card to my Google Wallet. Their system said it couldn't be done at this time. I attempted to enter the train and the card would not work and the app said I have no card now. I used my Google Wallet to get on but was charged double the fair ($5 instead of $2.50). My account shows the $10 for my adding to the card was charged but I cannot access it. I called customer service and they said I need to buy another card for $5 to have those funds transferred over. They also told me that there was a system wide issue with processing when I tried to add funds. I said my card disappearing it was their error and I shouldn't have to pay the $5 for an extra card or the extra fee. They told me it was user error, and not their error, which is false by their own admission earlier. If.yoy can void CTA do it at all costs. Metra is a much better and safer way to go! read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - Frustrating ride on the Crook Transit Authority - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The chicago (red) station is a well placed and convenient metro station in chicago when i was here the station wasn't too busy, clean, and easy to ride in my personal opinion one of the more convenient and best train stations in chicago read more

My wife said, that Chicago station reminds her of New York, because it is dirty as the subway there. Just a joke. This one is ok

Easy breezy (no pun intended since I'm reviewing public transpo in the Windy City) - this stop is actually not literally breezy ;) as it's underground. Hopped on at State to ride to Addison - $2.25 one way fair. Was there in less than 20 minutes. Clean, simple - glad my friends recommended this rather than cabbing to Wrigley Field. read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fairly easy to navigate, which is good for a non-Chicagoan. I had no problem getting into and out of downtown from the neighborhood I was staying in. It saved me bunches on parking for the day, and probably saved me a traffic-induced headache. Convenient and direct. read more

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Please, please fix the escalators...not just at this stop but at the North/Clybourn Stop as well. What about physically challenged or injured individuals (those with crutches or wheelchairs) or those with medical conditions who are unable to climb the multiple flights of stairs. I recently returned from Montreal, Canada where I utilized their subway system and it is far cleaner, more modern, and with adequate lighting I might add...the CTA really needs to address the reality of the times that we live in-which is a technologically advanced society...in most areas except for public transportation? read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - On the platform - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The red line is a great line, especially for the fact it runs 24 hours a day. It's got plenty of construction, it's got alot of stops it makes and will have even more when it expands to 135th*. You'll start far south, go through the loop area all the way up to Howard. It's at least an hour ride if you're trying to go to every stop which I did before to catch a yellow line train. Some of the people can be sketchy, you'll most likely run into a homeless person begging you for cash or sleeping on the train. They do have newer train models and rebuilt a few stops so they at least care somewhat about a few things with the red line. All this for $2.50 one way. read more

We took the CTA Red Line from Roosevelt to Clark Division. When we went to exit the train, a man stood in the door in front of me and pretended to get his foot caught. He fell into me. I wasn't initially that close to him, so when he realized that, he started to fake the fall a little more. As put my arms out to catch him a guy slightly behind and to the side of me started to reach into my purse. I put my hand down to block it and said loudly, "He's trying to take my wallet." A woman entering the train was trying to assist the guy who was pretending to have his foot stuck, then must have realized he wasn't really stuck--the look on her face was priceless. As I got around the guy because he wasn't actually exiting the train, I said again loudly that they are stealing wallets to warn the others getting on. The guy tried to make a big show of it by asking me if I was okay. I turned and looked and him and said again, "You are trying to steal wallets." Anyhow, two years ago my daughter was on the Red Line and stopped a guy from taking a wallet that when she saw him snatch it out of a purse. She grabbed it out of his hand as he was exiting the train and returned it to the woman. She thinks it might possibly have been the same guys. They work in pairs...one distracts, the other grabs wallets. My daughter lives in Chicago and seems to be able to tell when somethinglike this is about to happen. They just act strange on the train, like trying to check people out and positioning themselves in the door to block it. They strike when the train starts to get crowded. My best advice is to avoid the Red Line and take a cab, Uber or Lyft, or keep you purses, bags, backpacks in front of you if you have to ride and just be aware. read more

The red line runs North and South, and operates 24/7 which is awesome. I wish it went further south (currently ends at Dan Ryan and 95th) which is where Chinatown is. Unfortunately they are working on a lot of the lines and the red line only goes ones stop past the blue connection. Then you have to get off and take a bus. From downtown to Rogers Park it's about 40-50 minutes given slow downs from construction. I really like the red because it's easy and nothing it super far. read more

CTA - Chicago [Red] - The connecting tunnel to the blue line - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The el itself has AC. This is great! I wish the station did. It's hotter than outside. It shouldn't feel like the triangle shirtwaist factory in here (too soon?). Ugggggh fix it CTA. read more

The spine of the L. I rode it mostly from Lincoln Park all the way up to Rogers Park. You pass some incredible architecture on this line (well, you do on virtually every single line), and it seemed to be getting a ton of use. The Red Line and the Blue Line both run 24 hours a day. read more

I don't think this is the right listing, but this is actually a review for the overall CTA system, not just the red line. We were in Chicago recently for a long weekend. We currently live in St. Paul, MN and moved from Seattle. One thing I miss desperately about Seattle is the quality of public transportation (the Twin Cities are seriously lacking in public transit). This may sound strange, but something I was really looking forward to when considering a Chicago trip was being able to use quality transit again. CTA most definitely did not dissapoint! We bought a 3 day pass ($20 each) which worked for the L system, as well as all the buses. It was so easy to understand, short waits for buses, super reasonably priced, and short rides (often shorter than driving, at least according to Google Maps). For those planning a vacation to Chicago, use this!! Seriously, even if you have never used transit before, take the time to read up before hand and buy a pass, skip the hassle and cost of a rental car, truly, you will not regret it! For those who live here; do not take it for granted! Believe me, you will miss it if you leave. To Chicago; thank you for doing this right!! read more

I was actually surprised and impressed by Chicago's transportation system in general. I've been to Chicago a couple of times, but never had the pleasure of riding the "L." Coming from nyc, I have certain... standards about public transportation. Mostly that it get me from point A to point B in sufficient amount of time, and that it's available and accessible. My fiancee and I were staying only blocks from the Red line, and were planning on going into downtown chicago and US cellular park, and were not planning on renting a car until we left Chicago, so the Red line would be our main source of transportation other than our legs. We got to the train station and the metro card machines. I was initially a little annoyed that we needed to purchase either a one day pass or a three day pass, what if I only needed a two day? Well, the three day pass ended up being awesome, and while I think we only used it once on day three, between two days it was totally worth it. We were able to go ALL over the city, which paying per a ride, or paying for two, one day passes would have been a lot more expensive. The subway system was SUPER easy to navigate. The stations were were actually really clean. Weird leaky water from the ceiling? no. Smell of pee? nope. Garbage? no. Same went for the trains. Super clean. The inside did look like a bus though, right down to the seats. The announcements not only told you the next stop, but which side the doors opened on. And no delays! MTA, take notes! read more

This is a pretty busy/popular stop. Enter off of Chicago and State in front of the McDonald's. Enter or exit on the north or south sides of Chicago Avenue. From here you can take the Red Line north or south via this under ground station. Not much more to add. I saw some people jump the turnstiles here. Doesn't smell too bad. Only had a few street performers. read more

What's up with the standing on the escalator, people? It ain't a fuckin' amusement park ride. Move it or take the elevator. read more

I'm a Monday through Friday Red Line Rider. Yes, it could be a lot cleaner! But this is a Shout Out to the driver of Run 907 -- he is absolutely The Best! He announced today that his run's name is changing to 903 after he returns from vacation next week. When I get on his train every morning, it makes my day. You know this guy! He's the one who thanks everyone for riding 'the C-T-AAAAAAAAAA Red Line!' read more

The elevators are used as urinals. God help the folks in wheelchairs (or the parents pushing strollers). This line ranks as one of the filthiest imaginable, and is worse than trains I've ridden in the 3rd world. A real embarrassment for Chicago. read more

Very convenient line ( transportation wise ) but still need a lot of work, sometimes it's even scary to ride the redline .. anyway I'm reviewing route 907 from howard to 95th , the train driver bring the smile to everyone on board,very nice and encouraging he always says( welcome to ctaaaaa redline, students stay focus, keep reminding about personal items..etc) i hope he can read my review to thank him. read more

Public transportation sucks. Let's get that out of the way. See my review of the Orange Line. However, the red line is absolutely atrocious. Where do I start? I have seen a fight almost break out because a panhandler thought a passenger was trying to trip him. I have seen a cup and ball game scam. I have heard of passengers performing lewd acts on each other. The delays at night are unacceptable. If you're unlucky you can wait anywhere from 10-20 minutes on the Grand stop because the train is operating single track. The operator always says the same thing, "We'll be moving shortly." Sometimes passengers are (rightfully) upset. Some have the graveyard shift and it is unfair that the CTA is taking years to perform repairs. The new cars are pathetic. This is Chicago, not New York. Whoever thought of the design of the new cars should be fired. Some passengers sleep, taking up 3-4 seats. read more

One of the bigger Red Line stops since it expands over both sides of an intersection, for the unfamiliar this is a slightly more disorienting stop to figure out where you will emerge above ground. Since it is very close to the main tourist drags it is usually quite crowded on the weekends and rush hours, with the slow/confused factor from visitors really slowing down the commute when you just want to get out. Medium quality between the old and newly renovated stops. read more

Seems like most days construction is occurring somewhere along this rickety old train system. Dirty, pan-handlers abound, and feels like a mobile homeless shelter. read more

The Red Line is great for commuting. It is fast and has lots of trains rush hour plus it is a 24 hour line. The "903" route conductor in the morning rocks too! read more

I don't like it. Small, claustrophobic, and dim. Feels like a play intermission, when people aren't sure if it's okay to talk or not. Dreary, grim, little staff....sends off a Twilight Zone vibe where in this day and age, the twist wouldn't be so simple :/ read more

This is a gross stop that I had the privilege of frequenting over the last 5 years and I'm really happy I'll never have to set foot in it again in a short few months. read more

I love the Red Line! I live in South Loop and work in Northwestern Medical campus, so I take the Roosevelt stop up to Chicago and walk a couple blocks over. If I were to take an Uber or bus it would take at least 40 minutes with rush hour, but this way it's 20 minutes door to door. The app that tells you the train times is also very accurate, and lets me know when to leave my apt exactly. read more

The Red line was the only train I had to ride while in Chicago. It's not great, it's not terrible. As a visitor it is probably the easiest of the lines to understand as it is pretty much a straight line and takes you right downtown to where all the touristy things are. It gets you from point A to point B pretty quickly. Honestly any of the stops I used were exactly what you would expect, not too clean. read more

This is probably one cleaniest and least smelly CTA Red Line stop, next to the Belmont stop. They have several immenities such as fare card purchase machines and reloading your fare card with a credit card. This is a pretty popular and busy stop during the summer time. read more

Has an elevator and escalators, nicely redone a few years back, good subway station.

Everytime I choose to take the northbound red line instead of waiting for the purple line (which is 15 minutes later), I always end up in a stalled train at Jarvis Ave stop, watching the same purple line train make it to Howard station ahead of us. I was at the front car watching 3 trains needing to pull in at Howard station. 10 minutes waiting at Jarvis station. And when you finally pull in at Howard, the train operator does not even have the courtesy to announce that he is pulling in at the southbound track, meaning you have to go down the stairs walk across and up the stairs to northbound track. This happened last night way past rush hour, around 7:45 p.m. What gives here? Fix this! read more

It's a red line station. It has trains. It has turnstiles. It has ticket machines. Not really sure what you expect, it's a freaking train station. The station is always dirty, and some others are newer, but it does a great job at allowing you to get on and off the trains. Just be wary of the McDonald's at the corner by the street entrance. Be VERY careful at night or if alone. That restaurant sees a lot of bad activity, but always play it safe!!! read more

This review has nothing to do with the biggest factor when deciding to ride to take the Redline or not. Most people only care if it gets you where you want to go in a timely fashion. For the most part it does and I am grateful for it. Today I was on my usual 5-stop trip home from work and at Lake St two conductors leave the front car to inspect what I first thought was an unruly passenger. After the doors to all the cars stayed open for an extended period of time an acrid smell of diesel burning wafted into the cars further to the front. After 1 or 2 minutes half the riders exited the train. I stepped onto the platform to see if I could identify the source of the stench. A few minutes later the conductors returned from the back of the car. I asked if the train was in or out-of-service. The train kept going but my complaint is that we(passengers) weren't made aware of the situation, no generic mechanized recording, nothing. Had there been a real emergency I doubt there'd be any assistance in terms of awareness. Never mind if you were being attacked. You better be prepared to defend yourself because from what I've seen the CTA employees wouldn't lift a finger to save a car full of burning riders. read more