My husband and I took the L train during our weeklong stay in Chicago. Grand is an underground train station run by the CTA. It's on the Red line, which is one of the lines that runs 24/7. Grand station was the closest to the hotel where we stayed, so we often went to this one whenever we traveled to further neighborhoods in the city. It's a busy station and very reminiscent of the NYC subway. read more

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The CTA in Chicago in general is pretty good for getting around, especially to and from the airport in my opinion. I think it's slightly nicer than the NYC subway, but not by much. The platforms really look similar, and are pretty easy to navigate. There is usually a staff member in the help booth and they're pretty nice if you're confused (I had to ask one of them a question the first time I rode the CTA). Overall, I think the number of stops/lines available is pretty good; it's not quite as good as NYC or other countries e.g. Seoul, SK -- but if you're staying downtown for instance, you can get around pretty easily and to/from the airport with minimal walking to get to a nearby station and either connect to or go direct to the airport. I'm very glad the CTA is available as an option for visitors and folks who live here since parking is paid almost everywhere, and definitely limited (especially downtown!). read more

Enjoy the experience of riding the trains and subways of cities I visit, and always compare them to Japan Aside from the line that travel to and from the airport, the other lines were not very clean, and in the evening they were filled with shady characters, and creepy crawlers with two legs. read more

CTA - Grand-Red - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You know what's really fantastic? Intelligent design! For example, this station's stairwells have little ramps on the sides to make it easier to bring a bicycle into the station, without having to carry it awkwardly - bonus for those who have heavier bikes, or less upper body strength. However, if instead of a bike you're carrying a cartful of groceries, or need to avoid stairs for any other reason, the station is fully accessible with elevators. There's a lot more to love: The station is very easy to navigate, with large, abundantly clear signage to help you find the right train direction. Bonus points for whoever thought to put the departure screens just outside the stairwells to platform level, with only departures in that direction. It is also aesthetically very pleasing, across the board. The ceilings are high, and feature tiled mosaics. There is also a large silhouette of the skyline behind glass tiles. Even the floor of the main level contains a simple, yet thought-out design: rays before the gates and a compass rose after. All throughout, the station is well lit and clean. The platform level is more utilitarian, but still maintains the themes of being well lit, relatively clean, and having some tiled designs on the back wall. Final verdict: CTA stations are usually small, narrow, and in need of a power wash and elbow grease, if not also a lighting upgrade. CTA's Grand Red Line Station needs none of the above, and is one of my favorite stations in the system! read more

Not a good experience for such a centrally located and extensively used CTA station. I've had multiple times feeling unsafe here and you need to have a law enforcement presence permanently on the platform. Service is spotty and needs to improve. read more

A bit seedy. I wish they'd have more of a law enforcement presence on the platforms. Might curtail some of the sketchiness that tends to happen in these sorts of places. read more

CTA has a station at Grand. It has a good location. Many places to eat and shop. A bad thing is the lack of cleanliness. There's also some shady characters around here. It may be pretty ordinary but the location is the best thing about it. It serves the Red Line. This is in the popular River North. Lots to do around here. The station also is a lot nicer than many others. It however is often dirty. This is a result if it being so busy so it's not as bad as it seems. An annoying thing is getting past the shady characters. It seems to attract a lot. These people are apparently here to get change from the many tourists. read more

CTA - Grand-Red - Station - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a Grand station! This downtown middle of the River North neighborhood CTA stop isn't so bad. It checks off all the right boxes- it's a handicapped accessible stop, with nice elevators and will get you to wherever you need to go. There's some pretty little elements to this station that are nice- good looking architectural details on the railings, walls, and lights that they didn't need to put in, but did anyway. The staff here was pleasant, and one morning when I went that the whole subway platform and elevators smelled like Pine-sol. There's thoughtful advertising all over, but it's always tasteful. The signage is pretty good throughout the station. Most of the CTA stations are above ground or elevated, but this is one of the few that's completely subterranean. read more

After living in many different cities - Chicago knows public transportation better than anyone (never been to NY, sorry if I offend! This line runs 24 hours a day which accommodates people who work second or third shift and was across the street from my first condo and it arrives on-time, speeds you faster than traffic and has taken me to many a Cub's game. We also took the one on Wells if we were leaving from work to attend a the game - I miss the bus line that shows up on time. I've taken the Orange Line from downtown to Midway airport several times which takes about 20 minutes. read more

It is ok. Regular station, not super narrow as others. Not sure what to say more. CTA

This station is one of 9 underground stations on both the red and blue lines. It's a great station and if you were looking forward to nyc's subways but never got to them this is basically that but Chicago! Ps: Red and blue lines are underground, purple, yellow, pink, brown, orange, and green lines are always above ground. While the Blue and red lines turn into some sort of subway in the city/ Downtown area when the skyscrapers start. Riding the Chicago subway is key to a full Chicago experienced trip!! read more

Gateway to the River North area, large station so you never are packed in. Enough turn-styles to get in and out. Only drawback, it seems one or more of the escalators always seems to be out of order, no issue for me I usually huff it up or down. The issue is people then start using the same one going up/down and it ends up being a traffic jam. read more

CTA - Grand-Red - Going south red line - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredibly easy to use - one of the most important parts of an El stop, for me. The location is fantastic and so central to River North. The station is laid out pretty well, not too crowded (plus clear signage!), which means plenty of space for the Ventra machines' lines...and confused tourists. Of course, the red/purple/blue neon is a bit dated, but any CTA station that tries to go beyond depressing functionality (Clark/Division, et. al, listen up!) is appreciated. However many complaints the CTA gets, this station is easy to use and doesn't look too bad in its gussied up state! read more

I've gotten off at this station a couple of times., mainly to go to navy pier or shop around town. It's a decent station, the tiling throughout the station is beautiful even though it's super old. There are multiple entrances/exits that are on a particular side of the street. There's a bunch of ventra machines too so you're not stuck waiting for the next person to finish using the machine. read more

As far as CTA stops go, this is pretty average. This one is located pretty centrally in river north, so pretty heavily used by the tourists around. It smells dirty, like the average CTA station. There aren't any bathrooms that I've seen. It gets incredibly hot down at the platform especially while wearing a coat during winter. Only the red line is services here. 2 stars mainly because of how dirty it is. I still think el is one of the best ways to get around Chicago; I use it all the time, but I would never want to spend a lot of time at this stop. read more

***Most CTA stations are above ground, but this one is underground and it is quick getting to the track as well as getting to the street; this station lets out to the lively River North area and is very close to Michigan Avenue; like other CTA stations, this train is a quick, inexpensive and convenient way to get around the city*** I am not sure what the parking situation is around here. read more

I'm writing this review for all the older people, people with a disability and those great guest that visit Chicago and have luggage. It's done the Grand and Red line stop is now renovated and updated to accompany those of us that have trouble walking up a lot of stairs. Our wonderful CTA added escalator's as well elevator's that is awesome so now its more accessible to the street level where you have an abundance of restaurant's, shopping, and hotel's read more

CTA - Grand-Red - Grand and State Redline - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've lived right on the Grand Red Line station for about 3 years now and the construction that has been going on since before I moved here is finally completed. The station is much larger, cleaner, more accessible for elderly/handicapped and flows people much better of course than the past 3-4 years of construction. It's also a very safe station/area. The location of the stop brings your right to River North area and only a few blocks from Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier. read more

This CTA station is conveniently located in downtown Chicago. Its underground, so cell phone service can be spotty, but its insulated from the cold of Chiberia. There are often street artists singing covers of popular songs and playing instruments. There is also maps near the train tracks with information about historical attractions. For fares, there are multiple Ventra card machines to purchase a Ventra card, and there are several staff on hand to help with any difficulties. There are often police officers patrolling the area inside and outside. Overall, this location is convenient, but can be very crowded. read more

Not even remotely on time. Be prepared to consistently wait well after expected arrival time

When will the construction be done?! Its always damp and cold down here. scary... WAAaaaaaa :'( read more

Elevators. Escalators. Stairs. Great stop right in the middle of all the fun stuff in Chicago! CTA workers here are also really nice and helpful with directions. read more

One of the cleaner and more open CTA stations. This location has an inviting display for its Red Line directional map. Bright lights and big signs are evident and clear. Come here if you want to show the out of towners a nicer CTA stop. read more

I'll update the review once they're done rehabbing it, but during the rehab it's definitely not great. Two stars because it's near good places, though. read more

I came in to a CTA officer chanting on the intercom about God and life...ok...I seen caution tape on the Howard side and asked someone what was going on and he shrugs...ok...then I ask the woman what we should do...she begins speaking but u can't understand over the intercom...I ask again...she says that if we were smart people we could figure it out...I begin to go down the stairs but decide to take an uber...then she has the balls to say that I'm going in circles and she knows I'm a smart man and can figure it out on my own. If you are going to work with people then get a personality!!! Bitch. By the way this was at 1:35 am on Saturday Jan 9th...we weren't drunk but confused asshole read more