Transport: Chicago has the largest public transportation system in the
country and getting around the city is fast, easy and inexpensive,
with an extensive network of rapid transit trains and buses. The
train system has both underground lines and elevated tracks above
the city and is known as the El; most visitors only use the El, but
buses also cover every part of the city including the suburbs,
albeit less regularly. Most train lines run 24 hours a day, with
Overnight or Night Owl services taking over between midnight and
5am, though only on some lines. The Metra commuter trains link the
city to the outer suburbs, including Lake Michigan, Hyde Park and
McCormick Place. Fares for the bus, subway and the El are standard,
and a variety of visitor passes are available offering more
economical travel. During the summer months, a free trolley system
operates in the downtown area, connecting Chicago's top cultural
attractions, shopping areas and visitor destinations. Taxis are
easy to find, and the metered rates are reasonable for short
journeys. Although traffic is not as bad as in other major cities
(outside rush hour), parking is expensive and difficult to
find.
