Find the Right CTA Bus, Stop and Departure Time
Chicago Transit Authority bus service covers hundreds of neighborhoods, rail stations, employment centers, hospitals, universities and visitor destinations. Instead of relying on one citywide timetable, riders need to identify the route number, direction, stop and service day first.
Use this guide to find CTA bus schedules, first and last service, route maps, fares, Bus Tracker predictions, overnight Owl routes, service alerts and accessible travel information without decoding several different pages.
How Chicago Bus Schedules Work
CTA does not publish one universal departure table for every Chicago bus. Each route has its own schedule page, directions, stop list, first and last terminal departures, route map and alerts.
How to Find Your CTA Bus Schedule
Search current bus route information by route number or route name.
Open CTA schedulesUseful when you know where you are starting and where you want to go but not the route number.
Open CTA trip planningUseful for understanding corridors, nearby rail stations and possible transfers.
Open CTA system mapHow to Read CTA Bus Times Correctly
CTA route pages normally separate weekday, Saturday and Sunday service. Some routes operate around the clock, some stop around midnight, some are rush-hour only, and some have seasonal or school-related variations.
| Route example | Direction / segment | Published service span | Rider takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Halsted | Halsted/79th → Broadway/Waveland | About 4:05 AM–12:30 AM weekdays | Long service day, but not a universal 24-hour route. |
| 12 Roosevelt | Central/Harrison → 16th/Indiana | About 4:05 AM–12:30 AM weekdays | Check your stop because terminal departure is not your boarding time. |
| 22 Clark | Howard ↔ Clark/Harrison | All times | Owl/overnight service is available. |
| 29 State | 95th/Dan Ryan → Navy Pier | About 4:00 AM–11:30 PM daily | Return-direction service extends later. |
| 49 Western | Western/79th ↔ Western/Berwyn | All times | This core segment operates around the clock. |
| 66 Chicago | Chicago/Austin → Navy Pier | About 3:55 AM–11:50 PM weekdays | Overnight Owl trips use a shorter overnight pattern. |
| 77 Belmont | Belmont/Harlem ↔ Belmont/Halsted | All times | Other Route 77 branches have different spans. |
| 87 87th | 87th/Dan Ryan ↔ 87th/Western | All times | Additional eastern/western segments follow different schedules. |
Common CTA Bus Corridors Riders Often Search
Chicago has many CTA bus routes. These examples show how the route-number system works and give quick links to several heavily used corridors. They are not a complete route list.
Halsted
Long north–south corridor connecting the South Side, UIC-Halsted area, Near North Side and Lakeview.
Roosevelt
Major east–west route serving Roosevelt Road and connections with Red, Green and Orange Line service.
Clark
North–south service between Howard and downtown with overnight Owl service available.
State
Connects 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line with the State Street corridor and Navy Pier.
Western
Major north–south Western Avenue route with all-times service on a core segment.
Chicago
Chicago Avenue corridor from the West Side toward downtown and Navy Pier, with overnight service on part of the route.
Belmont
Major east–west Belmont Avenue service with multiple service patterns and overnight coverage on a core segment.
87th
East–west South Side route with 24-hour service between 87th/Dan Ryan and 87th/Western.
Chicago Bus Fare and Payment
CTA’s current fare chart lists a regular bus fare of $2.25 when deducted from a Ventra Transit Account or paid using eligible contactless pay-as-you-go. Paying cash directly on the bus farebox costs $2.50 and does not include transfers.
Eligible transfers include up to two additional rides within two hours.
CTA states that transfers are not available when paying the bus fare directly with cash.
Useful when several CTA/Pace rides are planned on the same day.
Often practical for short visits with frequent transit use.
Check Ventra for loading and activation rules.
Reduced-fare programs have separate eligibility and pricing rules.
How to Use CTA Bus Tracker
Bus Tracker provides near-real-time bus locations and estimated arrival times. CTA explains that buses report their position using GPS. Predictions can still change when a bus is delayed, rerouted or stops transmitting location data.
CTA Frequent Network: Routes With Added Service
CTA’s Frequent Network program is increasing service on selected bus corridors. The agency lists improvements on routes including #4 Cottage Grove, #9 Ashland, #12 Roosevelt, #20 Madison, #35 31st/35th, #49 Western, #53 Pulaski, #60 Blue Island/26th, #63 63rd, #66 Chicago, #72 North, #74 Fullerton, #77 Belmont, #82 Kimball/Homan, #85 Central and #95 95th, among others.
CTA Overnight “Owl” Bus Service
Several CTA bus routes continue overnight or operate an overnight route pattern. The exact terminal can differ from daytime service, so late-night riders should verify both the route number and the overnight destination.
Check Bus Reroutes and Stop Changes Before Leaving
CTA’s system currently shows a systemwide notice that updated schedules took effect on some bus routes beginning August 23, 2026. The CTA schedule/status page also lists many individual routes with active or upcoming alerts, so a saved timetable alone is not enough for same-day travel.
Use the CTA System Map to Understand Transfers
The CTA web-based system map is often more useful than a generic map pin because it shows transit routes, rail stations and major Chicago destinations together.
- Find the nearest bus corridor.
- Identify nearby ‘L’ stations.
- Check where two bus routes intersect.
- Look for downtown transfer points.
- Check major destinations and attractions.
- Open the route page for exact stop timing.
CTA Bus Accessibility
CTA states that 100% of its buses and railcars are accessible. Route pages also identify bus service as accessible. Stop conditions can still matter, especially during construction, temporary relocations, snow or sidewalk closures.
CTA Holiday Bus Service
CTA’s schedule pages state that Sunday schedules apply on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, including their observed dates where applicable.
Before You Walk to a Chicago Bus Stop
- Confirm the route number and route name.
- Check whether you need northbound, southbound, eastbound or westbound service.
- Match the destination displayed on the bus headsign.
- Check your exact boarding stop instead of relying only on terminal times.
- Verify whether today uses weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Check Bus Tracker shortly before leaving.
- Review active reroutes and temporary stop changes.
- Have Ventra, contactless payment or the correct cash fare ready.
- For late-night travel, verify the Owl route pattern and terminal.
- Plan the return trip before leaving if you will travel near the end of service.
CTA Tools Worth Bookmarking
Search bus routes by number or name and open current route information.
Open schedulesCheck near-real-time estimated arrivals using route, direction and stop.
Open trackerCurrent bus fares, Ventra fares, cash fare, transfers and passes.
Open fare informationInteractive transit map with bus/rail context and major points of interest.
Open mapCurrent bus reroutes, temporary stops, service changes and upcoming notices.
Open alertsAccessible transit features, service information and accessibility alerts.
Open accessibility guideCurrent and future service improvements on selected high-use bus corridors.
Open Frequent NetworkEnter your start and destination when you do not know which route to use.
Plan a tripChicago Transit Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the Chicago Transit bus schedule?
Use CTA’s official Schedules & Route Info page. Search by bus number or route name, then open the route page to see its timetable, first and last service, stop list, map and alerts.
How do I check what time a CTA bus arrives at my stop?
Use CTA Bus Tracker. Choose the route, direction and exact stop to see predicted arrivals. The scheduled timetable and live prediction are different.
What is the regular CTA bus fare?
CTA currently lists a $2.25 regular bus fare when using Ventra Transit Account value or eligible contactless pay-as-you-go. Cash paid directly on the bus is listed at $2.50.
Does a cash CTA bus fare include transfers?
No. CTA states that transfers are not available when paying the bus fare directly with cash. Eligible Ventra/contactless fares can include up to two additional rides within two hours.
Do CTA buses run 24 hours?
Some routes or route segments operate all times or provide overnight Owl service, while many other routes stop overnight. Check the individual route page rather than assuming every CTA bus operates 24 hours.
Are Saturday and Sunday CTA bus schedules the same?
Not necessarily. CTA route pages commonly list weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules separately. Service spans and frequency can differ on each service day.
What schedule does CTA use on holidays?
CTA says Sunday schedules apply on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, including applicable observed dates.
Are CTA buses accessible?
Yes. CTA states that 100% of its buses are accessible. Riders should still check for temporary stop relocations or other conditions that may affect the boarding location.
Why does Bus Tracker sometimes change the arrival time?
CTA explains that arrival predictions can change because of reroutes, incidents, equipment problems or other delays. A bus may also disappear from the tracker if it stops transmitting location data even though it remains in service.
How early should I reach a CTA bus stop?
For practical trip planning, arrive several minutes before the scheduled time and check Bus Tracker before leaving. Allow additional time for unfamiliar stops, transfers, construction, severe weather or infrequent late-night service.