ABA at BEA Transportation

Public Transportation and Parking

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) manages the three public transit operations in northeastern Illinois: The Chicago Transit (CTA), Metra Commuter Rail, and Pace Suburban Bus. For information on routes and schedules, contact the RTA via their website at www.rtachicago.org or call their Transit

Information Hotline is at 312-836-7000.

Bus Services

Getting to McCormick Place is possible by using the city transit system. The Chicago Transit Authority provides the following bus service and runs approximately every 15 minutes. Drop off is located at the main entrance to the South Building on Martin Luther King Drive.

From Downtown Chicago: The #3 King Drive bus is the most common bus route to McCormick Place as it runs north/south along Michigan Avenue serving many downtown hotels and the Magnificent Mile and Water Tower Place. The McCormick Place stop is located at 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago and is in front of our main entrance.

One-way bus fare is $2.00 and it is recommended to pre-purchase a Ventra card prior to using the bus system.

McCormick Place Bus Station List:
• #3 King Drive “McCormick Place - MLK Drive @ McCormick Square - 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago” - for North, South, Lakeside Center Buildings and the Hyatt Hotel.
• #3 King Drive “Cermak @ Indiana” for McCormick Place West Building.

Additional Nearby Stations and Routes:
• #4 Cottage Grove “Michigan @ Cermak Road - runs north/south along Michigan Ave.
• #21 Cermak Road - Runs East/West Along Cermak

Regional Transit Authority (METRA)

Located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the McCormack South Building, the METRA Electric commuter railroad provides direct service within seven minutes to and from downtown Chicago. Service from the Millennium (Randolph St.) Station (near the Fairmont Hotel) to McCormick Place begins early morning, with more frequent pick-ups during rush hours. Shuttle connections (via CTA bus) can be made to the METRA system at Chicago Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and LaSalle Street Station. METRA services the Midwest as far north as Kenosha, Wisconsin; northwest to Fox Lake and Harvard; west to Elgin, Geneva and Aurora; southwest to Joliet and Orland Park; south to University Park; and east to South Bend, Indiana.

*NEW* CTA Rail Connections “L” Trains

CTA Trip Planner

Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line Station: The nearest CTA rail station is located at the intersection of Cermak Road and State Street, 2 blocks (0.15 mile) from the northwest corner of the McCormick Place West Building - Gate 41- located at Cermak Road and Indiana Ave. A one-way fare on the L train is $2.25 (Additional fare if coming directly from O’Hare Airport). Fare cards can be purchased at the station and collected prior to boarding the platform. To learn more about the CTA fare card system, visit Ventra Card. On average, Green line trains operate approximately on an 11 minute frequency from 5 a.m. to Midnight. Review the station timetable for additional information.

CTA L Train routes are designated by colors and terminating stations. When traveling to McCormick Place from the downtown Loop, make sure to enter the southbound Green Line Cottage Grove or Ashland/63rd Branch trains as indicated on the platform and train display cards. When returning to the Loop from McCormick Place use the northbound platform marked "Loop".

For an additional 25¢ transfer fare, Green Line riders transfer to an East bound Cermak Road #21 Bus located directly below the station platform on Cermak Road. As an alternative option to walking, The #21 bus stops directly in front of McCormick Place. The CTA Green Line Route offers convenient citywide connections to the Loop and free transfers to many other L lines including the Blue Line - O’Hare Airport branch and the Orange Line - Midway Airport branch. The Green Line also offers near-direct connection to suburban METRA train stations servicing the North and Western Suburbs via Ogilvie Transportation Center, Union Station and Amtrak - via the Clinton Green Line stop.

Taxi Services

More than 5,800 city taxis are at your service in Chicago. Facility direction signs and personnel at the McCormick Concierge Desk will direct attendees to gates that are designated for BEA.

TAXI Location – Gate 40 Across from shuttle bus area on level one

Shared Taxi Program: There is a Shared Ride Program available for those flying into O'Hare and Midway and taking a cab from one of these airports to either McCormick Place or downtown.

Parking

Lot A – 2301 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616: (8' height clearance) is a six level garage with 2,100 parking spaces located on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to the West Building. Covered walkways from Lot A leading directly into McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel also provide added convenience. The parking rate is $23 for up to 16 hours and $36 from 16 to 24 hours.* There are no in-and-out privileges. Overnight parking is available in Lot A only. Lost tickets will pay the $36 (overnight) fee per day.

Lot B – 3050 South Moe Drive, Chicago, IL 60616 (also known as 31st Street Lot) is an outdoor surface parking lot located at 31st Street near Lake Shore Drive South and Moe Drive. It holds over 1,800 vehicles. The parking rate is a flat fee of $15 per day with no in-and-out privileges.* This parking lot is open throughout event hours. Overnight parking is not available.

Lot C – Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 60616 (6'4" height clearance) is an underground garage with 1,900 parking spaces and is located on Ft. Dearborn Drive, adjacent to the Lakeside Center. The parking rate is a flat fee of $23 per day with no in-and-out privileges.* This parking lot is open throughout event hours. Overnight parking is not available.

* Credit Cards are accepted at the parking ticket kiosks.