How to ride transit in Chicago with kids

April 29, 2025

No matter where you’re going—whether a regular school commute, a downtown museum day, or anything in-between—transit is a great option for the whole family in the Chicago area. Bringing children onto CTA, Metra, and Pace is simple, and with special fares for youngsters, it’s also an affordable way to travel. RTA has gathered up all the must-know info for riding transit in Chicago with kids.

Fares

On CTA, Metra, and Pace, children younger than 7 ride free with a fare-paying adult, and children 7-11 years old are offered a reduced fare when traveling alone or with an adult. Metra offers Family Fares on weekends and select holidays, allowing up to three kids 11 and younger to ride free with each fare-paying adult. Metra’s Family Fares are also available on weekdays during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Learn more about how to pay these fares from Ventra, the regional transit system’s ticketing platform.

All three agencies offer reduced fares for grade school through high school students. Learn more about reduced student fares on CTA, Metra, and Pace.

Strollers

All CTA, Metra, and Pace vehicles are ADA accessible and allow strollers onboard. On buses and Metra trains, you may request use of the access ramp to help you board and exit. Family Cars are available on weekends and non-rush hour weekday Metra trains.

Most CTA stations (71%) and Metra stations (77%) are fully accessible, with work underway to bring all stations into full accessibility over the next several years. If you’re traveling by train with a stroller, check CTA and Metra’s websites under Service Alerts in advance for any elevator outages, as strollers are never permitted on escalators.

Children in an open stroller should be seated and secured in the stroller before boarding the bus or train. On train station platforms, position your stroller parallel to the platform edge (not facing it), use wheel locks/brakes, and stay with the stroller at all times.

Once onboard your bus or train, parents are encouraged to keep strollers clear of aisles and doorways. On a bus, you may pull the lever to raise the seats in the priority area, making room to park your stroller without blocking the aisle. On a train, use priority seating areas and stay clear of doorways. But please note that seniors and riders with disabilities have priority use of the priority seating areas aboard buses and trains. If a bus or train becomes crowded, you may be asked to fold your stroller to make room for others.