The number one question I get from friends and family visiting Chicago is, “How do we get around the city?” Well, I’m here to tell you that with a little navigational savvy and some map-reading skills (We’re technical writers, right? We create these types of things for a living), you can easily find your way through the Windy City.

By Train

Chicago has two “types” of trains: the Metra, which is a commuter train that takes people to and from the Chicago suburbs, and the El, short for Elevated Train, which runs in Chicago’s downtown and to the nearby suburbs, like Rosemont. You most likely won’t use the Metra on your visit, so I’ll focus on the El. The El has eight rail lines named for a color. For example, the Blue line runs from O’Hare to downtown and has a stop in Rosemont, steps from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.  If you’re venturing downtown, I recommend taking the Blue line. It’s your cheapest method of transportation. One train ride is $2.25. Midway also has an El stop, and you can take the El from Midway to the Rosemont stop, though you’ll have to transfer from the Orange line to the Blue line at the Clark/Lake stop and it’ll take about an hour. For a step-by-step guide to riding the El and for a bit more information, watch this video:

By Taxi

Taxis are a nice alternative to the train because they’ll take you directly to where you want to go (and to a few places the trains don’t go), but you’ll pay the price. A taxi ride to downtown Chicago from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare could run you as much as $40 or more. It’s always recommended to ask your taxi driver for an estimate before you leave so they don’t scam you.

By Bus

Once downtown, Chicago boasts a stand-out bus system that’ll get you to just about anywhere. Be sure to check maps and schedules for the best route. If you’re a smart-phone user (specifically iPhone), I recommend the following apps to get around: iTrans Chicago CTA $1.99 in the app store Provides public transportation directions and schedules. Reliable times. User-friendly UI myTransit – CTA $0.99 in the app store Great for tracking buses. Sometimes the times are off, so best to be there earlier than the app recommends. Nice UI. Transit Stop: CTA Tracker (Free) Free in the app store CTA Tracker gives you quick and easy access to bus and train arrival times. Mostly reliable. Become familiar with it before you arrive in Chicago.  Adam Evans is a member of the STC Chicago 2012 Host Committee and a Documentation Writer at ExactTarget.