How to use transit to get to the 2026 Chicago Auto Show | Northern Illinois Transit Authority

The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and one of the biggest annual events in the Chicago region. While it’s great fun to admire these vehicles in an exhibition setting, we suggest staying out of event traffic by taking advantage of various public transportation options. Here’s all you need to know about getting to the 2026 Chicago Auto Show.

What is the Chicago Auto Show?

The Chicago Auto Show takes place February 7–16, 2026, at McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago. The show debuted in 1901, and this year marks its 118^th edition. About 1,000 different vehicles will be on display, and you’ll also see accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, and project, antique, and collector cars.

How to get there

McCormick Place is accessible by various modes of public transportation. Learn more about using public transportation to get to the Chicago Auto Show here, or simply look up transit directions in Google Maps or another maps application.

If you’re taking the CTA, the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station is located within walking distance, west of McCormick Place. Customers can connect to the Green Line via multiple rail lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Brown, and Pink lines), which provide free transfers at multiple locations and will have signage directing customers where to transfer and exit. Additionally, McCormick Place is served by the #3 King Drive and the #21 Cermak CTA bus routes.

For Metra Electric Line riders, trains will be making extra stops at the McCormick Place Station for the duration of the show. A weekday Day Pass is good for unlimited rides in a single weekday and costs $7.50-$13.50 depending on the zone you're traveling from. Learn more here. The $7 Saturday or Sunday Pass is good for unlimited rides throughout the system on a Saturday or Sunday. Metra also offers a $10 Weekend Pass exclusively in the Ventra app, which is good for unlimited rides on both weekend days.

Special Auto Show buses will operate between various train stations and McCormick Place. These buses will have either “To Auto Show McCormick Place” or “Metra Stations/Via Downtown” in their destination signs. The charges for the bus is a regular $2.25 bus fare.

The Auto Show Shuttle will run every 12 to 20 minutes during the following spans each day:

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, February 7, and Monday, February 9, to Sunday, February 15
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, February 8
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, February 16

Board the Auto Show Shuttle in the following locations:

Ogilvie Transportation Center: on southbound Clinton at Madison (Stop L)
Union Station: on southbound Clinton at Quincy, or eastbound Jackson Boulevard and Canal Street (Stop A)
LaSalle Street Station: on eastbound Jackson Boulevard and Financial Place (Stop B)
Museum Campus/11th St. Station: on southbound Columbus at 11th Street
McCormick Place: at Gate #26

And registered ADA Paratransit passengers may use Pace services to visit the Chicago Auto Show. More information about drop-off and pick-up location will be shared soon. Learn more about ADA Paratransit services through Pace here.

It is important to note that the CTA and Metra strongly recommend customers plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and purchase fares in advance. CTA and Metra ask all customers to be courteous and respectful to fellow riders.