CTA Announces Holiday Train and Bus Schedule for 2024. Here’s How to Catch a Ride

Eunice Alpasan | November 19, 2024, 10:34 am

(Courtesy of Chicago Transit Authority)

Santa and his elves are returning to CTA buses and trains this holiday season.

One of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions will return starting the week of Thanksgiving and will run through late December, the Chicago Transit Authority announced Tuesday.

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Riders can expect a six-car CTA train decorated with holiday scenes and lights, and Santa greeting riders from a flatbed. The holiday trains are running Nov. 29 to Dec. 23. The CTA has a list of specific times.

Friday, Nov. 29: Green Line & Orange Line
Saturday, Nov. 30: Green Line (Photos with Santa)
Tuesday, Dec. 3: Green Line & Orange Line
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Orange Line & Brown Line
Thursday, Dec. 5: Orange Line & Brown Line
Friday, Dec. 6: Orange Line & Brown Line
Saturday, Dec. 7: Orange Line & Brown Line (Photos with Santa)
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Pink Line
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Pink Line
Thursday, Dec. 12: Blue Line
Friday, Dec. 13: Blue Line
Saturday, Dec. 14: Blue Line & Pink Line (Photos with Santa)
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Red Line
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Purple Line
Thursday, Dec. 19: Red Line
Friday, Dec. 20: Purple Line
Saturday, Dec. 21: Red Line & Purple Line (Photos with Santa)
Monday, Dec. 23: Yellow Line

For holiday buses, riders can expect to see Santa greeting riders from the roof hatch of the bus. The buses are scheduled to run during specific times between Nov. 26 to Dec. 21 on the following routes:

#56 Milwaukee, #22 Clark, #97 Skokie, #91 Austin, #92 Foster, #74 Fullerton, #66 Chicago, #126 Jackson, #12 Roosevelt, #62 Archer, #49 Western, #X49 Western Exp., #3 King Drive, #79 79th, #28 Stony Island, #J14 Jeffrey Jump, #6 Jackson Park and #29 State.

In keeping with tradition, holiday bus interiors will feature artwork from students, according to a news release. This year, the CTA partnered with Catalyst Maria Elementary School to showcase artwork created by students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Read More: 2024 Chicago Holiday Events Guide

The holiday trains and buses both operate as part of regular service, and so they can’t dwell at stations and stops for long periods of time, according to the CTA. The public transit agency suggests these tips to make the most of your experience:

Plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Use the CTA train tracker, which will indicate the holiday train with a candy cane, or use the dedicated holiday bus tracker.
Have your device ready when it’s your turn to take a photo with Santa. Photos are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one photo set-up per group. Photo props will also be available.
Travel light. Small collapsible strollers are encouraged to make room for as many holiday passengers as possible.
Try boarding at a station or stop close to the beginning of the route. Many people who board the holiday train or bus often stay on board until it reaches the end of its route, and will then take it back home if it is scheduled to make a return trip.

A tip for holiday trains: The railcars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately next to Santa’s sleigh.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]