Getting to Wrigley Field
So … if you took our advice, you’re either staying right at Wrigley Field in a $600/night hotel room (hopefully not), somewhere in Lakeview within walking distance of the ballpark, or … you’re staying someplace that will require a commute. And if we know our hotel odds, then we know the majority of you took that last option. So now you need to figure out how to get to the ballpark. And we’ve got your answers.
You’ve heard everybody say it: take the L (our subway) to Wrigley. And they’re 100% right – that’s how you do it. Is it the only way to do it? No. Is it the best way to do it? Yup. But let’s give you all of your options so you can decide for yourself.
In this chapter, we’ll cover:
First, let’s talk seriously about crime, safety, and the subway to Wrigley Field
I mentioned in the Travel chapter that I’ve had recent concerns about safety on the Chicago subway system. So much so that it has changed some of my behavior when it comes to getting around. BUT … that concern applies to going from downtown to Midway Airport, and downtown to Guaranteed Rate Field. It does not apply to taking the L from downtown or River North to Wrigley Field.
I know you’ve heard all of the stories about Chicago – it’s an urban hellscape where people are gunned down in the streets in broad daylight. Let me assure you – it’s not, and they aren’t. Yes, this city has its problems, and those problems are serious. But I’ve lived here for 26 years, and I take the subway to Wrigley Field 20-30 times per season for games (and during the offseason as well). And I never … ever … feel concerned about my safety.
Understand – the L is how people in this city get around. And on the north side, the L connects all of the residential neighborhoods to the downtown area. At all hours of the day and night, there are people on these trains.
Now … are there instances of random crime? Of course – that’s life in a huge city. But would I hesitate to tell you to take the L to Wrigley Field? No … I would not. No matter what day or time the game is, this system will have fans on it. You couldn’t find an empty subway car if your life depended on it. The worst thing that is likely to happen to you on the L to Wrigley Field is that you’re jammed into a packed train car, staring right into someone’s armpit (sorry for that visual – you should definitely head up there a little early to avoid this).
So that’s it. You can either trust a Cubs season ticket holder who lives here and takes this subway all the time, or you can trust Fox News and your Instagram feed. The choice is yours.
And now, let’s get you to Wrigley Field for some baseball!
Getting to Wrigley Field by Subway
If you are staying in the Loop or Near North areas, then the most efficient way of getting to Wrigley Field will definitely be via subway. As you’ll see on the system map below, Wrigley Field is located at the Addison stop on the Red Line, which runs from the Loop, through River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and then stops literally within throwing distance of the ballpark. The train you’re looking for is the Red Line to Howard (which is where all northbound Red Line trains are going). Once you’re on the subway, it’s about a 20-minute ride from The Loop to the ballpark, and shorter from points to the north of that, and it doesn’t require any transfers.
Downtown/The Loop L Stations
Red Line Station Chart
The fare is $2.50 for a one-way ride, regardless of where you get on the train. If you took the subway from one of the airports upon your arrival and purchased a multi-day transit pass, that pass will work for this ride. If you didn’t, you won’t be able to purchase a multi-day pass at the local stations (they are only available at the airports), but you can buy a one-day pass for $5. You can also just use your chipped credit card on the scan pad, which is what I’d recommend if you aren’t purchasing a multi-day pass.
TSI TIP: the ticket machines at Wrigley will be packed after the game ends, and it’s a narrow station lobby, so having to stand in that line means fighting with an entire crowd to get to a ticketing machine. If you have a multi-day pass, you don’t need to worry – you’re all set. But if you don’t, you’ll want to just use your credit card for entry. Don’t get stuck in that line after the game!
When you arrive at the station, you’ll just follow everyone else. The ballpark is literally a half-block to the west. It … couldn’t … be … easier. From that corner, you can turn right to walk to the bleachers entrance / Murphy’s Bleachers, or continue straight on Addison to Clark Street, where the Marquee entrance is. And a right on Clark Street will get you to Gallagher Way, the park outside of the gates (which you must have a ticket to enter on game days).
When you return to the subway, you’ll want to catch a southbound train towards Dan Ryan/95th. It’s the same thing heading back … you won’t need to make any transfers to get to any of the Red Line stations along the way (Clark/Division, Chicago, Grand, Lake, Monroe, and Jackson).
TSI TIP: if you are staying closer to a Brown Line station, you can take the Brown Line north to the Belmont stop and transfer to the Red Line there for the one additional stop to Addison. This is an incredibly easy transfer – the two train lines are literally 10 feet apart from each other on the same platform. Coming back, you’d just do the opposite: transfer from the Red Line to the Brown Line at Belmont.
The upside of doing this is that the Brown Line train will be much emptier than the Red Line trains (both ways). The downside is that there may be a transfer delay, depending on how lucky you get with the train schedules.
Taking the bus to Wrigley Field
I know, you’re thinking “there’s no way I’m taking a bus to Wrigley Field.” Ok, but you should listen to us: the bus is a really decent way to get there if you’re coming from points further north, like Gold Coast or Lincoln Park (but also works fine from River North or downtown … it’ll just take a little extra time).
The 22 Bus runs right along Clark Street, and literally stops across from the main gates of the ballpark. The bus is clean, and it’s safe, and I take the bus WAY more often than I take the subway, because the bus stops directly outside of my home.
Trust me – like the subway, this is how the locals get around (if you’re someone who lives near an L stop, you take the L. If you’re someone who lives closer to a bus stop, you take the bus). Homelessness on north side buses is extremely rare, and in 26 years in Chicago, I can count on one hand the number of stories I’ve heard of significant incidents on north side buses. And trust me again: on game days, if you step onto a 22 Bus, you will see at least a dozen people heading to the ballpark. And people in Chicago are nice – if you aren’t sure where you’re going, just ask any of them and you’re going to get a polite and helpful answer.
The bus stops every block or two along this route, so it’s easy to jump on. The fare is $2.25 for adults ($2.50 cash), children 7-11 are $1.10 ($1.25 cash), and kids under 7 are free. If you have a multi-day pass, it will work on this bus. Otherwise, you can pay with cash (no change given) or with your chipped credit card (your chipped credit card will charge the lower fare, cash will charge the higher fare). You can find the 22 Bus schedule and map here.
TSI TIP: if you’re taking the bus back from Wrigley, it’s a little more complicated.
Clark Street outside of the stadium is shut down for traffic management reasons after the game.
To catch the 22 Bus, you’ll have to walk about a half mile south to Clark and Belmont Streets. It’s a safe walk, but if walking isn’t your thing, then you may want to consider taking the L back for your return.
If you’d rather avoid public transportation, ridesharing is an acceptable way to get to Wrigley Field. But if you look at the Cubs website, it has a very odd comment about ridesharing:
“Rideshare services will have a geo-fence for pick-up and drop-off spots around Wrigley Field for game and event days. The pick-up locations will be at Addison Street between Broadway and Halsted Street, and at Irving Park Road between Clark Street and Seminary Avenue.”
What does a “geo fence for pick–up and drop-off” mean? We have no idea. What we do know is that “Addison Street between Broadway and Halsted” is 10 minutes by foot to the east (which is a quick and easy walk), and “Irving Park Road between Clark Street and Seminary Avenue” is .5 miles north on a stretch of road that is literally surrounded by a cemetery on both sides. We like that option way less.
Really what they’re telling you is to get away from the ballpark to order a rideshare. And about that part, they are right – trying to get one at the ballpark will be very difficult because of the roadblocks and traffic management during/after games.
If you take a rideshare to Wrigley, they can drop you off pretty close to the ballpark: plot in Wrigley Field as the destination, and if you get close and there’s a lot of traffic, just hop out and walk the last few blocks. Ask the driver – they should understand the area.
To leave, we suggest ordering a rideshare to the following locations
To the east: their suggestion is fine – the intersection of Addison and Broadway. You can enter “3565 N Broadway” as a pickup point.
To the south: walk out of the “Wrigleyville Zone” down Clark Street and have the car pick you up at 3416 N. Sheffield. It’s just an easy, out of the way spot where they’ll be able to stop and pick you up without worrying about bus traffic.
The distance between Wrigley and the hotel zones isn’t that far in terms of mileage (six miles at most), but it could cost anywhere from $20-$35, depending on surge pricing.
Getting a taxi from Wrigley Field
Yeah … don’t. Rideshares will be easier.
If you’re roaming around downtown, you’ll undoubtedly see the Divvy bike stations. That’s our bikeshare program, where you can rent a bike and take it one way to anyplace where there’s a return station. And taking a Divvy to Wrigley is a completely appropriate thing to do !
In terms of the route, you would want to try to pick up a bike at a station closer to the lakefront / Lake Shore Drive. Check the Divvy map to find a station near you. From there, you’ll want to get to the lakeshore bike path – use your navigation app to make sure you’re heading for an access point that crosses Lake Shore Drive.
Once you’re on the bike path, head north. You will love this – it’s an amazing way to see the city. You’ll ride right along Lake Michigan, past Oak Street Beach, past North Avenue Beach, past Lincoln Park, and past Belmont Harbor. Follow your mapping app for specific directions. You can either drop the bike off at a station in the park and then walk the rest of the way to the ballpark, or you can take it all the way to Wrigley Field.
And the best part? Divvy offers valet service at the ballpark. What that means is that it doesn’t matter if there is an open dock for you to return the bike – just take it to the return location and there will be a staff member who will check the bike in and take it. It’s … that … easy.
If you’re going to do this, we’d suggest budgeting 1:15 for it, depending on how far you’re starting from a station and the bike path, and how fast of a biker you are. Make no mistake – this is more of a tourist activity than a typical transit strategy. But it’s a great one, and we recommend it.
Rates for the bikes start at $1 to check it out, plus $.18/min. So if it takes you 75 minutes to get there, that’s about $15. Way more expensive than other ways of getting to the ballpark, but way more fun and scenic.
Of course we do suggest having a helmet. And we’d recommend not doing this after a night game.
Walking to Wrigley Field
Yes … you can do it. And yes … it’s a great thing to do. It’s just a matter of how much you enjoy walking.
I live about 2.5 miles from the ballpark, right on Clark Street, and I walk it all the time in about 45-50 minutes. From the Loop it’s probably too far. And even from River North it’s a bit of a haul. But check your navigation app to see how far it is and if you’re good with it, then feel free. The route directly along Clark Street is appropriately safe for the entire walk, as is the lakefront path (as well as the connecting road from the lake to the stadium). It’s reasonable to walk it at night, but we’d suggest not doing so, unless you’re staying in closer locations like Lakeview or Lincoln Park.
Bottom Line
Taking the L is the easiest and cheapest means of getting to Wrigley Field, and it’s part of the experience. It’s safe, it’s convenient, and it’s easy. If you’re located along a 22 Bus Line, you can absolutely take that as well. Rideshares/taxis are fine, but harder to get after the game. Bike share … absolutely. And for those who just love to get their steps in, yes, you can walk as well.
