How it Works | Ventra
From transit to
transactions,
Ventra® does it all
How-to Videos
Contactless and convenient way to pay for transit
Tap and board CTA and Pace trains and buses
Purchase passes and add transit value at CTA rail stations, through the Ventra app, participating retail locations, online or by phone
Online account management and lost/stolen Ventra Card protection with registration
$5.00 one-time Ventra Card purchase fee is immediately refunded as transit value upon registration
Ventra works with mobile payments in Apple Pay and Google Pay
Pay-as-you-go using payment cards in Apple Pay and Google Pay without having to create a Transit Account.
Or, with the new Ventra app, add a Ventra Card to Google Pay, iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for rides with transit value and passes
To learn more about using mobile wallets with Ventra click here
Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services LLC is a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer.
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The new Ventra app — Easier. Faster. Better.
Faster navigation, a simplified home screen and user-friendly design
Easier CTA and Pace account management
Improved Metra mobile tickets
Add a Ventra Card to Google Pay or your iPhone and Apple Watch
New trip planning tool and more
Click here to learn more about what the Ventra App has to offer
Use your own contactless bankcard
Pay-as-you-go without having to create a Transit Account
Add passes and transit value at Ventra Vending Machines or participating Ventra Retail Locations
To learn more about using a contactless bankcard for payments, click here
This symbol 
means your card is contactless
Disposable contactless paper tickets available at CTA rail stations
Tap and board CTA trains and buses
Single-ride ticket
One-day ticket
Cash still accepted on buses
Cash, Reduced Fares, Permits and Passes
Cash will still be accepted on buses
Eligible CTA and Pace customers will continue to receive a reduced fare
Reduced fare customers, including seniors and students, will be provided with a new hard plastic card that works on the Ventra System
Card design varies by program