Questions: Ventra, CTA, Divvy

Question

I will be in Chicago soon and want to get a 3-day CTA pass. If possible, I'd prefer to avoid downloading an app or creating a login. Can I purchase a 3-day pass and add it to my contactless credit card? How would I do that?

The CTA website says there's also a 3-day “ticket” that can be purchased at Midway or ORD Ventra Vending Machines. Is this a paper ticket? I assume it wouldn't work on buses, then?

Similar question about Divvy: I'd prefer not to download the app (my cell phone is old and running out of memory!). The website says that “single ride passes for classic bikes can also be purchased at select Divvy kiosks” without a smartphone. My question is, does anyone know how widespread that is? Do most of the kiosks let you buy a single pass without a smartphone? Or should I just bite the bullet and download an app if I want to use Divvy?

Thanks!

Answer

For visiting Chicago and using the CTA and Divvy services without relying heavily on apps, here’s a detailed breakdown based on your questions.

CTA 3-Day Pass:

You can purchase a 3-day CTA pass in a few ways without needing to download an app or create an account. Here’s what you need to know:

Ventra Contactless Payment: CTA allows riders to tap contactless credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to pay per ride, but currently, multi-day passes cannot be loaded directly onto a contactless credit card. Contactless payment works for pay-per-ride, so each bus or train swipe deducts a fare automatically.
3-Day Paper Pass: The 3-day “ticket” available at Midway or O’Hare Ventra Vending Machines is indeed a paper ticket. This ticket is accepted on both trains (CTA 'L') and buses, so you don’t need a phone or app to use it. Simply purchase the ticket at a vending machine in the airport and show it or tap it on the fare readers as required.
Ventra Card Purchase: You can also purchase a physical Ventra card at vending machines or retail locations and load a 3-day pass onto it. This card can then be used on both buses and trains without any app needed.

Divvy Bike Rentals:

For Divvy bikes, the system is designed to encourage app use, but you do have options if you prefer not to use a smartphone:

Single-Ride Pass at Kiosk: Many Divvy kiosks allow you to purchase a single-ride pass using a credit or debit card directly at the kiosk without the app. This is fairly widespread, especially in downtown Chicago and areas with heavy bike usage, though not every kiosk may offer this feature, so having some flexibility is useful.
App Convenience: The app is generally recommended for longer passes or for checking bike availability, but for one-off rides, a kiosk purchase works fine. You’ll get a code or unlock directly at the kiosk to access a bike.
Backup Plan: If you plan multiple rides in a day or want guaranteed bike access, consider downloading the Divvy app if possible, even on a temporary device or tablet, because the kiosk availability can occasionally be limited during peak hours.

Summary: For CTA, get a 3-day paper pass at Midway or ORD vending machines; it works on both buses and trains. You cannot put a multi-day pass directly on your contactless credit card. For Divvy, most downtown kiosks allow single-ride purchases without an app, but if you want maximum flexibility or multiple rides, having the app is recommended.