How to Get to Soldier Field from Union Station [2026 Guide]
To reach Soldier Field from Chicago Union Station, travel 2 miles southeast using direct shuttles, rideshares, or walking. On game days, the CTA #128 Soldier Field Express bus runs nonstop from Jackson and Canal in 15 to 25 minutes ($5.00 round-trip). Taxis or Uber/Lyft take 10 to 25 minutes ($12–$30+ depending on traffic surges).
Non-game-day travelers can walk eastward through Grant Park across Museum Campus in 35 to 45 minutes for free, or catch the CTA #146 bus or Red/Orange Line train to Roosevelt Station followed by a 15-minute walk ($2.25–$2.50).
Travel Cost and Travel Time Quick Summary
| Travel Mode & Routing Option | Transit Time & Grounded Rates |
|---|---|
| CTA Bus #128 Soldier Field Express (Bears Game Days Only) | 15–25 minutes | $5.00 round-trip (Ventra / contactless) |
| Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft via Columbus Dr / 18th St) | 10–25 minutes | $12–$30+ (higher during event surge) |
| Walking (Jackson Blvd & Grant Park / Museum Campus) | 35–45 minutes | Free |
| CTA Train + Walk (Blue Line / Walk to Red Line to Roosevelt + Walk) | 30–40 minutes total | $2.50 transit fare |
| Regular CTA Bus #146 (Walk to State/Jackson + Bus to Museum Campus) | 25–35 minutes total | $2.25 standard bus fare |
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🚍 Option 1: CTA Bus #128 Soldier Field Express (Cheapest & Direct)
The CTA #128 Soldier Field Express provides the most convenient, direct transit connection between Chicago Union Station and Soldier Field during Chicago Bears home games and select stadium concerts.
Buses depart directly east of Union Station along Jackson Boulevard at Canal Street, operating continuously starting roughly 2.5 hours before kickoff until 30 minutes after game start, with return service running for an hour after the final whistle.
The express service travels nonstop straight to the McFetridge Drive drop-off area adjacent to Soldier Field. Fare is $5.00 round-trip (or $2.50 reduced), payable via Ventra cards, contactless credit/debit cards, or mobile wallets. Because it avoids general passenger parking lots and routes directly along transit lanes, it eliminates parking expenses and stadium lot congestion.
🚖 Option 2: Taxi, Uber, or Lyft (Fastest & Convenient)
Taxis and rideshares offer convenient curb-to-curb service from Union Station’s dedicated taxi pick-up lanes along Canal Street. Under standard traffic conditions, the 2.1-mile drive via Columbus Drive, Canal Street, or Ida B. Wells Drive to the Museum Campus takes about 10 to 15 minutes, with standard cab fares running between $12 and $18.
During stadium event days, expect vehicular delays and designated drop-off restrictions.
Rideshares are routed toward the 18th Street turnaround or west of Lake Shore Drive, requiring an additional 10- to 15-minute walk across the pedestrian bridge to reach stadium gates. Post-game surge pricing frequently drives rideshare rates up to $35–$50+, making a post-event walk or transit connection more economical.
🚶 Option 3: Walking (Free & Scenic)
Walking from Union Station to Soldier Field covers roughly 2 miles and takes between 35 and 45 minutes at a steady pace. Head east on Jackson Boulevard across the Chicago River and straight through the downtown Loop to Michigan Avenue. Enter Grant Park and continue southeast through the Museum Campus green spaces, passing the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium before reaching the northern gates of Soldier Field.
This pedestrian route is flat, pedestrian-friendly, and offers views of the Chicago skyline, Buckingham Fountain, and Lake Michigan. Walking is particularly popular immediately following major events, as departing crowds can leave the stadium grounds faster than gridlocked vehicular traffic on Lake Shore Drive.
🚇 Option 4: CTA Train + Walk (Backup Public Transit)
If you are traveling on non-game days when the #128 express bus does not operate, public rail is a dependable backup. From Union Station, walk three blocks east along Jackson Boulevard to the underground Jackson subway station. Board a southbound CTA Red Line train or Orange Line train and ride two stops south to the Roosevelt Station.
At Roosevelt Station, exit toward Michigan Avenue and walk east through the pedestrian subway under Lake Shore Drive toward the Museum Campus (approximately 12 to 15 minutes on foot). Alternatively, transfer at Roosevelt to the CTA #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus, which drops off right in front of the Field Museum steps away from Soldier Field. The standard CTA train fare is $2.50 per ride via contactless tap-to-pay.
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FAQs About How to Get to Soldier Field from Union Station [2026 Guide]
Does the CTA #128 bus run on days without events?
No. The CTA Route #128 Soldier Field Express operates exclusively during Chicago Bears home games and select high-attendance stadium concert events. On standard non-event days, travelers should use the regular CTA #146 bus from State Street, take the Red Line to Roosevelt, or walk.
Where do rideshares drop off at Soldier Field?
For stadium games and concerts, rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) drop off and pick up passengers at the 18th Street pedestrian bridge west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, or along Columbus Drive. From there, spectators follow marked pedestrian pathways across the bridge into the stadium grounds.
Can I leave luggage at Union Station while going to Soldier Field?
Yes. Amtrak passengers with valid train tickets can store parcels and bags at the Union Station Parcel Check / Baggage Claim for an hourly or daily fee. Soldier Field enforces a strict clear-bag security policy and prohibits backpacks or large luggage inside the gates.
How long is the walk from the Roosevelt subway station to Soldier Field?
The walk from the CTA Roosevelt Station (serving Red, Green, and Orange lines) to Soldier Field is about 0.8 miles and takes roughly 12 to 15 minutes. Pedestrians walk east along Roosevelt Road and follow the dedicated walkways under Lake Shore Drive directly onto the Museum Campus.