
Chicago's Union Station is an iconic beaux-arts train station located in the heart of the city. It is a staple site to see when visiting and is one of the main connections for urban and commuter trains. If you're travelling to Union Station from Chicago O'Hare Airport, you have two options: taxi or train. The train is a great budget option, but it can be time-consuming and difficult if you have children or lots of luggage. The total travel time, including walking, waiting, and riding the train, is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Travel options | Taxi or train |
| Train operator | CTA |
| Train fare | $3-$5 |
| Train frequency | Frequent |
| Total travel time | 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) |
| Walking time | 5-10 minutes |
| Airport terminal | Follow signs for "Trains to City" or "Airport Transit System" |
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What You'll Learn

Getting to O'Hare Station from Terminal 1, 2, or 3
To get to O'Hare Station from Terminals 1, 2, or 3 at Chicago O'Hare Airport, follow the signs to the pedestrian tunnel marked "Trains to City". Take the tunnel to elevator center 4, which will bring you to the station. From there, you can purchase a ticket for $5 USD from the automatic ticket machines.
If you have small children or a lot of luggage, this may not be the best option, as you will need to walk to Clinton Station and then to Union Station, which can be time-consuming.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi to Union Station, which is located in the heart of Chicago. This option may be more expensive, but it could be more convenient if you have a lot of luggage.
If you arrive at Terminal 5, you will first need to take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1. The shuttle bus leaves from outside Door 5E.
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Getting to O'Hare Station from Terminal 5
If you're looking to get to O'Hare Station from Terminal 5 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, there are a few options available to you. The first step is to get to O'Hare Station, which is located on the lower level of the airport. Here are the detailed steps to get there from Terminal 5:
- Take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1. The shuttle bus stop is located outside Door 5E.
- From Terminal 1, follow the signs for "Trains to City" and walk along the pedestrian tunnel until you reach elevator center 4.
Once you arrive at O'Hare Station, you have two main options to get to Union Station: by train or by taxi. Here's a breakdown of both options:
Train:
- Purchase a one-way ticket for the CTA train from O'Hare Station to Union Station. Tickets cost $5 USD and can be bought from automatic ticket machines using cash or card.
- The entire train journey, including waiting and walking, takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Keep in mind that this option involves walking and transferring between stations, which can be time-consuming and challenging if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with small children.
Taxi:
- Taking a taxi is another option to get to Union Station from O'Hare Station.
- The total travel time, including the taxi ride and walking, is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
So, when travelling from Terminal 5 to Union Station, you can either take the shuttle bus to Terminal 1 and then the train, or you can opt for a taxi from O'Hare Station. Choose the option that best suits your preferences and budget.
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Taking the CTA train from O'Hare Station
To get to Union Station from O'Hare Airport, you can take the CTA train from O'Hare Station. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Finding O'Hare Station
O'Hare Station is located on the lower level of the airport. If you arrive at Terminals 1, 2, or 3, follow the signs for "Trains to City" and walk along the pedestrian tunnel until you reach elevator center 4. If you arrive at Terminal 5, first take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1, which departs from outside Door 5E.
Purchasing a Ticket
Once you arrive at O'Hare Station, you can purchase a ticket for the CTA train to Union Station. The one-way fare is $3, and you can buy a ticket using cash, debit, or credit card from the farecard machines.
Boarding the Train
After purchasing your ticket, proceed through the turnstiles to the boarding platform. Board the train to Union Station by checking the destination signs on the arriving trains.
The Journey
The entire journey, including walking, waiting, and riding the train, takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you are travelling from or to the International Terminal, add about 5 minutes to the total travel time. The trains are fast and run frequently, making this a convenient option for travelling between O'Hare Airport and Union Station.
Arriving at Union Station
When you arrive at Union Station, you will exit the train and follow the appropriate underpass to your terminal. The walk from the train station to any of the terminals takes about 10 minutes. If you are travelling to or from the International Terminal (Terminal 5), you will need to take the Airport Transit System (ATS) first. The entire walk from the train gate to Union Station takes about 5 minutes.
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Taking a taxi from O'Hare Airport to Union Station
There is no direct train from O'Hare Airport to Union Station, so taking a taxi can also be the most convenient option, especially if you have a lot of luggage. The local drivers at O'Hare Airport do not offer a flat-rate fee for the journey to Union Station. Instead, you will be charged based on the distance travelled or the time it takes to get to the station.
If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, a taxi ride is a more sensible option. Taxis are readily available at O'Hare Airport, and you can also use ride-sharing apps like Uber to request a ride to Union Station.
If you are travelling light, you might want to consider taking the CTA Blue Line train to Clinton Station and then walking the remaining five minutes to Union Station. This option will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes in total and costs $2 to $5 USD for a one-way ticket.
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Walking directions from Union Station to O'Hare
Exit Union Station to Clinton and walk south towards the highway. The entrances to the CTA station are located on Clinton underneath the highway overpass. The walk takes about 5 minutes. Once you're at the CTA station, buy a ticket from the farecard machines (cash, debit or credit cards). The fare is $3. Pass through the turnstiles to the boarding platform and board any train to O'Hare, making sure to check the destination signs.
The Blue Line operates at all times, with trains running every 5-10 minutes. The journey from Union Station to O'Hare takes about 46 minutes. If your flight departs from any of the domestic terminals (Terminal 1, 2 or 3), follow the signs to that terminal. Take the underpass to the right to Terminal 1, the underpass straight ahead to Terminal 2, or the underpass to the left for Terminal 3. The walk from the station to the terminal takes about 10 minutes.
If you're departing from Terminal 5, you'll need to take the Automated People Mover (APM) from Terminal 5 to Terminals 2 or 3. There are only stairs at the Clinton Blue Line stop that serves Union Station, and it's a 2-block walk. The total travel time from Union Station to O'Hare, including all walking, waiting, and riding the train, is about 1 hour 15 minutes (or 1 hour 20 minutes if you're going to the International Terminal).
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Frequently asked questions
The total travel time from O'Hare Airport to Union Station is about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including all walking, waiting, and riding the train. If you are travelling to or from the International Terminal, the journey will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The best way to travel between O'Hare Airport and Union Station is by the CTA train. Trains are fast and run frequently. Tickets cost $5 USD one-way and can be purchased with cash or card from the automatic ticket machines in O'Hare Station.
If you arrive at Terminals 1, 2 or 3, follow the signs for "'Trains to City'" and walk to the O'Hare station. If you arrive at Terminal 5, you will need to take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first. The shuttle bus runs from outside Door 5E.











































