Owais Crawford
Chicago O'Hare International Airport can be accessed by train via the Metra commuter rail operator. However, it is worth noting that the Metra station, known as the O'Hare Transfer stop, is located behind the airport's rental car building, the Multi-Modal Facility, and is not directly connected to the airport. To get to the airport proper, passengers need to take the Airport Transit System or the people mover, which connects the Multi-Modal Facility to the terminals. The Metra North Central line that serves O'Hare airport operates on a limited schedule, with 12 trains running from Monday to Friday, mostly during rush hour, and no service on weekends or holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is there a Metra train line to O'Hare Airport? | Yes, the NCS line goes to O'Hare Airport. |
| How often does the train run? | Very infrequently, only 12 trains Monday through Friday on the NCS line. There is no service on weekends or holidays. |
| How convenient is the train? | The train station is not very close to the airport. It is behind the Multi-Modal Facility, which is next to the rental car building. From there, you need to take the tram to the airport. |
| How busy is the train? | The train station is rarely busy. |
| Are there other options? | Yes, there is a Pace bus route that runs much more frequently and ends up at the same spot as the Metra train. |
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What You'll Learn
The NCS line to O'Hare runs very infrequently
The NCS line is the only commuter line in the Metra system that serves O'Hare International Airport, but it does so with a very limited number of trains. As of February 15, 2024, Metra operates 14 trains (seven in each direction) on weekdays, with all trains running the full route from Antioch to Union Station. The NCS line shares tracks with the Milwaukee District West Line between Union Station and River Grove, but it does not stop at any intermediate stations along this section.
The Metra stop at O'Hare is not particularly close to the airport, and passengers need to allow extra time to transfer to the airport via the people mover train. The O'Hare Transfer stop, as it is officially known, is rarely busy, and the NCS line has seen a decline in ridership over the years.
The limited schedule of the NCS line can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the line runs on the Canadian National Waukesha Subdivision, and CN already uses the tracks extensively for freight, leaving little surplus capacity for Metra. Secondly, the line is sandwiched by other properties, making it difficult and expensive to add additional tracks to increase capacity.
Despite the infrequent service, the NCS line can still be a convenient option for those living in the suburbs north of O'Hare, such as Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, or Evanston, who have easy access to the Pace route on Dempster Ave, which runs all day, every day, approximately every 20 minutes.
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The Metra station is far from the airport
The Metra station is far from O'Hare Airport. The NCS line goes to O'Hare, but the Metra stop is quite a distance from the main part of the airport, located near Terminal 5. Travellers will need to allow extra time to get on the people mover if flying domestically. The O'Hare Transfer stop is rarely busy, and the station is behind the airport's rental car building, the Multi-Modal Facility. From here, travellers can take the tram to the airport.
The NCS line has a very limited schedule, operating only during weekday rush hour, with no service on Saturdays or Sundays. The line only runs a few times per day, and the commute is much easier with other options such as the Pace bus, which has a much higher frequency and ends up at the same spot as the Metra.
The Route 59 Metra Station is also far from O'Hare Airport, with a driving distance of 30-31 miles. The train and subway journey from Route 59 to O'Hare takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. There is no direct train from Route 59 to O'Hare, but there are services that arrive at O'Hare via Clinton-Blue.
Overall, while it is technically possible to catch the Metra train from O'Hare Airport, the station is quite far from the airport itself, and the limited schedule of the NCS line may make other transportation options more appealing.
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The train only runs Monday to Friday
It is possible to catch the Metra train from O'Hare Airport, but there are several limitations to be aware of. Firstly, the train service is extremely limited, with only 12 trains running to and from the airport on weekdays only. There is no service on weekends or holidays.
The Metra North Central Line serves O'Hare Airport, but the schedule is very restricted. The train runs Monday to Friday, mainly during rush hour, with no service outside of the peak 9-5 commuting hours. This means that if your travel plans fall outside of these times, you will need to consider alternative transport options, such as the Pace bus route, which runs all day, every day, with a bus arriving approximately every 20 minutes.
The Metra station at O'Hare Airport is known as the O'Hare Transfer stop and is located behind the Multi-Modal Facility, where the rental cars are kept. To get to the airport proper, you will need to take the Airport Transit System, a people-mover that connects the train station to the airport terminals. This adds extra time to your journey, so it is important to plan accordingly.
While taking the Metra train from O'Hare Airport is possible, the limited schedule means that it may not always be a reliable option for travellers. It is important to check the train schedule in advance to ensure that the service is running on the day of your travel. For those travelling on weekends or holidays, it is essential to arrange alternative transportation, as the Metra train will not be in operation.
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The O'Hare Transfer stop is rarely busy
Yes, you can catch the Metra train from O'Hare Airport, but the service is limited. The Metra station at O'Hare Airport is called the O'Hare Transfer stop, and it is rarely busy. This is likely because the service only runs on weekdays and mostly during rush hour, with no trains on Saturdays or Sundays. The O'Hare Transfer stop is served by the NCS line, which has a very limited schedule. The first train arrives at 6:17 am, and the last train arrives at 6:34 pm. The NCS line runs from Antioch to Chicago Union Station, with a journey time of around an hour. The O'Hare Transfer stop is located behind the airport's rental car building, and passengers can take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to get to the terminals. The ATS is an automated train network that runs continuously, covering a 3-mile loop in about 10 minutes. However, it does not serve Terminal 5, which is a hub for international flights. Passengers travelling to or from Terminal 5 need to use the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB), which operates on a restricted schedule.
The limited service of the Metra train to O'Hare Airport suggests that it is not a primary transportation option for many travellers. The schedule caters primarily to weekday commuters during rush hour, indicating that the service is geared towards those with regular working hours. For travellers with different schedules or those arriving or departing on weekends, the Metra train is not a viable option. This limited service contributes to the O'Hare Transfer stop being rarely busy.
Another factor that may contribute to the low footfall at the O'Hare Transfer stop is the availability of alternative transportation options. O'Hare Airport is served by various bus routes, providing travellers with more frequent and flexible choices. The Pace bus, for example, runs all day, every day, with buses arriving every 20 minutes or so. This regularity offers a more reliable alternative to the limited Metra train service. Additionally, ridesharing options such as Uber, cabs, and Lyfts are also popular choices, especially for those living in close proximity to the airport. These alternatives may be more attractive to travellers who value convenience and timely service.
While the O'Hare Transfer stop may be rarely busy, it is still a viable option for a specific subset of travellers. For those living in the suburbs along the NCS line, such as Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, or Evanston, the Metra train provides a convenient and cost-effective way to get to and from the airport during peak hours on weekdays. Additionally, for travellers who are already familiar with the transit system and can plan their journeys accordingly, the Metra train can be a pleasant experience, especially during nice weather. However, for travellers who are unfamiliar with the system or have tight connections, the complexity of navigating the airport's infrastructure can be challenging, potentially leading them to choose other transportation methods.
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The Pace bus is a good alternative
The Metra train does serve O'Hare International Airport, but only with 12 trains on weekdays, Monday through Friday, and there is no service on weekends or holidays. The Metra station at O'Hare, known as the O'Hare Transfer stop, is located behind the Multi-Modal Facility, where the rental cars are kept, and is a fair distance from the main part of the airport. This means that passengers arriving by train need to take the people mover or the Airport Transit System (ATS) to get to the airport terminal, which can add 20-30 minutes to their journey.
Pace bus routes that serve O'Hare Airport include Route 250 and Route 330. Route 250 serves the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), while Route 330 serves the Rosemont CTA Blue Line Station, which is one stop away from the airport. Route 330 also connects to the Metra North Central Service Rosemont Station, providing another option for travellers looking to take the train.
For those who live north of O'Hare in areas like Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, or Evanston, the Pace bus is a particularly attractive option, as there is a route on Dempster Ave that runs all day, every day, approximately every 20 minutes. This provides a reliable public transit option for commuters who need to get to and from the airport outside of the limited hours of the Metra train service.
In summary, the Pace bus is a good alternative to the Metra train for travellers heading to and from O'Hare Airport, offering direct service to the airport, convenient connections to the CTA Blue Line, and the flexibility of no luggage restrictions. With its frequent service and widespread routes, the Pace bus provides a reliable option for commuters, especially those living in areas north of O'Hare Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can catch the Metra train from O'Hare Airport. The Metra station is officially known as the O'Hare Transfer stop.
The Metra train from O'Hare Airport runs on a very limited schedule, with 12 trains running from Monday to Friday only. There is no service on weekends or holidays.
The Metra train from O'Hare Airport stops at Union Station in Chicago.
The O'Hare airport people mover system connects the Multi-Modal Facility, next to the Metra station, to the airport terminals.
