Chicago Airport: Train Connection Convenience

Chicago is home to two international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Both airports are conveniently located in the center of the country, with thousands of daily inbound and outbound flights to more than 240 destinations. Luckily for travellers, both airports are easily accessible by train. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line 'L' train connects O'Hare Airport to the downtown Loop, while the CTA Orange Line 'L' train connects Midway Airport to downtown Chicago.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line 'L' train from O'Hare Airport

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line 'L' train is a convenient way to get to and from O'Hare International Airport. The Blue Line is one of the longest local subway/elevated lines in the world, stretching 26.93 miles (43.34 km) with 33 stations. It runs 24/7, connecting O'Hare Airport to downtown Chicago and is one of the longest lines in the Chicago "L" system.

The Blue Line starts at O'Hare with a station below the airport's main parking garage, providing direct pedestrian access to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The line then heads east through Rosemont, with a stop at River Road, before continuing towards the city centre. The train runs in the median of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90), making several stops, including at Cumberland, Harlem, and Jefferson Park.

South of Addison Street, the Blue Line descends into a subway, turning south under Kimball Avenue and making its way through Logan Square. It then emerges above ground onto an elevated structure parallel to Milwaukee Avenue, with three stations: California, Western, and Damen. These stations are unique on the line as they use side platforms instead of island platforms.

The Blue Line then continues southeast under Milwaukee Avenue, making more stops, including at Division, Chicago, and Grand. It then turns east under Lake Street, crossing the Chicago River, and stops at Clark/Lake, where transfers to other 'L' trains are available.

East of Clark/Lake, the Blue Line heads south under Dearborn Street, with stops at Washington, Monroe, and Jackson. Finally, it turns west under Ida B. Wells Drive, with additional stops, before emerging from a portal near UIC-Halsted and continuing west.

The Blue Line offers efficient and direct transportation between O'Hare Airport and downtown Chicago, making it a convenient option for travellers.

The CTA Orange Line 'L' train from Midway Airport

The CTA Orange Line 'L' train connects directly to Chicago Midway International Airport. The Orange Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as part of the Chicago 'L' system. It is approximately 13 miles (21 km) long and runs on elevated and at-grade tracks, serving the Southwest Side of the city.

The Orange Line begins in an open cut at a station on the east side of Midway Airport. From there, the line rises to an elevated viaduct at 55th Street and continues northeast towards the city. It runs on railroad right-of-way near the intersection of 49th Street and Lawndale Avenue, turning east along a CSX Transportation right-of-way to a point east of Western Boulevard. It then curves north and northwest on an embankment structure along CSX right-of-way to Western Boulevard and Pershing Road.

The line then rises again on an elevated structure, crossing Archer Avenue, the CSX tracks, and Western Boulevard before descending to surface level onto the Illinois Central Railroad right-of-way. It continues on surface level, crossing a bridge over Bubbly Creek, a fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, before entering the joint Illinois Central and Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way.

The Orange Line operates between Midway and the Loop during weekdays from 3:30 a.m. to 1:25 a.m., Saturdays from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., and Sundays from 4:30 a.m. to 1:25 a.m. On weekdays, there are 10 trains per hour during rush hour, 8 trains per hour during midday, and 5 trains per hour at night.

The Midway Station, which serves the Orange Line, includes a three-track terminal, a rail yard, a car maintenance facility, an island and side platform, elevators, and escalators and stairs connecting to a moving walkway to the airport. The station's turnstiles are wider than most to accommodate airport passengers and their luggage. The station opened on October 31, 1993, after a long wait by Chicago's southwest side for 'L' access.

The Metra commuter train service from O'Hare

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is served by Metra's commuter rail service. Metra is Chicago's commuter rail service, connecting outlying suburbs to downtown Chicago.

The Metra North Central Service train stops at the O'Hare Transfer Station, which is connected to the airport via the Airport Transit System, a people-mover using Bombardier trainsets. The O'Hare Transfer stop is rarely busy, and in 2018, only 241 people used the station. However, Metra is considering expanding its service to O'Hare Airport, aiming to make it a more significant player.

The current service from Union Station to O'Hare Airport takes 34 minutes, and trains run on the North Central line, Monday through Friday only. Metra's CEO/Executive Director, Jim Derwinski, has expressed interest in improving the service, making it more consistent and reliable, and potentially reducing the time between trains to 20 or 30 minutes.

To enhance the service, Metra may introduce equipment dedicated to O'Hare, such as vehicles designed to handle luggage. Additionally, they are exploring the possibility of express service, which would further reduce travel time. However, introducing new equipment comes with its own set of challenges, including the need for additional land to maintain the trains.

Metra's plans for expansion at O'Hare Airport are part of a broader vision to improve Chicago's rail infrastructure and make it a more competitive transportation hub.

The South Shore Line to South Bend Airport

Chicago has two international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. While neither airport has a direct train service, Chicago is known for its comprehensive train network, and there are train stations within easy reach of both airports.

The South Shore Line replaced the South Shore Line's former terminus at the South Bend Amtrak Station in November 1992. The new station cost $1.8 million and was dedicated on November 20, 1992. The station has been accessible to those with disabilities since its opening.

There are plans to move the South Shore Line station to the west side of the airport, providing a more direct, safer, and efficient route for commuters. This realignment will reduce the distance, eliminate curves, and reduce grade crossings, improving service frequency and making the service more attractive to potential riders. The travel time between South Bend and Chicago is expected to be reduced to just 90 minutes.

The Amtrak train service

Chicago Union Station is the hub for Amtrak's mid-western corridor services and national network trains serving the west. It is the gateway to a national network of trains connecting the continental United States. Amtrak's Midwestern hub connects passengers to major cities in Illinois and the surrounding states of Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as coast-to-coast destinations.

Amtrak offers a comfortable and convenient travel experience with free Wi-Fi on most trains, ample legroom, and no middle seats. They operate more than 300 trains daily in North America, connecting over 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces. They also offer discounted rates for travelling to major events, such as Pride celebrations or sporting events.

All Amtrak trains serving Chicago depart from Union Station, which is easily accessible from O'Hare Airport via the CTA rail. The entire journey, including travel, walking, and waiting, takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The CTA station can be reached by following the signs for "Trains to City" from any domestic terminal or by taking the Airport Transit System (ATS) from the International Terminal. The fare for the CTA rail is $5, and trains run every 5-10 minutes.

Once you arrive at Clinton Station, Union Station is just a 5-minute walk north. Union Station is known for its majestic Great Hall, where Amtrak passengers can wait for their train to be called 45 minutes prior to departure. The station also offers a lactation suite for nursing mothers, priority and assisted boarding areas, and the exclusive Metropolitan Lounge for premium passengers.

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