Navigating Chicago: Downtown Airport Travel Guide

There are several ways to get from Chicago O'Hare Airport to downtown Chicago, including the bus, train, taxi, or airport transfer service. The bus and train are the most affordable options, but they may not be as convenient as the other services. The airport transfer service is the most convenient and fastest option, but it is also the most expensive. Taxis are a good middle ground between the two, being faster than public transportation but cheaper than airport transfers.

Airport transfer service

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to get from O'Hare Airport to downtown Chicago, you can use an airport transfer service. This is the most convenient and fastest option, with premium vehicles and professional drivers. You can sit back and relax while you're transported directly to your destination.

The bus and train are the most affordable options, but they may not be as convenient as the other services. You'll need to navigate schedules and routes, and you may need to transfer to another mode of transportation to reach your final destination. The Chicago Transit Authority's elevated train, called the L, provides service directly to and from O'Hare Airport via the Blue Line. However, if you have a lot of checked luggage, note that the trains do not have luggage racks, and some of the stations are only accessible via stairs.

Taxis are another option, and they are available 24 hours a day. You can expect the trip to take between 25 and 90 minutes, depending on your destination. Trips to downtown neighbourhoods, including Streeterville, River North and Gold Coast, take roughly 30 to 40 minutes.

Taxi

If you're looking for a cheap and quick way to get from O'Hare Airport to downtown Chicago, a taxi is a good option. While it may not be as premium as an airport transfer service, it's still faster than other public transportation options and is available 24 hours a day.

You can find taxi stands outside of baggage claim on the lower level at each terminal and the inner commercial lane at Terminal 5. Expect the trip to take between 25 and 90 minutes, depending on your destination. Trips to downtown neighbourhoods, including Streeterville, River North and Gold Coast, take roughly 30 to 40 minutes.

Bus

If you're looking for a cheap way to get from O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago, the bus is one of four options available to you. The other options are the train, airport transfer service, and taxi service. The bus is the most affordable option, but it may not be as convenient as the other services. You'll need to navigate schedules and routes, and you may need to transfer to another mode of transportation to reach your final destination.

The Chicago Transit Authority's elevated train, called the L, provides service directly to and from the airport via the Blue Line. However, if you have a lot of checked luggage, note that the trains do not have luggage racks, and some of the stations are only accessible via stairs. The Blue Line can take you to and through downtown en route to Forest Park or UIC-Halsted, depending on the time of day.

Taxis are available from the airport and can accommodate most groups with sedans and larger-size cabs. You can expect the trip to downtown to take roughly 30 to 40 minutes.

Train

If you're looking to get from Chicago's O'Hare Airport to downtown by train, you can take the Blue Line CTA train from the airport station. This train runs 24/7 and will take you directly to downtown, stopping in popular neighbourhoods such as Wicker Park and Logan Square. The Blue Line is also the cheapest option, at $5.

If you're flying into Midway Airport, you can take the Orange Line CTA train to get downtown. This costs $2.50 and takes under half an hour. The train station can be found by following the signs in the pedestrian tunnel near elevator centre 4.

The "L" train is another option for both airports and is the most budget-friendly choice. However, it takes slightly longer.

Chicago Transit Authority's elevated train

The Chicago Transit Authority's elevated train, known as the L, provides a direct service to and from O'Hare International Airport via the Blue Line. The Blue Line can take you to and through downtown en route to Forest Park or UIC-Halsted, depending on the time of day. You can catch the Blue Line directly from Terminals 1, 2 or 3, or via a free airport shuttle train from Terminal 5.

The L train does not have luggage racks and some stations are only accessible via stairs, so it may not be the best option if you have a lot of checked luggage.

Other options for travelling from O'Hare Airport to downtown Chicago include the bus, taxi, or airport transfer service. The bus and train are the most affordable options, but they may not be as convenient as other services. You'll need to navigate schedules and routes, and you may need to transfer to another mode of transportation to reach your final destination. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and can accommodate most groups with sedans and larger-size cabs. The trip to downtown neighbourhoods usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes. The airport transfer service is the most convenient and fastest option, with premium vehicles and professional drivers.

Frequently asked questions