The journey to the centre couldn't be easier. Just outside the terminal, hop on the orange subway line for a 30-minute 2,50 usd ride to the heart of Chicago.
| Price | Travel time | |
|---|---|---|
| Subway - Orange Line | 2,50 usd | 30 minutes |
| Taxi | 18 usd | 40 minutes |
| Uber, Lyft | 15 usd | 40 minutes |
Metro "L"
Chicago's subway system is called the "L" and you don't really come across the name "subway" much. The abbreviation CTA, after the name of the transit company, is also used on directional and information boards.
Midway Airport is served by the Orange Line, which takes passengers directly to Downtown Chicago.
The subway station is located directly in front of the terminal.
Ticket prices
There are two ways to purchase a ticket:
- Paper ticket from a vending machine - cash and card payment.
- Contactless - Attach your card/mobile/watch to the "Ventra" reader at the turnstile
Ticket prices are as follows:
- 2,50 usd - 1 ride, valid for 90 minutes and a maximum of 3 metro rides (not valid for transferring to buses)
- 5 usd - unlimited 24-hour ticket for all subway and CTA bus lines - price valid only when paying with your own contactless payment
For detailed information on transportation and pricing, please see our guide to Chicago.
Timetables
Subway trains run from 4:00 am to 1:00 am, conveniently covering the entire schedule. During rush hour, you won't have to wait more than 10 minutes, while off-peak hours or on weekends, the maximum wait is 15 minutes.
- Travel time to the city centre - 30 minutes
- Last train from the airport - 1:05
- First train from Clark/Lake station - 3:30 (weekdays); 4:30 (Saturdays); 4:59 (Sundays and public holidays)
Find connections and detailed schedules at transitchicago.com/orangeline.
Car rental
If you're heading straight from the airport to more than just downtown Chicago, your best option is to rent a car.
Always book a car online in advance to ensure availability of a specific model and a significantly lower price.
Compare prices - book a car on booking.com
A typical price for a 7-day rental is around 350 usd. For better cars, such as convertibles, then from 450 usd upwards.
The hub of all car rental companies is in a building north of the airport, reached by a free shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes 24/7.
Taxi
Regular taxis are always yellow or white and always park directly at the arrivals hall exit at each terminal.
Taxis run by meter and the price is calculated by combining the distance travelled and the journey time.
Depending on the traffic situation, expect the price to Downtown to be around 18 usd. You can pay by card or cash.
Uber, Lyft
Ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft also operate at O'Hare.
The locations of these services are marked as Rideshare.
Fares are slightly lower than regular taxis, and depending on current demand, expect fares to Downtown to be around 15 usd.
Local buses
There are a large number of local bus routes around the airport that will take you mainly to the surrounding neighborhoods, and you won't get much use out of them for getting downtown.
A bus ticket (to and from the airport) costs 2,25 usd if you pay with a contactless card at the driver's reader. If you pay cash, the fare costs 2,50 usd.
For timetables for all routes, visit transitchicago.com/schedules.
- Line 47 - runs along 47th Street to Lake Michigan, can transfer to the Red or Green subway line at the 47th station
- Line 54B - goes north to the "Cicero" station, where you can transfer to the pink subway line
- Line 55 - goes down 55th Street to Lake Michigan, you can transfer to the Red or Green subway line at Garfield Station
- Line 59 - runs along 59th Street to Lake Michigan
- Line 63 - runs on 63rd Street to Lake Michigan, can transfer to the Red Line at 63rd or the Green Line at Ashland Branch
