O'Hare Airport is connected to downtown Chicago by a direct subway line. There are also a large number of car rental companies and, of course, taxis and the mobile apps Uber and Lyft.
| Price | Travel time | |
|---|---|---|
| Metro - Blue Line | 5 usd | 39 minutes |
| Taxi | 35 usd | 60 minutes |
| Uber, Lyft | 30 usd | 60 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.
There is a blue line to the airport that takes passengers directly to Downtown Chicago.
The subway station is located in the common underground of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Terminal 5, you must first take the airport's free automated train to the subway.
There are two ways to purchase a ticket:
- Paper ticket from the machine - cash and card payment.
- Contactless - attaching your card/mobile/watch to the "Ventra" reader at the turnstile
Ticket prices are as follows:
- 5 usd - 1 ride on the way from the airport
- 2,50 usd - 1 ride on the way to the airport
- 5 usd - Unlimited tickets for 24 hours for all subway lines and CTA buses
Although it seems illogical, the day pass for 5 usd can also be used for travel from the airport, where it is the same price as a single ride ticket.
For detailed fare information in Chicago, visit the official website: transitchicago.com/fares.
- Travel time to downtown (Clark/Lane station): 39 minutes
- Frequency: 6-10 minutes (60 minutes at night)
- Hours of operation: 24/7
- Connection Search: transitchicago.com/planatrip
Rent a car
If you're planning to head straight from the airport to more than just downtown Chicago, renting a car is the best option.
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 located in the Multi-Modal Facility, which is accessible from all terminals by the automated "Airport Transit System" train that runs 24 hours. The journey is free and takes approximately 10 minutes from the furthest terminal.
Taxi
The regular taxis are always yellow or white and always stop right at the arrivals hall exit of each terminal.
Taxis run according to a 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 35 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 30 usd.
Local buses
The airport is also served by buses operated by Pace, which transport passengers to Chicago's northern and western suburbs.
They are convenient for traveling to cheaper accommodations on the outskirts of the city or to the university in Evanston, for example.
The buses do not go directly to the terminals, but terminate at the Multi-Modal Facility, where a free automated train runs from all terminals (about 5-10 minutes).
A bus ticket (to and from the airport) costs 2,25 usd when paying with a contactless card by swiping it on the reader at the driver. If you pay cash, the fare costs 2,50 usd.
- Line 250 - goes to Evanston in the north of the city, schedule: pacebus.com/route/250
- Line 330 - goes around the eastern suburbs of Chicago, schedule: pacebus.com/route/330
Long Distance Buses
In addition to local public transportation, long-distance buses operate at the Multi-Modal Facility station, which is accessible from the terminals by a free automated train.
Most services are provided by CoachUSA. For timetables and online ticketing, visit coachusa.com. Buses run primarily to destinations in Wisconsin.
- Milwaukee - every 2 hours, 80 minutes, cost 35 usd
- Madison - every 2 hours, journey time 3 hours, price 37 usd
- Rockford - once every hour, journey time 70 minutes, price 27 usd
Airport Transit System
An automated train travels through the public area connecting all terminals to each other and continues on to the Multi-Modal Facility building, where bus routes stop and all rental car companies are located.
The train is free to ride and travels the complete route in 10 minutes.
Frequency during the day is 3-5 minutes, and 10-15 minutes at night. The Airport Transit System operates 24/7.
