Learn how to get from O'Hare and Midway airports to downtown Chicago, rail or bus station: modes of transportation, their costs and where to buy a ticket.
O'Hare International Airport is located 32 km northwest of downtown Chicago within the administrative boundaries of the city, Illinois, USA. "Midway" is located 13 km from the center of Chicago.
How to get to downtown Chicago from O'Hare Airport
Interstate 190 and Interstate 90 lead to Chicago. Those who prefer to travel by public transportation will have no problem getting into the city.
Bus
Buses No. 250 and 330 run from the airport. Their stop is near Hall E, which can be accessed from other terminals by ATS trains. A detailed route and schedule can be found on the official page of the port.
Bus No. 250 goes to Des Plaines Station and into the City of Evanston via Dempster Avenue. The schedule is 05:20-23:25.
#330 goes to the western suburbs of Chicago: Metra BNSF Line La Grange train station, Countryside Plaza, etc. Operating hours are 05:20-22:10 (Sunday off).
Ticket price is $2-2.25 USD, available from the bus driver or at special terminals at the airport.
Trip duration is about 40 minutes, depending on the destination.
Trains
There is a train station near the airport that provides a connection to Chicago. Commuter rail service is provided by Metra.
To get to the train station from the terminals, you can use the airport shuttle (Airport Transit System). It leaves from parking lot E (Kiss-N-Fly) (5:00 to 23:00 every 7 minutes). You need to get to the O'Hare Transfer Station. Metra's North Central Service rail line is located here. More information is located here.
The route between the airport and the city is the blue line. From the O'Hare Airport station, the train passes Jefferson Park, Logan Square, Clark/Lane, UIC-Halsted, Cicero and Forest Park stops.
The fare from Port O'Hare to downtown Chicago (Washington Street) is $9 USD. You can buy a ticket at special vending machines.
Operation schedule. Electric trains are available from 06:00 to 19:30, running every 8-10 minutes. It takes 40 minutes to get to downtown Chicago.
Taxis
Taxi stands are located on the lower level of each terminal. Contact information, as well as a price list of services, is posted on the airport website.
The fare will be around 40 USD.
The duration of the trip is about 30-40 minutes.
Transfer
A pre-booked shuttle service is a comfortable way to get to the city. In this case, you will be met with a nameplate in the arrivals hall.
Trip price - from 125 USD per car (1-3 passengers).
There are eleven companies providing services in this area at the airport. You can book a car in advance on the air terminal website.
The cost of a rental per day is about 77 USD.
How to get to the Chicago train and bus station from O'Hare Airport
To get to the train station, you'll need to take a Metra commuter train to either Union Station or Ogilvie/Northwestern Station (which is a nearby station). Read all the transportation information above.
Chicago buses depart from Port Authority, Brooklyn Downtown, and GW Bridge stations. You can get there by shuttle or cab. Contacts and cost were listed earlier.
How to get to downtown Chicago from Midway Airport
There are many ways to get into the city from Midway International Airport. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) transit buses and trains are the most budget-friendly way to transfer to the city. You can also get to Chicago by Pace Bus. More comfortable options are shuttles and cabs.
CTA (orange line)
For more information on the route and cost, see the site.
Train
The station is located east of the airport terminal building (Midway Transportation Center) and is connected to the airport by a passageway. Follow the signs at the airport labeled "CTA Trains."
Route. Orange Line trains run from the airport to downtown. They travel clockwise around the Chicago Loop neighborhood and proceed back to the airport.
Duration. Travel time from the airport to downtown is 20-25 minutes. Trains run from 4:00 to 1:00 every day.
Cost. Ticket price ranges around 2.5 USD, more here. The ticket can be purchased at special terminals within the airport.
Buses
CTA Buses offers nine bus routes that serve Midway. The stop is at the Midway Transportation Center, in the same location as the CTA train station.
You can find detailed information about CTA bus routes on the website.
Pace Buses
The Pace public transportation system offers seven routes to Chicago's suburbs. For more information, visit the site. The stop is located next to the Midway Transportation Center.
Cost. When paying in cash, the fare is $2.25 USD. You can also buy a ticket at special terminals on the airport grounds
Transfers
The shuttle parking lot is located on the lower level of the domestic and international terminals near Gate 3.
Cost from 35 USD per car (1-3 people). Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. You can do so at site or by phone - 1-888-284-3826.
Taxi
Taxi counters are located on the lower level of the terminal. Make sure your cab has a working meter that will calculate the fare for the trip based on time and mileage.
Cost. The average fare from Midway Airport to downtown Chicago is $35-40 USD.
Taxis can be ordered by phone:
American United Cab Association - 773-327-6161;
Blue Ribbon Association - 773-508-9100;
Checker Taxi Association - 312-243-2537.
The Shared Ride service is available for passengers. With it, you can share a trip and pay a flat rate for certain destinations. Fares:
City center - 18 USD per person;
McCormick Place - 18 USD per person;
O'Hare International Airport - $35 USD per person.
Car Rental
Car rental outlets are located on the lower level near Gate 2. There are nine firms at the airport providing services in this area, some of them:
Avis - (800) 327-9633;
Alamo - (800) 331-1212;
Budget. (800) 527-7000.
Cost: from 42 USD per car (1-4 passengers).
How to get to the Chicago train and bus station from Midway Airport
CTA buses run to Union Station. You can also get there by surface subway. See above for all transportation information.
Chicago buses leave from Port Authority, Brooklyn Downtown, and GW Bridge stations. You can get there by shuttle or cab. Contacts and cost were listed earlier.
