How To Get From Chicago O'Hare Airport To Downtown Chicago (All Options)

• 01

  Train

  
  via Curbed

  Heading downtown:

  Getting out of O'Hare Airport to Chicago's downtown is easiest (and cheapest) via the Blue Line Train. The trains run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with more frequent trains on weekdays and at peak hour. Check out the timetable here. 

  To reach the Blue Line Train, follow the overhead signs in each terminal pointing towards "Trains to the City." Passengers in domestic terminals will pass through a pedestrian tunnel to reach the trains. If in Terminal 5, catch the free shuttle bus from the lower level (door 5E) and follow a sign saying "Terminal 1 follow the "Trains to City." 

  Passengers are able to connect to many more Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) options in downtown Chicago. It takes 45 minutes to travel from O'Hare airport to Chicago downtown.

  Passengers are able to buy tickets with cash or card inside the train station, and full tickets cost $5. 

  Heading northeast:

  If you're going towards the Chicagoland area, catch a Metra train to get to your destination. Metra's North Central Service operates on weekdays - check the schedule for trains leaving from O'Hare Airport here. 

  To get to the O'Hare Transfer Station (which gives access to Metra's north central service trains and trains going downtown), go to the upper level of each terminal (or on the lower level of Terminal 5: Door 5E) and catch the shuttle bus marked "Metra." Shuttle buses run every 5-7 minutes 24/7. 

  Additionally, passengers can also get to the Metra station by taking a shuttle bus from the rental car pickup location (on the lower level of each terminal) to the Multi-Modal Facility. The Metra station is across the road from here, and passengers can walk across. 

  Tickets cost around $5 and can be bought at the station. 

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• 02

  Shuttle Bus

  
  via Groupon

  Go Airport Express is the most popular shuttle service to get from O'Hare airport to downtown Chicago. Offering shared rides and non-stop direct services to most Chicago neighborhoods, Go Airport Express leaves every 10-15 minutes from each terminal. 

  One-way tickets cost around $30 and it is recommended to book your seat in advance (although they do accept walk-ins if there are enough seats). Each passenger is allowed to bring one large suitcase.  

  Shuttle buses pick up passengers outside the baggage claim areas on each floor at Door E (Door 1E for Terminal 1, etc.). Make sure to be on the innermost lane of the lower level roadways. 

• 03

  Taxi

  
  via Wbez

  Taxis are available outside baggage claim at each terminal and don't need to be booked in advance (although there might be some waiting time depending on the time of day). Taxi fares to downtown Chicago are usually around $30-$40, and this fee is reduced if passengers share the ride with others. 

  See a full list of taxi companies and their numbers here.

• 04

  Rideshare

  
  via Business Insider

  Ordering an Uber or Lyft is easy to do once you've cleared customs. There are a few loading zones for rideshares at O'Hare airport: Terminal 5 waiting area lower level Door 5C, and Terminal 2 upper level between Door 2A and Door 2D, which includes 4 colored zones: 

  • RED Zone - Outside vestibule 2A
  • BLUE Zone - Outside vestibule 2B
  • ORANGE Zone- Outside vestibule 2C
  • GREEN Zone - Outside vestibule 2D

  Passengers should confirm with their drivers which color zone they will be picked up in. There is a waiting area near the colored zones. A trip from O'Hare airport to downtown Chicago will cost around $30. 

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• 05

  Rent a Car

  
  via Yelp

  Rental cars don't need to be booked in advance. Upon arrival at the airport, passengers should go to the lower level of each terminal outside the baggage claim. From here a free, 24 hour shuttle bus operates which reads: "Rental Cars / Parking Lot F". These shuttles take passengers to the Multi-Modal Facility where passengers can book a rental car. The Multi-Modal Facility's address is: 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., Chicago, IL 60666. See a list of rental car companies operating from O'Hare airport here. 

• 06

  Get Picked Up

  
  via Fly Chicago

  If you have a friend kind enough to pick you up from the airport, they can pick you up from the curb front. Cars aren't allowed to stop for longer than it takes for a passenger to load their bags into the car, so if there's any possibility that your driver will be waiting, they should wait in the Cell Phone Lot, where cars can temporarily park until their passengers arrive. Then, cars can make their way to the curbside knowing that they won't have to wait. 

  The Cell Phone Lot located at West Parking Area off of the terminal Recirculation Road, known as Cab Hill (this is what the driver should put into their directions app). Or they can follow these directions: after entering the airport, follow signs to arrival terminals (1, 2 and 3). Stay left until past Terminal 3, then left again at the fork in the road. The Cell Phone Lot entrance is on the left.

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