How to Get to Downtown Chicago from ORD

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is actually very well-connected to Chicago and nearby Chicagoland suburbs, and it’s super easy to get into the city from the airport using public transportation if you want. The only thing that’s a bit of a bummer is the time element, as ORD is way out of city limits and it takes about an hour (or longer) to get back into central Chicago.

Still, if you’re looking for a guide on how to navigate from the airport to Chicago proper, this post is for you! I’ve flown into ORD twice and used public transit both times to get into the city, so I’ve pulled from my personal experience to write this post. Keep reading for more info!

Note: For all these routes, I’m going to use the Chicago Union Station (Amtrak) as the termination point, as it’s very central and easy to connect to other lines or routes within the city.

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Train

Chicago has two major trains connecting to the airport: first you have Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Blue Line (a subway), and then you have Metra’s commuter train line (aboveground).

The Blue Line (aka “L Train”) takes about 47 minutes to get from ORD to the Chicago Union Station and costs $5 USD. You can pay with a contactless card (including Apple Wallet and Google Pay), or else a Ventra pass.

This is how I got out to the airport the first time I stayed in Chicago, and while the subway station was a little grimy, the train itself was fine and I got to the airport exactly as planned.

The Metra line picks up passengers at the Multi-Modal Facility (out near the parking lots) and drops them off at Union Station in about 40 for $3.75 USD. You can buy a ticket at the vending machine at the station, using a credit card, or from the conductor on the train.

However, since the Metra is a commuter line, it only runs a few times in the morning and then again in the afternoon (PDF schedule here), with the last train leaving ORD at 4:36 pm. So if you’re not willing to wait around for the next train, you might as well take the L Train instead.

Public Bus

Don’t take the bus! You’d have to transfer several time along several routes, and it’s just not worth the headache.

However, if you’re staying outside of the main part of Chicago, in one of the suburbs, then riding on a PACE Bus line might be worth it for you. You can get pretty far out into the suburbs for only $2 USD, and the buses are comfortable.

I took a PACE bus out to Evanston for one of my catsits, and it was great! The only annoying part was getting out to the multi-modal facility, as it’s pretty far out from the main part of the airport.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

Chicago has good coverage for Uber and Lyft, and you can easily get a ride to the airport to/from anywhere in Chicago proper. It’ll cost you about $75+ USD, which is pretty pricey, but it’s also the most direct way to get there. If you have a large suitcase and don’t feel like dragging it around a subway station, this might be the best option for you.

Rideshare pickups at the airport are at Terminal 2, on the Upper Level waiting area. Driving into the city depends on traffic, but it’ll take at least 45 minutes.

Taxi

Yes, ORD still has a taxi line! It’s located at the lower level outside of Baggage Claim at every terminal– there are huge signs pointing the way, so it’s easy to find. Taxis fares are metered, but it’s about an average fare of $50 USD to get to downtown Chicago.

You can also try your luck with shared taxis, where you split the cost between yourself and a few other passengers. That’ll cost you a bit less, about $24/per person to get to Downtown. However, that depends on if there’s enough people trying to get a shared taxi to actually split with you…

Private Transfer

If you don’t want to use Uber/Lyft or chance a taxi, you could also book a private transfer for about $75 (or a little bit more). If you’re traveling with a group, this is a great option for you!

Your driver will come pick you up at the Cell Phone Lot ​as they can’t wait for long at the actual pick-up spot closer to the terminals.

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