As a local tour guide for Chicago, allow me to help you get to downtown Chicago from O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
I have a lot of experience traveling to and from the airport.
And, I have put together this helpful article to provide all the information you'll need to reach downtown Chicago.
With these tips, you can get there easily and affordably, even if it's your first time visiting the city.
If you're flying in or out of Midway, I have a post on how to do that as well.
- Train Service
- Bus/Shuttle Van
- Private Car/SUV
- Uber/Taxi
- Deals
- Tips From Locals and Travelers
- Chicago Public Transportation
Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.
BLUE LINE L TRAIN SERVICES FROM O'HARE
I take the L train everywhere, including the O'Hare Airport ORD to downtown Chicago!
It couldn't be easier, since the Chicago Transit Authority is open 24/7 and the Blue Line train runs consistently.
The Blue Line will take you directly from the airport to downtown.
It even makes several stops in popular neighborhoods along the way, such as Wicker Park (Damen stop).
Once I'm onboard the train it usually takes me a little over an hour to reach the Loop downtown.
But, I recommend leaving up to 90 minutes depending on your final destination.
That way you don't feel stressed or rushed if there are any unexpected train delays, which does happen from time to time.
The reason I recommend taking the Blue Line ‘L’ train is the cost savings compared to a rideshare app or taxi.
The train will take you from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago for just $2.50. Round trip that's only $5.
This is the cheapest way to get you to your destination. Did I mention the train is well-lit, clean and comfortable?
I often get seating from O'Hare, since it is the first stop on the train.
I recommend boarding the Blue Line from Terminals 1, 2, and 3 easily by following the signs posted at the airport that say “CTA Trains” or “Trains to the City.”
It’s an easy walk from the baggage claim to the train. It takes me just 5-10 minutes.
BUS AND VAN SHUTTLE SERVICES
There are several shuttle services available at the O'Hare airport
These shuttles depart from the airport every 10-15 minutes servicing many of Chicago’s downtown hotels.
While I don't often use these, since I live in the city, I do know many travelers on our walking tours who say they were perfectly convenient and easy to use.
If you’re looking for the shuttle pick-up point, don't make my mistake!
Recently the pickup point for shuttles has changed from Terminal 5, and are now almost exclusively boarding from Terminal 2 Arrivals curbside.
Some bus services are still running at Terminal 5, so check with your shuttle provider.
But if you have used this service in the past, double-check that they your provider hasn't moved to Terminal 2 since you last rode.
TIP: Check Groupon for some of the best deals and prices on O'Hare shuttle services.
GO Airport Shuttle
If you want to travel in style, I recommend GO Airport Shuttle for a premium and customizable shuttle experience.
This is one of the most popular shuttle services from Chicago airports to the city center.
They offer direct transportation to most downtown hotels, as well as popular business and tourist destinations like McCormick Place, Navy Pier, and Rosemont Convention Center.
Something I learned when booking this shuttle is that there are different options for your travel and budget needs.
There are shared shuttle services, non-stop services, and private car services.
Be sure to check the specific bag requirements for your trip, and read their policies ahead of time to make your day of travel less stressful.
- $25-$30 per person
- Availability: 24 hrs/day
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
Metra
If you want to ride like a local, the Metro is a commuter rail that goes to different suburbs in the Chicagoland area.
There are 11 different rail lines - one of which services a station near the O'Hare Airport on weekdays only.
However, this isn't the quickest or cheapest route to reach Downtown Chicago.
The CTA is much faster and more affordable for that.
I use the Metra when I have family or friends visiting, or when I want to go sightseeing in the Chicagoland area.
There is no direct route using the Metro to and from O'Hare.
People traveling from O'Hare can use the O'Hare Transfer Station on the northeast side of O'Hare at Zemke and Mannheim Roads at 10300 Zemke Rd.
To get to this transfer station, you will need to take a 15-minute airport shuttle from Terminal 1.
Airport Supersaver
Some of my tour guests have shared with me that this bus service is no longer running.
This a shame, since the nice thing about this option was that they offered drop-offs in several locations in both Illinois and Indiana.
I'm leaving it on the list in case you found this article wondering what happened to Airport Supersaver in Chicago.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS
Now let's talk luxury! If you’re looking for a private alternative to shuttles, there are many options for you.
This is great when you are travelling for business, or booking a special guest, VIP, or just looking to treat yourself.
I will cover each of the private cars and limo services you can take from O’Hare or Midway to Downtown Chicago.
I have found that prices range from $25-$45 per person on average depending on which option you choose.
And, most of these private transfers will require you to pay a flat fee for the service.
However, they won’t charge more for additional passengers up to a certain limit.
NOTE: Due to the unpredictable cost of fuel in the United States, these prices will likely fluctuate throughout the year.
Private O’Hare Transfers
- $83 per group of up to 3
- $27.67 per person
- Availability: 24 hours/day
- Duration: 1 hour
- $120 per group of up to 5
- $24 per person
- Availability: 24 hours/day
- Duration: 1 hour
TAKE A TAXI
I don't know about you, but I love taking taxis.
Outside of the O'Hare baggage claim on the curb level, dispatchers are waiting to get you into a car and head to your destination without too much waiting or hassle.
You can find taxis at each terminal, making it a quick and convenient option at the end of long flight.
I have been known to do this when I need to get somewhere fast and can afford the fare.
From O’Hare International, the taxi fare will be approximately $50-$65 + tip and should take about 35 minutes to get downtown.
If you choose to travel with one additional passenger, there is a flat rate of $24 per person for shared taxis.
Visit the O'hare's taxi passenger information page for details on calculating the cost from the airport to your final destination.
Grab a Rideshare Uber/Lyft
Speaking of shared rides, a popular option for many travelers, myself included, is a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft to get from O'hare airport to downtown Chicago.
This service on average costs me $35-$50 from O’Hare International Airport.
Beware of surge pricing during evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events such as the Chicago Marathon.
Take it from me, you do not want to be spending your whole budget on a rideshare when the Blue Line train can get you downtown for less than $5.
I highly recommend that you arrive at the Rideshare pickup area in Terminal 2 prior to ordering your ride.
If you order it from baggage claim, it could take you 10-15 minutes to get there, and you may lose your ride and be charged a fee.
O'Hare has several easily identifiable Zones for rideshare pickup.
When you're onsite, look for your color when ordering your ride.
Then watch for the matching vehicle and license plate (always double-check!) before getting in the car.
If you have never used a rideshare service, note that it will be necessary to download either app onto your smartphone in order to use these rideshare options.
You may need to create a profile and add a payment method, so plan ahead.
DEALS
In this section I list the two places you can easily find transportation deals.
Deal Sites
Before I choose a transfer service, I like to check sites like Groupon and Living Social to see if they are currently offering any deals on airport transfers from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
Both of these sites frequently offer low cost airport transfers, and they also provide additional promotions (typically an extra 10% - 20% off) you can use to save even more money.
Make sure to check both the top and bottom of the page for banners that may include additional savings opportunities!
Tourist Passes
While there aren’t any passes that include transfers from the airport to the downtown Loop, it’s worth noting that you can use a tourist pass to save money on several popular activities in Chicago once you arrive!
If you’re visiting on vacation or you have some time to explore the city, these services could be a great way to ensure you stick to a budget.
All-inclusive passes like the Go City Chicago Pass include admission to dozens of activities for a specific amount of time (1, 2, 3, or 5 days).
The more you use the pass, the more money you’ll save overall.
Be like me and plan all your activities in advance to make sure you can fit them all in! I have several blog posts on how to do this.
If you want to save 50% or more off general admission prices with this pass, it will be important to use it for at least 4-5 attractions per day.
Alternatively, the Go City Chicago Explorer Pass will allow you to pay one flat price for a set number of activities (3, 4, or 5).
At its best, you’ll only pay about $24 per activity with this pass.
While that would be a great deal for services $40-$60 or more, you might want to consider a build-your-own-pass for anything that’s already somewhat affordable.
Here are a few of the most popular attractions included with these tourist passes:
- Hop on Hop off Bus Tour | $41
- Architecture River Cruise | $41
- Navy Pier 4-Ride Pass | $40
- Tall Ship Cruise | $40
- Art Institute of Chicago | $35
- Adler Planetarium | $35
- Field Museum | $34
- SkyDeck Chicago | $25
- LEGOLAND | $28
- Brookfield Zoo | $22
- And more!
For more details, please read our post covering Chicago tourist passes.
Tips From Other Locals and Travelers
When it comes to the subject of transfers between the airport and the city, both locals and travelers are pretty opinionated about which option is best.
Even in our Chicago Travel Tips group on Facebook, most people do not agree on which service you should use.
That said, if you have more specific questions about a transfer, sometimes our users will have some pretty helpful suggestions.
It's perfectly reasonable to be concerned about your safety, and some locals even suggest that this might not be the best option when traveling after dark.
However, there are just as many people who insist that it's perfectly safe to take the train from O'Hare to downtown Chicago.
Here's an example of someone with personal experience taking the train from O'Hare into the city, and they report that their experience was good.
Overall, it's never a bad idea to take caution while traveling on public transportation, but it does seem most travelers and locals agree with me that this method is perfectly safe.
For more helpful advice, make sure to check our Chicago Travel Tips group on Facebook. I'll see you there!
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