This post is about how to get to downtown Chicago from O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
If you're flying in or out of Midway, we have a post on that as well.
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
Yes, you can take the L Train from O'Hare Airport ORD to downtown Chicago!
The Chicago Transit Authority is open 24/7 and the Blue Line will take you all the way from the airport to the center of town.
The journey should take you between 60 - 90 minutes depending on your final destination.
The Blue Line ‘L’ train will take you from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago for about $5.00.
This is the cheapest way to get you to your destination.
You can get the Blue Line from Terminals 1, 2, and 3 easily by just 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 in just a matter of minutes.
BUS AND VAN SHUTTLE SERVICES
This section will cover some of the best shuttle services available in Chicago.
These shuttles depart from the airport every 10-15 minutes servicing many of Chicago’s downtown hotels.
If you’re looking for the shuttle pick-up point, you can find it just outside the baggage claim area at Door 1E for Terminal 1, Door 2E for Terminal 2, Door 3E for Terminal 3, and Door 5E for Terminal 5.
TIP: Check Groupon for some of the best deals and prices on O'Hare shuttle services.
GO Airport Shuttle
This is one of the most popular shuttle services from Chicago airports to the city center, and they offer direct transportation to most downtown hotels.
Customers are allowed 1 standard-sized suitcase and a carry-on each, but anything extra may require a private van.
In order to ensure the safety of your baggage, it will not be taken from your presence at any time.
- $30 per person
- Availability: 24 hrs/day
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Not currently available as of August 2022
Metra
The Metro is a commuter rail that goes to a variety of 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. While the Metra is a great option for visiting family, friends or sights in the Chicagoland area, it isn't the quickest or cheapest route to reach Downtown Chicago.
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 north east side of O'Hare at Zemke and Mannheim Roads at 10300 Zemke Rd. To get to this transfer station; you'd take about a 15 minute airport shuttle from Terminal 1.
Airport Supersaver
This bus service provides airport transfers to and from both O’Hare and Midway.
Customers are permitted up to 2 bags for free, but any additional baggage may cost extra.
The nice thing about this option is that they offer drop-offs in several locations in both Illinois and Indiana.
- Prices start at $19
- Availability: Daily
- Duration: 1 - 4 hours (depending on drop-off point)
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
- Not currently available as of August 2022
PRIVATE TRANSFERS
If you’re looking for a private alternative to shuttles, there are many options to choose from.
This section will cover each of the private cars and limos you can take from O’Hare or Midway to Downtown Chicago.
Prices range from $25-$45 per person on average depending on which option you choose.
Most private transfers will require you to pay a flat fee for the service, but they won’t charge anything more for additional passengers up to a certain limit.
We’ll cover some of the best options and how many people are allowed per group below.
NOTE: Due to the unpredictable cost of fuel in the United States as of 2022, these prices will likely fluctuate throughout the year.
Private O’Hare Transfers
- $226.67 per group of up to 2
- $113.34 per person
- Availability: 24 hours/day
- Duration: 1 hour
- $266.67 per group of up to 6
- $44.45 per person
- Availability: 24 hours/day
- Duration: 1 hour
- $384.20 per group of up to 10
- $38.42 per person
- Availability: Daily
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
TAKE A TAXI
Outside of the airport terminal, dispatchers are waiting to get you into a car and head to your destination without too much waiting or hassles.
From O’Hare International, the taxi fare will be approximately $50 + tip and should take about 35 minutes.
If you choose to travel with one additional passenger, there is a flat rate of $24 per person for shared taxis.
Visit the City of Chicago’s taxi passenger information page for details on calculating the cost from the airport to your final destination.
Grab an Uber/Lyft
Speaking of shared rides, you can also use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft to get from either airport to downtown Chicago.
This service will set you back about $30-$40 from O’Hare International Airport.
In order to find your Uber or Lyft driver, make sure to follow the Rideshare Pickup sign nearest to your terminal.
It will be necessary to download either app onto your smartphone in order to use these rideshare options.
DISCOUNTS
This section lists the two places you can easily find transportation discounts.
Discount Sites
Before you choose a transfer service, you may want 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 discount sites frequently offer airport transfers, and they also provide additional coupon codes (typically an additional 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 coupons you can use to increase the amount of your discount!
Tourist Passes
While there aren’t any passes that include transfers from the airport to the city center, it’s worth noting that you can use a tourist pass to save money on several popular activities in Chicago.
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.
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 obviously 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.
RELATED POSTS:
