Transfer to/from - Chicago O'Hare airport (ORD)

Trains

The airport is efficiently connected to the city's and region's rail transportation network:

• CTA (Chicago Transit Authority): The Blue Line is the most affordable and direct way to reach downtown Chicago (the Loop) in approximately 40 to 45 minutes. The station is located on the lower level adjacent to Terminal 2, connected via pedestrian walkways to Terminals 1 and 3 (and accessible from Terminal 5 via the free ATS train). The train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every 4 to 10 minutes during peak hours. The fare is USD 5.00 departing from O'Hare, payable at vending machines using cash, a Ventra card, or directly by tapping a contactless credit/debit card.
• Metra: The North Central Service (NCS) line connects the O'Hare Transfer Station with Union Station in downtown Chicago and the northern suburbs in approximately 35 minutes. Service runs Monday through Friday on weekdays (fares typically range from USD 3.75 to USD 6.00). To access the Metra station from any terminal, take the free ATS train to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF).

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Buses

• Pace Buses: Suburban routes 250 (serving Des Plaines and Evanston) and 330 (serving Archer/Harlem) provide scheduled transit to neighboring communities. Boarding is located at bays 8 and 9 of the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF).
• Regional Buses: Several intercity motorcoach operators (including Coach USA / Van Galder and Peoria Charter) provide scheduled runs to destinations across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. All regional coach departures operate exclusively from the bus hall at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), easily reached via the free ATS train.

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Private Door-to-Door Transfers

A convenient option for groups, families, or travelers seeking comfort is to book a transfer online in advance. When using this service, a driver will wait for passengers in the public area after baggage claim holding a sign with their name. The service offers vehicles of various capacities, from standard units to larger SUVs, with direct transfers to downtown Chicago or Midway Airport (MDW). You can book a vehicle for 3 passengers from USD 222.00 (total price per vehicle), or an SUV for 4 passengers (USD 247.00) or 6 passengers (USD 265.00).

Reservations must be made at least 12 hours in advance. The pickup time to be indicated is the scheduled arrival time of the flight. At the airport, the driver will be waiting with a sign bearing your name as soon as you leave the baggage claim area and enter the public area. The driver will normally wait for one hour. If you are delayed for any reason, you should contact the driver using the phone number provided in your booking confirmation. Additional charges may apply in such cases.

For shared transfers, schedules may be adjusted by the provider for operational planning. In such cases, someone should contact you to confirm the revised time.

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Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps

Ground transportation services are officially regulated and organized according to travel mode:

• Taxis: Metered taxi stands are stationed along the outer curbs of the lower level (Arrivals) outside each terminal. Fares to downtown Chicago generally run between USD 40.00 and USD 65.00 (including the USD 4.00 city airport departure tax and standard surcharges). Drive times range from 35 to 70 minutes depending on Kennedy Expressway (I-90) traffic conditions. For personal safety, avoid soliciting or accepting rides from unlicensed individuals outside marked taxi lines.
• Uber and Lyft: Authorized rideshare pickup locations are color-coded on the upper Departures level. At Terminal 2, the primary pickup zone is situated between doors 2A and 2G (orange signage), with a passenger waiting room between concourses 2A and 2D. At Terminal 3, pickup takes place curbside at doors 3G, 3H, 3J, and 3K (green signage). At Terminal 5, pickups occur on the designated upper-level roadway. Standard dynamic pricing typically ranges between USD 45.00 and USD 80.00+.
• Limousines & Executive Cars: Pre-arranged liveries and on-demand town cars board from the center commercial lane on the lower level (Lane 2) across all terminals.

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