ORD to Downtown Chicago: Blue Line, Taxi, Rideshare Costs

The Blue Line is what the airport calls the easiest and most affordable public transit option. It runs 24 hours a day, every day, with more frequent trains on weekday mornings and evenings. All trains from the O'Hare station go through downtown on their way to Forest Park (during some hours, to UIC-Halsted).

• Ride time: the CTA says the normal trip from O'Hare to downtown is 40 to 45 minutes. O'Hare's Terminal 5 map says about 45 minutes.
• Fare: $5 from O'Hare, deducted on entry at the O'Hare station. A regular 'L' fare is $2.50 at every other station. You can pay with a Ventra account, a Ventra card or a contactless card or phone wallet. Fares change, so check transitchicago.com.
• Passes: an unlimited pass boards at O'Hare at no extra charge. The CTA lists a 1-day pass at $5 and a 3-day pass at $15. A Ventra single-trip ticket costs $5 at O'Hare and is good for up to 3 rides within 2 hours.
• Transfers: free, up to two additional rides within two hours with the same payment.
• Where: the O'Hare station is on the lower level of the parking garage, in the concourse that connects to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
• Terminals 1, 2 and 3: follow Trains to City signs through the pedestrian tunnels on the Basement Level.
• Terminal 5: ride the ATS to Terminal 3 or 2 first, then follow the same signs. The ATS is free.
• Tickets: vending machines outside the station take cash or credit.
• Train frequency: the CTA publishes no fixed interval on its airport page. Check the Blue Line timetable on transitchicago.com for the next departure.

The Loop is 17 miles from Terminal 5 by road. A no-traffic drive takes about 33 minutes, according to OpenStreetMap routing data. Real trips take longer at rush hour.

• To the Loop by Blue Line: 40 to 45 minutes, per the CTA. Downtown stops include Grand, Clark/Lake, Washington, Monroe, Jackson, LaSalle and Clinton. Clark/Lake and Jackson connect to other lines, and Washington connects to the Red Line.
• To downtown or McCormick Place by taxi: the city lists a $30 shared flat fare as of July 1, 2026. The airport quotes an average fare of $50 to downtown.
• Official drive times to other neighborhoods are not published. Use your rideshare app for a live estimate.

Taxi stands are on the lower level curb, outside baggage claim, at every terminal. Use the stands so you get a licensed driver. Do not accept rides from drivers outside the stand or on the departure level.

The airport says the average fare to downtown is $50, and it depends on traffic. All taxis should have a working meter.

For a wheelchair accessible taxi, call 1-888-928-2227.

New City of Chicago taxi rates took effect July 1, 2026:

• Base rate: $3.25 for the first 1/9 mile.
• Each additional 1/9 mile: $0.31.
• Elapsed time: $0.31 per 45 seconds.
• Illinois airport departure fee: $4.00 on taxi fares leaving airports.
• Rush hour surcharge (3:30 PM to 7:00 PM): $2.50.
• Overnight surcharge (8:00 PM to 6:00 AM): $1.00.
• Card payment fee: $0.50.
• Additional passengers aged 12 to 64: $1.00 for the first extra passenger and $0.50 for each one after.
• Fuel surcharge per passenger fee, by fare before taxes and fees: $1 up to $20.00, $2 from $20.01 to $40.00, $3 for $40.01 or more. The city says this fee follows a separate public notice.

The city also lists a shared airport flat fare from O'Hare to Downtown or McCormick Place of $30 as of July 1, 2026. Ask at the taxi stand whether a shared ride is available.

The airport FAQ says rideshare pickup for all terminals is at the Terminal 2 Upper Level curbside. The airport's rideshare page also lists a Terminal 3 zone. If you land at another terminal, check your app for the exact pickup point.

• Terminal 2: Upper Level, poles with orange signs 2A to 2G. An indoor waiting area sits between vestibules 2A and 2D.
• Terminal 3: Upper Level, poles with green signs 3G, 3H, 3J and 3K.
• Black car pickups are on the lower level of all terminals.

Wait in your zone until the car arrives. Prices are set by the app, not the airport.

The airport's own page for the Midway link sends you on the CTA: ride the Blue Line from the O'Hare station to Clark/Lake, transfer to the Orange Line and get off at Midway. The transfer is included. The CTA says the normal trip from Midway to downtown is 20 to 25 minutes. The airport says to allow up to two hours.

By taxi, the city lists a $45 shared flat fare between the two airports as of July 1, 2026. O'Hare's Midway page still shows $37 per person, which is the previous city rate, so go by the city figure. The CTA says Orange Line service runs all day, every day except overnight, and the N62 Archer bus covers overnight hours.

Limousines serve Chicago and the suburbs. Book with the company near the ride boards, or check the list posted near the airport information booths across from Door C on the lower level of each terminal.

If you pre-arranged a car, call once you have your bags. The driver will give you a plate number, a car description or a door number. Pickup is in the lower level center lane. It can take 5 to 20 minutes for the car to reach you.

Some services meet you in baggage claim. Livery parking is across from each terminal, usually a 5 to 7 minute walk.

For suburbs, ride the ATS to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), 10255 W. Zemke Blvd.

• Metra North Central Service: weekday trains between Antioch and Chicago Union Station. The O'Hare Transfer stop is behind the MMF, at its northeast corner. Tickets are sold by the conductor on the train.
• Pace Route 250: daily service from the MMF to the Des Plaines Metra station and Evanston via Dempster Avenue. It stops at CTA Purple and Yellow Line stations.
• Pace Route 330: weekday and Saturday service to Archer Ave/Harlem Ave in Summit.
• Pace buses use MMF bays 8 and 9.

Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles now pick up at the Terminal 2 Arrivals curbside. Some still pick up at Terminal 5, so ask your provider.

Scheduled regional buses to Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin pick up at the MMF. Take the ATS there. Providers listed by the airport include Coach USA/Van Galder (1-800-747-0994), Lafayette Limo (1-765-498-3828), Peoria Charter Coach (1-800-448-0572) and Reindeer Shuttle (765-637-5124). Check each provider's website for routes and prices.