Chicago airport to the city

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Chicago is served by two major airports on opposite sides of the city. O'Hare (ORD), one of the busiest airports in the world, sits north-west of downtown and handles most international and long-haul flights. Midway (MDW), smaller and closer in, is south-west of the Loop and used mainly by domestic and budget carriers. Both connect directly to downtown via the CTA "L" train system, which makes public transport a genuinely practical choice at either airport.

From O'Hare Airport: the Blue Line

O'Hare is roughly 27 km north-west of the Loop, and getting downtown by road can take well over an hour in heavy traffic, particularly at rush hour — which makes the train the more reliable option for most travellers.

CTA Blue Line

The Blue Line runs directly from O'Hare's dedicated station (accessible from all terminals via a short walk or the airport's internal transit system) into downtown Chicago, reaching the Loop in around 40–45 minutes. Trains run 24 hours a day, seven days a week — O'Hare is one of the few US airports with round-the-clock rail service to the city centre, which is particularly useful for red-eye arrivals or early departures. Fares are paid with a Ventra card or contactless payment at the station gates, and there's a modest additional fare specifically for journeys starting or ending at O'Hare.

The Blue Line isn't fast in absolute terms — it makes numerous stops on its way into the city — but it's dependable, doesn't get stuck in traffic, and is by far the cheapest way to reach downtown from O'Hare.

Airport shuttle vans and buses

Shared-ride shuttle vans (such as Go Airport Express) run from O'Hare to numerous downtown hotels and other Chicago-area destinations, useful if your accommodation isn't near an L stop or you're travelling with a lot of luggage. Journey times vary with the number of stops and traffic but are typically comparable to or a little longer than a direct taxi.

Taxi and rideshare from O'Hare

Metered taxis and rideshare services operate from designated pickup zones at each terminal. Journey time to downtown is normally 30–45 minutes in reasonable traffic, but can extend well beyond an hour during rush hour. Fares are considerably higher than the Blue Line, though a taxi remains a reasonable choice for groups, late-night arrivals or heavy luggage.

From Midway Airport: the Orange Line

Midway sits around 16 km south-west of the Loop and, being smaller and closer, generally offers a quicker and less crowded transfer than O'Hare.

CTA Orange Line

The Orange Line runs from Midway's station, connected to the terminal by a short covered walkway, directly into the Loop in around 25–30 minutes. Unlike the Blue Line from O'Hare, the Orange Line does not run 24 hours — services stop overnight, typically from around 1am to shortly before 4am, so late-night or very early travellers should check current timetables and consider a taxi or rideshare instead during that window.

Taxi and rideshare from Midway

Given the shorter distance, a taxi or rideshare from Midway to downtown typically takes 20–30 minutes in normal traffic, and fares are correspondingly lower than the equivalent trip from O'Hare.

Metra: an alternative from either airport

Chicago's regional Metra rail network also serves both airports indirectly, with a station a short distance from O'Hare (Metra's North Central Service, via a connecting shuttle) and Midway well placed near the Metra system's south-west lines. Metra is generally more useful for travellers heading to the suburbs rather than downtown, and runs less frequently than the CTA L trains, so for a straightforward airport-to-Loop journey, the Blue Line or Orange Line remains the simpler choice for most visitors.

Comparing the two airports

If you have a choice of airport for a Chicago trip, Midway's shorter distance and generally lighter congestion make for an easier transfer for domestic itineraries, while O'Hare's wider route network — and the round-the-clock Blue Line — makes it the practical choice for international travel or late-night arrivals. Both are comparably well connected to downtown by rail, which is not the case at every major US city.

Practical tips for first-timers

• Buy a Ventra card at station vending machines, or simply tap a contactless bank card or phone at the fare gates — both work on the Blue and Orange Lines.
• Follow "CTA Trains" signage from the arrivals area at either airport; the walk to the station is signposted clearly throughout both terminals.
• Keep luggage manageable if travelling by L train at peak times — carriages can get crowded during the morning and evening rush.
• Downtown Chicago's Union Station is the hub for Amtrak long-distance and regional trains; if you're continuing your journey by rail, see our guide to travelling the USA by train.

For wider planning around a US visit, our route guides section covers connections between major American cities, and the borders section has entry-requirement guides if Chicago is one stop on a longer international itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster into downtown, O'Hare or Midway?

Midway is closer to the Loop, and the Orange Line reaches downtown in around 25–30 minutes compared to 40–45 minutes on the Blue Line from O'Hare. Overall journey time depends on your final destination and the time of day.

Does the train run all night from O'Hare?

Yes — the Blue Line from O'Hare runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it one of the more reliable options among major US airports for late-night or early-morning travel. Midway's Orange Line does not run all night and pauses for a few hours in the early morning.

How much does a taxi cost from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?

Fares are considerably higher than the Blue Line and journey time is typically 30–45 minutes in reasonable traffic, longer at rush hour. It's a reasonable option for groups, heavy luggage or very late arrivals when train frequency or comfort is a concern.

Can I use the same fare card on Chicago's airport trains as the rest of the CTA?

Yes — the Ventra card and contactless payment work across the entire CTA system, including the Blue and Orange Lines from the airports. There is a small additional fare specifically for trips starting or ending at O'Hare station.