Chicago OHare International Airport - ORD

O'Hare is 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop downtown area, and can be reached by local mass transit lines, regional trains and buses, down and suburban shuttles, limousine service, taxis, and by automobile via Interstate highways. Ground transportation services are located at the main entrance to each terminal.

O'Hare serves a metro area that extends outward around 50-60+ miles from the airport in every direction except east; in that direction, travel terminates at the shore of Lake Michigan. Mass transit is readily available between downtown Chicago and O'Hare; however, there is essentially no mass transit available between O'Hare and outlying suburban areas. Traffic conditions vary greatly day to day and hour to hour.

The "People Mover" or Airport Transit System (ATS) is a recent addition to O'Hare's facilities. ATS is free and can move up to 2,400 passengers per hour. Trains travel a 2.7 mile route-with stops at all four of O'Hare's terminals and at remote parking Lot E- in about nine minutes.

Car Rental

O'Hare is served by Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and National. They are located on the lower level baggage claim areas for Terminals 1, 2, and 3; at Terminal 5, passengers will need to use courtesy phones located on the lower level.

Public/Ground Transfer

Those traveling between the airport and the downtown area (the Loop) of Chicago may find that the using CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is a good way to go to avoid traffic on area roads and highways. CTA trains run from several stops within the Loop to O'Hare around the clock, 24 hours a day. However, the train frequencies vary with the time of day, so using the train system may not be always be practical depending on one's schedule.

The Metra trains do not serve O'Hare directly. The airport CTA line stops in Jefferson Park, and Metra trains stop there also.

Airport Shuttles

Continental Airport Express uses vans and offers door-to-door service to most city and suburban neighborhoods. They pick up and drop off passengers outside the baggage claim areas of each terminal. Advance notice is strongly recommended. Call 773-247-1200 or 888-284-3826 www.airportexpress.com, Fare approximately $25 to the Loop.

The Coach USA Wisconsin shuttle offers hourly service between Chicago's Midway Airport and O'Hare. Their O'Hare passenger pickup and drop-off is at the Bus Shuttle Center. Fare is $13 one way - $23 round trip. Call 1-877-324-7767

The Omega Airport Shuttle offers hourly van service between O'Hare and Midway, and O'Hare and Hyde Park during most of the day and evening. Omega's passenger pickup /drop-off at O'Hare is located at Bus Shuttle Center door number 4. Call: 773-734-6600 (press O for Operator to get information.) Fare is $16 one way O'Hare to Midway.

Limousine Services

The most convenient and comfortable means of getting to and from the airport other than in one's own car is by hired limousine. Limousine services-which typically use real luxury stretch limos--serve both downtown and most suburban areas. Rates vary depending on the distance from O'Hare to the destination or pickup point, but are usually very competitive with taxi service-especially when the rides are shared-and much more comfortable.

Limo's can be reserved by calling one of the many limo companies serving O'Hare; the limo company will group reservations so as to have riders share a car based on airport arrival or departure times. Private car (non-shared) limos are available, but are more expensive. Drivers are usually knowledgeable about areas to which they are assigned, but may need 'fine-tuned' directions from the passenger at stops away from the airport. There are many limo service companies in Chicago, and they come and go. The best source to find one is a local contact in Chicago; most businesses use airport limos to transport their travelers and thus will have a preferred limo company.

Taxi Services

Taxis are readily available at the lower level of each terminal. While they don't require reservations, taxis are a far less pleasant mode of travel than are limos, and only slightly less expensive in many cases. Taxis are generally only practical for passengers traveling to/from downtown Chicago.