Every way to get from O'Hare International Airport into Chicago — compared by speed, price and how easy each is with luggage. Then route the whole journey offline with CityNav.
Open CityNav Free → See Chicago transit coverageO'Hare has Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (domestic, connected airside/landside) and Terminal 5 (international). The CTA Blue Line station sits under the core terminals; an Airport Transit System (ATS) train links to Terminal 5 and remote lots.
| Option | Duration | Price | Frequency / Hours | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚇 CTA Blue Line | ~45 min | from $5 (special O'Hare boarding fare) | every 5-15 min, 24/7 24/7 |
moderate — some stairs, but direct and cheap |
| 🚆 Metra (North Central Service) | ~40 min | from $5.50 | a few times daily, weekdays peak weekday only |
good — commuter rail |
| 🚐 Airport shuttle / GO Airport Express | ~45-70 min | from $32 | on demand / scheduled daytime + evening |
good — door to door share ride |
| 🚕 Taxi / Uber / Lyft | ~35-60 min | from $45-$65 (surges higher) | on demand 24/7 |
excellent — door to door |
→ Downtown Chicago (the Loop)
Luggage: moderate — some stairs, but direct and cheap
→ Union Station (limited weekday service)
Luggage: good — commuter rail
→ Downtown hotels
Luggage: good — door to door share ride
→ Downtown Chicago
Luggage: excellent — door to door
✈️ Download CityNav before you fly — Chicago's transit maps work fully offline, so you can route from the airport with no roaming data.
The CTA Blue Line is about $5. Shuttles from $32, and taxis/rideshare $45-$65.
The Blue Line takes about 45 minutes to the Loop and avoids traffic; a taxi/rideshare can be quicker off-peak but slower in rush hour.
The CTA Blue Line, around $5, is by far the cheapest.
A door-to-door shuttle, taxi or rideshare. The Blue Line is fine but has some stairs and crowds.
The Blue Line runs 24 hours, so you can reach downtown at any time; taxis and rideshare are also always available.
Use the Ventra system — tap a contactless card/phone or a Ventra card at the turnstile.
Data last checked: 2026-08-14 · Sources: CTA, Chicago Department of Aviation. Fares are approximate and can change.