Chicago transportation options from O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
and Midway International Airport (MDW) to the Loop central business district.
From O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to the Loop:
CTA Blue Line (‘L’ Train) – Most Affordable
· Cost: $5 per person
· Time: 45 minutes
· Details: Take the Blue Line from O'Hare directly to downtown stops - Trains run 24/7.
Airport Express Shuttle – Mid-Priced
· Cost: $30 per person
· Time: 45–60 minutes
· Details: Offers shared-ride services to downtown hotels. Booking in advance is recommended.
Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) – Most Convenient
· Cost: $40–$60
· Time: 30–60 minutes (depending on traffic)
· Details: Taxi stands are available at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Rideshares pick up from designated areas in each terminal.
Metra Train – Alternative Option
· Cost: $6–$10
· Time: 35 minutes
· Details: The Metra North Central Service line stops at O’Hare Transfer station. Free Airport Transit System to the Metra stop.
From Midway International Airport (MDW) to the Loop:
CTA Orange Line (‘L’ Train) – Most Affordable
· Cost: $2.50 per person
· Time: 25 minutes
· Details: Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown stops - Trains run from 4 AM to 1 AM.
Airport Express Shuttle – Mid-Priced
· Cost: $25 per person
· Time: 30–45 minutes
· Details: Shared-ride services available to downtown hotels.
Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) – Most Convenient
· Cost: $25–$40
· Time: 20–45 minutes
· Details: Taxis are available outside baggage claim. Rideshares have designated pickup areas.
Bus + Train – Budget Alternative
· Cost: $5
· Time: 40 minutes
· Details: Take CTA Bus #62 (Archer) to the Orange Line for a cheaper but slightly longer route.
Best Option Based on Budget & Convenience
· Budget-friendly: CTA Blue or Orange Line
· Mid-range: Airport Shuttle
· Fastest/Most Convenient: Taxi or Rideshare (except during rush hour)
CTA Blue Line (‘L’ Train) – Most Affordable
· Cost: $5 per person
· Time: 45 minutes
· Details: Take the Blue Line from O'Hare directly to downtown stops - Trains run 24/7.
Airport Express Shuttle – Mid-Priced
· Cost: $30 per person
· Time: 45–60 minutes
· Details: Offers shared-ride services to downtown hotels. Booking in advance is recommended.
Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) – Most Convenient
· Cost: $40–$60
· Time: 30–60 minutes (depending on traffic)
· Details: Taxi stands are available at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Rideshares pick up from designated areas in each terminal.
Metra Train – Alternative Option
· Cost: $6–$10
· Time: 35 minutes
· Details: The Metra North Central Service line stops at O’Hare Transfer station. Free Airport Transit System to the Metra stop.
From Midway International Airport (MDW) to the Loop:
CTA Orange Line (‘L’ Train) – Most Affordable
· Cost: $2.50 per person
· Time: 25 minutes
· Details: Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown stops - Trains run from 4 AM to 1 AM.
Airport Express Shuttle – Mid-Priced
· Cost: $25 per person
· Time: 30–45 minutes
· Details: Shared-ride services available to downtown hotels.
Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) – Most Convenient
· Cost: $25–$40
· Time: 20–45 minutes
· Details: Taxis are available outside baggage claim. Rideshares have designated pickup areas.
Bus + Train – Budget Alternative
· Cost: $5
· Time: 40 minutes
· Details: Take CTA Bus #62 (Archer) to the Orange Line for a cheaper but slightly longer route.
Best Option Based on Budget & Convenience
· Budget-friendly: CTA Blue or Orange Line
· Mid-range: Airport Shuttle
· Fastest/Most Convenient: Taxi or Rideshare (except during rush hour)
Buying a Ventra Card at the Airport
Find a Ventra Vending Machine
· At O’Hare: Located in the CTA station in Terminal 2 (follow signs for the Blue Line).
· At Midway: Located in the CTA station near the airport terminal (follow signs for the Orange Line).
Purchase the Card
· Tap the screen and select “Buy New Card.”
· The card costs $5, but this fee is refunded as transit credit when you register the card online.
· Choose to load a regular balance (pay-per-ride) or a pass (1-day, 3-day, 7-day, or 30-day unlimited rides).
Payment Options
· Pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at the machine.
Get a Paper Ticket (Alternative Option)
· If you don’t want a Ventra Card, you can buy a Single-Ride Ticket
· ($3 at O'Hare, $2.50 at Midway) or a 1-Day Pass ($5) from the same machine.
Find a Ventra Vending Machine
· At O’Hare: Located in the CTA station in Terminal 2 (follow signs for the Blue Line).
· At Midway: Located in the CTA station near the airport terminal (follow signs for the Orange Line).
Purchase the Card
· Tap the screen and select “Buy New Card.”
· The card costs $5, but this fee is refunded as transit credit when you register the card online.
· Choose to load a regular balance (pay-per-ride) or a pass (1-day, 3-day, 7-day, or 30-day unlimited rides).
Payment Options
· Pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at the machine.
Get a Paper Ticket (Alternative Option)
· If you don’t want a Ventra Card, you can buy a Single-Ride Ticket
· ($3 at O'Hare, $2.50 at Midway) or a 1-Day Pass ($5) from the same machine.
Using Your Ventra Card on CTA Trains and Buses
On the ‘L’ Train (Subway & Elevated Trains)
· Tap the Ventra Card or mobile app on the card reader at the train station turnstile.
· The screen will show your remaining balance or pass validity.
· Enter and board your train.
On CTA Buses
· Tap your Ventra Card or mobile app on the card reader near the driver.
· If you need a transfer, it's automatically deducted when you board the next bus or train within two hours.
Fares and Transfers
· Train Ride: $2.50 (except O’Hare, which is $5)
· Bus Ride: $2.25
· Transfers: +25¢ for the first transfer, free for the second (within 2 hours)
· 1-Day Pass: $5 (unlimited rides for 24 hours)
· 3-Day Pass: $15
· 7-Day Pass: $20
Using Your Phone Instead of a Physical Card:
· Download the Ventra App (iOS/Android).
· Add funds or a pass to your account.
· Tap your phone on the card reader using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Tips for Visitors:
✔ If staying in Chicago for several days, a 3-day or 7-day pass is the best value.
✔ Register your Ventra Card online (ventrachicago.com) to recover lost funds if you lose it.
✔ You can also reload your Ventra Card at drugstores (like Walgreens or CVS) and other retail locations.
On the ‘L’ Train (Subway & Elevated Trains)
· Tap the Ventra Card or mobile app on the card reader at the train station turnstile.
· The screen will show your remaining balance or pass validity.
· Enter and board your train.
On CTA Buses
· Tap your Ventra Card or mobile app on the card reader near the driver.
· If you need a transfer, it's automatically deducted when you board the next bus or train within two hours.
Fares and Transfers
· Train Ride: $2.50 (except O’Hare, which is $5)
· Bus Ride: $2.25
· Transfers: +25¢ for the first transfer, free for the second (within 2 hours)
· 1-Day Pass: $5 (unlimited rides for 24 hours)
· 3-Day Pass: $15
· 7-Day Pass: $20
Using Your Phone Instead of a Physical Card:
· Download the Ventra App (iOS/Android).
· Add funds or a pass to your account.
· Tap your phone on the card reader using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Tips for Visitors:
✔ If staying in Chicago for several days, a 3-day or 7-day pass is the best value.
✔ Register your Ventra Card online (ventrachicago.com) to recover lost funds if you lose it.
✔ You can also reload your Ventra Card at drugstores (like Walgreens or CVS) and other retail locations.