O’Hare Airport Transportation

It is hard to figure out where is the snappiest intersection of the world, but we can boldly claim that O’Hare is one of the leaders when it comes to the flying of fares. Besides, this airfield brags about the courageous dispatchers who get all worked up during the busiest hours when hundreds of planes are trying to bump into each other in the skies. With this in view, more and more people visit Chicago International every single day. That is why it is essential to know the ropes of ORD airport transportation. So, let us give you all the needed details.

To, From and Within Chicago International

There are enough options of O’Hare airport transportation. Wherever you may be it’s really easy to make it to ORD. Now, let’s just have a look at what you are in for:

  • ATS

  • Train

  • Bus

  • Taxi

  • Car

All of the above alternatives will let anyone arrive and depart on time. And it is advisable to know how to use O’Hare airport transport and we are going to help you through it.

ATS

ATS (Airport Transit System) makes it possible to travel all over O’Hare. It’s a 2.5 mi (4 km) long automated system that 24/7 operates exclusively on the territory of the airport. And it will deliver you to your destination in a couple of minutes. What an easy way to get around the terminals and remote parking lots!

Where to find?

You will find ATS Arrivals on the first level and its Departures on the second level of each terminal.

Train

All train operations at ORD are provided by the Metra train and the Blue Line (“L”) which are managed by CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The economical transit of people is carried out in the surroundings and citywide. Below you will find more information about Metra and Blue Line.

Metra

Metra is a commuter train handling that functions across the Chicago metropolitan area.

Where to find?

You can spot the Metra Station right in the northeast area of O’Hare International, namely at Zemke and Mannheim Roads. The best way to find it is to catch ATS. It will take you to parking lot E or Kiss-N-Fly where you get off and take the airport shuttle bus which stops at O’Hare Transfer Station​. And here passengers use Metra’s North Central Service trains to arrive at the center of Chicago and nearby surroundings.

Working hours

The operating time covers the period from 06:00 am to 07:30 pm (but it can be modified).

Charges 

A one-way ticket from O’Hare to Washington Street (Grayslake) costs $ 9.00 and you can buy it right aboard from an agent. However, in the other stations getting a seat will bring about extra $5.00 as an excess fare.

Blue Line (“L”)

On the whole, Blue Line trains are known as the most user-friendly way to get to ORD. This kind of airport transportation at Chicago O’Hare connects the downtown to the airport. The CTA “L” can be described as a round-the-clock service with perfect schedules that will not make you wait.

Where to find?

The station is based on the lower level of Terminal 2. In order to find “L” in the Terminal 2 you’ll have to get on ATS first because it binds all important spots of Chicago International. The system operates every 7 minutes so everyone will make it on time.

Working hours

The Blue Line is open 24 hours a day.

Links

  • O’Hare Airport

  • Jefferson Park

  • Logan Square

  • Clark/Lane

  • UIC-Halsted

  • Cicero

  • Forest Park

Charges

The price list of “L” trains includes several types of tickets as well as day passes.

Tickets

  • Regular: USD $5.00

  • Cut-price: USD $1.25

  • Student: USD $0.75

Day passes

  • 1-Day Pass: USD $10.00

  • 3-Day Pass: USD $20.00

  • 7-Day Pass: USD $28.00

  • 7-Day Pass: USD $33.00

  • 30-Day Pass: USD $105.00

 

 

Bus

The service that provides Chicago O’Hare bus transportation is known as PACE Bus with two routes, namely 250 and 330.

PACE Bus

This agency leads buses that ride throughout Chicago outskirts. As stated there are two itinerary numbers connected to ORD. These are Route 250 and Route 330.

Route 250

In general, the buses under this number link the O’Hare Kiss ‘n’ Fly​/ATS Station in remote Parking Lot E to the Des Plaines Metra station and east to downtown Evanston via Dempster Avenue. Route 250 drives by Davis Street CTA Station, Skokie Swift CTA Station, Notre Dame main East High Schools, and Lutheran General Hospital.

Working hours

  • Monday through Friday – from 05:20 am to 11:25 pm

  • Saturday – from 06:23 am to 11:26 pm

  • Sunday – from 07:20 am to 11:26 pm

Route 330

Passengers are able to take 330 from Monday to Friday. But with the weekends the situation is a little bit different. This route doesn’t work on Sunday and is circulated south to Archer Ave in Summit. The bus stops at Amtrak / Metra BNSF Line La Grange Road Station, Quarry Shopping Center, and Countryside Plaza.

Working hours

  • Monday-Friday – from 05:21 am to 10:08 pm

  • Saturday – from 05:54 am to 7:47 pm

Charges

  • Ventra cost: USD $2.00 (regular), USD $1.00 (reduced)

  • Cash: USD $2.25 (regular), USD $1.10 (reduced)

Shuttle bus

This kind of vehicle goes between Parking Lot E and O’Hare Transfer Station. And it gives all those wishing a ride to all the other terminals as well. Besides, the tickets are sold by the drivers.

Working hours

From 5 am to 11 pm

Charges

The ticket price depends on the areas of ORD bus routes.

Taxi 

In case you want to take a taxi to the airport then you should remember a few things.

First, the spacing between O’Hare International and the Loop is 17 miles (27 km). So the ride will take you at least 30 minutes. Second, many travelers suffer from awful traffic jams that are usual for a city like this size. And you better set off early when you have a flight in order not to be late.

Where to find?

Like any other place, Chicago is filled with taxis. There are many of them in the downtown and the peri-urban areas. As a rule, passengers are advised to get into licensed cars owned by solid companies. The list is set out below. At the airport, taxis are usually discovered on the lower level of terminals.

Companies

These are the reliable taxi companies at O’Hare:

  • Airport Taxi O’Hare: +1 847 252 9237

  • 303 Taxi: +1 847 303 0303

  • OnCabs Chicago: +1 815 600 8803

  • Metro Yellow Cab: +1 847 526 2227

  • Ohare Airport Taxi: +1 847 666 5151

The number for a taxi accessible by wheelchair: 1.855.WAV.1010

Charges

In general, the taxis are tariffed regardless of the firm that provides such services and the day (weekday, weekend, holiday). The rate of a journey depends on time and distance and the average price from O’Hare to the Loop is about USD $30-$40. And this is when the lowest bid accounts for USD $ 2.25. What’s more, the rides to the airports will cost an extra USD $ 1.00 fee. And don’t forget about the tips. In particular, taxi drivers get a 7.5% bonus as a gratuity. Moreover, all payments should be made in cash. But you can pay by card only in extreme cases.

Shared Rides

This term is used for shared trips that certain people take together. As a result, they pay a fixed price when having different destinations.

Charges

  • Downtown Chicago: USD $24.00/person

  • McCormick Place: USD $24.00/person.

Car Rental

You know, not everyone has a personal vehicle. In such a case people usually use public transport or they rent a car. The latter has gained tremendous popularity. It’s comfortable, practical, and sometimes extremely necessary. You can do it over the phone, online or at the airport. In fact, Chicago O’Hare befriends only secure car rental firms.

Here they are (phone numbers included):

  • Ace: +1 874-380-2041

  • Advantage: +1 800-777-550

  • Alamo: +1 800-992-9823

  • Avis: +1 773-825-4600

  • Budget: +1 800-621-2380

  • Dollar: +1 866-434-2226

  • Enterprise: +1 847-928-3320

  • Firefly: +1 847-233-7399

  • Hertz: +1 773-686-7272

  • National: +1 888-826-6890

  • Payless: +1 224-220-0603

  • Thrifty: +1 877-283-0898

Where to find?

These companies principally reside outside the terminals.

4 Car Rental Things to Bear in Mind

  • Age – According to American law only adults are allowed to rent a car. You must be over 21 or even 25 to do so. They will check your passport as well as a visa to make sure.
  • Driver’s license – It is trite to say that without a full and valid driver’s license and International Driving Permit (IDP) you’ll be denied an opportunity to get a car.
  • Proof of insurance – Just another important document to keep with you.
  • Warning triangles – You simply must put them as a safety equipment in the car.

Getting to O’Hare Airport by car

You can reach Chicago O’Hare by using I-190 that is linked to I-90 leading to downtown and right from Mannheim Road, the airport’s eastern frontier.