O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Chicago
The CTA Blue Line runs 24 hours from O'Hare to the Loop in about 45 minutes for around $5. Taxis and ride-hailing take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Best for most people: CTA Blue Line. It runs around the clock, avoids the expressway traffic and costs a fraction of a taxi.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| metro CTA Blue Line from O'Hare station (reached on foot from Terminals 1, 2 and 3) towards Forest Park, to Clark/Lake, Washington or Monroe in the Loop | about 40–45 min | every 5–10 min daytime, less often at night | about $5 from O'Hare | 24 h | Tap a contactless bank card or Ventra card at the gate. |
| taxi Taxi stands at the lower level of each terminal | about 30–60 min | about $45–65 plus tip | 24 h | Metered; heavy traffic on the Kennedy Expressway can add a lot of time. | |
| ride-hailing Uber and Lyft from the signed pickup zones | about 30–60 min | about $35–60, more at peak times | 24 h | Pickup zones are often at the multi-level parking structure. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Other airports
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), about 16 km south-west of the Loop, is linked by the CTA Orange Line in about 25 minutes.
Tips
- If you land at Terminal 5, take the free Airport Transit System train to the Blue Line station.
- Rush hour traffic can turn a taxi ride into an hour or more.
- Contactless bank cards work directly on CTA gates; no need to buy a Ventra card first.
- Midway has its own rail link, the Orange Line, if you fly there instead.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?
Expect about $45–65 to the Loop, plus a tip of around 15–20%. Fares are metered and traffic on the Kennedy Expressway can push the total higher. Ride-hailing is often slightly cheaper but surges at busy times. Use the official taxi stands on the lower level.
Does the Blue Line run 24 hours from O'Hare?
Yes. The CTA Blue Line operates 24 hours a day, every day, between O'Hare and downtown, though trains run less often late at night. It is one of the few airport rail links in the US with round-the-clock service. Stations can feel quiet in the small hours, so stay in a car near the driver at night.
How long does the Blue Line take to the Loop?
About 40–45 minutes from O'Hare to stations such as Clark/Lake or Washington. That is often faster than driving during rush hour, when the expressway can take an hour or more. Allow extra time for the walk from your terminal to the station, which sits beneath the main parking garage near Terminals 1–3.
Can I pay for the CTA with a credit card?
Yes. Tap a contactless bank card or mobile wallet at the gate. You can also buy a Ventra card or ticket from machines at the station. The fare from O'Hare is higher than the standard fare. Multi-day passes are also available.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.