Overall6/10Easier to reach than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Chicago's two airports are 30 miles apart; avoid booking connecting flights between O'Hare and Midway on separate tickets
- Blue Line from O'Hare runs 24/7; Orange Line from Midway stops around 1 AM—plan accordingly for late arrivals
- CTA fares increased February 2026: Blue Line to O'Hare costs $5; standard train fare is $2.75; bus is $2.50
- No direct airside connection between O'Hare and Midway; transfers require leaving the airport and crossing the city (1.5-2.5 hours minimum)
- Chicago's Greyhound station location may change; verify current address before booking intercity bus travel
- Downtown Chicago is extremely walkable and well-served by public transit; car rental is expensive due to high parking costs
- Metra commuter rail offers quick access to Chicago suburbs and serves O'Hare via North Central Service from a transfer station
- Many nearby day-trip destinations (Milwaukee, Indiana Dunes, Lake Geneva) are accessible by car, Amtrak, or regional transit
Airports
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Location
- Northwest Chicago
- Characteristics
- Busiest airport, major international hub for United and American Airlines, 5 terminals, extensive amenities
- Distance From Downtown
- approximately 17 miles
Ground Transport Options
Approximately 45 Minutes to Downtown
- Cost
- $5.00
- Notes
- 24/7 service, most frequent service during peak hours, accessible from Terminals 1, 2, 3 (Terminal 5 requires free airport shuttle)
Approximately 35 Minutes to Downtown
- Cost
- $6.25
- Notes
- Less frequent than Blue Line, requires shuttle from terminals
40-60+ Minutes Depending on Traffic
- Cost
- $50
- Notes
- Range $35-$60; surge pricing during peak times can exceed $100
40-60+ Minutes Depending on Traffic
- Cost
- $50
- Notes
- Metered; range $35-$60
N/A
- Cost
- $15
- Notes
- Approximately $15 per day
Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Location
- Southwest Chicago
- Characteristics
- Smaller, more compact, primary hub for Southwest Airlines, easier navigation, fewer crowds
- Distance From Downtown
- approximately 12 miles
Ground Transport Options
Approximately 25-30 Minutes to Downtown
- Cost
- $2.50
- Notes
- Direct terminal access, runs approximately 4 AM to 1 AM (not 24/7); for late arrivals, use N62 Archer bus
20-45 Minutes Depending on Traffic
- Cost
- $30
- Notes
- Range $25-$40; lower cost than O'Hare
20-45 Minutes Depending on Traffic
- Cost
- $30
- Notes
- Range $25-$40
Day Trip Access
Indiana Dunes National Park
- Distance
- Approximately 49-50 miles
- Drive Time
- 55 minutes
- Transit Option
- South Shore Line train to park entrance
- Description
- 15,000-acre park with 15 miles of beaches, sand dunes, 50 miles of hiking trails
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Distance
- 80 miles northwest
- Drive Time
- 90 minutes to 2 hours
- Description
- Spring-fed lake, boat tours, historic mansions, Yerkes Observatory
Harbor Country, Michigan
- Distance
- Approximately 90 miles east
- Drive Time
- 90 minutes
- Description
- Eight small towns along Red Arrow Highway, beaches, wineries, galleries
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Distance
- 92 miles north
- Drive Time
- 1.5 hours
- Transit Option
- Amtrak Hiawatha (multiple daily)
- Description
- Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, RiverWalk, breweries
Wisconsin Dells
- Distance
- Approximately 210-240 miles northwest
- Drive Time
- 3-4 hours
- Description
- Waterparks, theme parks, scenic hiking, Devils Lake State Park
Galena, Illinois
- Distance
- Approximately 165 miles northwest
- Drive Time
- About 3 hours
- Description
- Historic town, Galena River Valley views, charming downtown with shops and restaurants
Rockford, Illinois
- Distance
- Approximately 75-85 miles northwest
- Drive Time
- About 1.5 hours
- Description
- Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Saugatuck, Michigan
- Distance
- Approximately 165 miles east
- Drive Time
- About 3 hours
- Description
- Dune rides, beaches, galleries, restaurants
Rail Connections
Metra Commuter Rail
- Fare Range
- $3.75
- Access Points
- Union Station (6 routes), plus other downtown terminals
- Fare Range Max
- $7.50
- Notes
- Zone-based fares; day passes and monthly passes available
- Description
- 11 routes covering 200+ stations, 3,700 square miles throughout Chicago metropolitan area
Amtrak Union Station
- Location
- 225 S Canal Street, Chicago Loop
- Accessibility
- Two Chicago L stations within walking distance; Metra commuter rail accessible; nearby CTA buses
- Description
- Historic 1925 Beaux-Arts station, serves as midwest hub for Amtrak
Major Routes
Daily
- Route Name
- Lake Shore Limited
- Travel Time
- Approximately 20-22.5 hours
- Destinations
- New York City and Boston
Daily
- Route Name
- California Zephyr
- Travel Time
- Approximately 51-52.5 hours
- Destinations
- San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville) via Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno
Daily
- Route Name
- Southwest Chief
- Travel Time
- Approximately 43 hours
- Destinations
- Los Angeles via Kansas City, Albuquerque
Multiple daily departures
- Route Name
- Lincoln Service / Michigan Service
- Destinations
- St. Louis, Illinois regional connections
Multiple daily
- Route Name
- Hiawatha
- Destinations
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Intercity Bus
- Cost Range
- $8.00
- Main Provider
- Greyhound
- Station Location
- 630 W Harrison Street (Near West Side)
- Destinations Served
- 127+ destinations including Indianapolis, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Detroit
- Notes
- Additional carriers include Megabus, FlixBus, Barons Bus Lines, Burlington Trailways at station
- Status Note
- Station status uncertain as of 2024; potential transition to Union Station Transit Center or curbside service
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.