There are a few different public transportation options that make O'Hare International Airport easily accessible. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the most economical option. Passengers may also utilize the Metra and Pace Bus routes.
CTA Blue Line
The CTA offers both train and bus service throughout the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The trains in Chicago are known as the "L," and the
Blue Line trains are the easiest and most affordable way to get to O'Hare via public transit.
The Blue Line offers 24 hour service with more frequent service during weekday morning and evening rush hours. You can also connect to most other CTA lines through the Blue Line. With regularly scheduled arriving and departing trains, you will experience minimal wait times.
To see the most up-to-date schedule and timetable, visit the CTA website
here.
Also see, Blue Line specific alerts.
Location
Lower level of the parking garage.
Directions
For Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow "Trains to City" on overhead wayfinding signs as you walk through the pedestrian tunnels in the Basement Level to reach the CTA station. For Terminal 5, you must ride the ATS to Terminals 3 or 2. Once in the terminals, follow "Trains to City" on overhead wayfinding signs as you walk through the pedestrian tunnel in the Basement Level to reach the CTA station.
Payment
You can purchase fare with cash or credit. There are vending machines located outside the station.
For additional information on the CTA, or to view the CTA's trip planning tools and information, visit their website
here.
For specific fare information,
click here.
Metra
Metra offers commuter train service throughout the Chicagoland area. Metra's North Central Service train line offers weekday service connecting downtown Chicago's Union Station to the north central suburbs, terminating at Antioch.
Travelers coming from O'Hare International Airport terminals can use the
O'Hare Transfer Station to access Metra's North Central Service trains to downtown or the suburbs.
Location
On the northeast side of O'Hare at Zemke and Mannheim Roads.
Directions
Passengers should ride the Airport Transit System (ATS) from any terminals to connect at the Multi Modal Facility (MMF), 10255 W. Zemke.
The Metra station (O'Hare Transfer stop) is located behind the Multi Modal Facility, on the northeast corner of the building. View more information
here.
Payment
Tickets can be purchased from the conductor on the train. Metra fares are based on travel between zones. To calculate the price of a ride, use the link below and enter the departure and destination stations along the North Central Line.
Metra Fare Information
North Central Service Line Stations
- Antioch
- Lake Villa
- Round Lake Beach
- Washington St./Grayslake
- Prairie Crossing/Libertyville
- Vernon Hills
- Prairie View
- Buffalo Grove
- Wheeling
- Prospect Heights
- O'Hare Transfer Station
- Rosemont
- Schiller Park
- Belmont Ave./Franklin Park
- River Grove
- Western Ave
- Union Station
If you would like to view the full North Central Service schedule or plan your trip, please visit the links below.
North Central Service Schedule
Pace
PACE bus drop off and pick up is at the Multi Modal Facility, Bus bays #8 and #9. From the Multi Modal Facility, PACE passengers can take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to get to the terminals.
Pace Route 250
Route 250 provides daily service from O'Hare's Multi-Modal Facility to the Des Plaines Metra station and east to downtown Evanston via Dempster Avenue.
Service along this route includes:
- Davis Street CTA Station (access to the CTA Purple Line)
- Skokie Swift CTA Station (access to the CTA Yellow Line)
- Notre Dame and Main East High Schools
- Lutheran General Hospital
For Route 250 destination, fare and schedule information, please
click here.
Pace Route 330
Route 330 provides weekday and Saturday service extending from O'Hare to Archer Ave/Harlem Ave in Summit.
Service along this route includes:
- Amtrak/Metra BNSF Line La Grange Road Station
- Quarry Shopping Center
- Countryside Plaza
For Route 330 destination, fare and schedule information, please
click here.
