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O'Hare International Airport

Chicago, United States

Where to start
CTA Blue Line

The CTA Blue Line train runs 24 hours from O'Hare directly to downtown Chicago — one of the few US airports with round-the-clock rail. Affordable, frequent, accessible from Terminals 1–3 via underground walkway. From Terminal 5, take the free ATS people-mover to the main terminal area first. Uber and Lyft work but standard pickup is consolidated on the Departures level of Terminal 2 — Terminals 1 and 3 no longer have their own standard app pickup, so you may need to walk to T2.

Ride Options

CTA Blue Line

transit

Affordable, 24/7 direct route to downtown Chicago

AvailabilityRuns 24/7, frequent during the day
Pickup NoteStation connects to Terminals 1–3 via underground tunnel walkway; about 45 min to The Loop. From Terminal 5, take the free ATS people-mover to the main terminal first. Tap a Ventra card or contactless bank card.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door for destinations off the Blue Line

AvailabilityCommonly available at all hours; standard surge pricing
Pickup NoteStandard pickup is consolidated on the Departures level of Terminal 2 — T1 and T3 no longer have standard app pickup. Premium/Black and T5 are on the Arrivals level.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare, comparable pricing

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame consolidated Terminal 2 Departures-level pickup as Uber.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Curb (Chicago Taxi App)

taxi

Hailing an official metered Chicago taxi from your phone

AvailabilityAvailable where licensed Chicago taxis operate
Pickup NoteCurb hails licensed Chicago taxis at the regulated metered rate. Same Terminal 2 Departures-level standard pickup zone as the rideshare apps.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

Official Taxi

taxi

No-app, straightforward airport ride

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at official stands
Pickup NoteOfficial ranks outside arrivals at each terminal. Metered fare plus airport surcharge.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Chicago O'Hare — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Standard Uber, Lyft, and Curb pickup is consolidated on the Departures level of Terminal 2 — Terminals 1 and 3 no longer have their own standard app pickup, so you may need to walk to T2. Premium/Black/SUV and Terminal 5 international pickups are on the Arrivals level. Follow the in-app instructions.

Taxi

Official taxi ranks are outside arrivals at each terminal. Metered fares plus an airport surcharge. The Curb app hails official Chicago taxis at the same regulated rate.

Shuttle

Hotel and off-site parking shuttles depart from the lower level outside baggage claim. The Hilton O'Hare connects to Terminal 2 via walkway.

Transit

The CTA Blue Line station connects to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via an underground tunnel walkway and runs 24/7 to downtown Chicago in about 45 minutes. From Terminal 5, take the free ATS people-mover to the main terminal area first. Tap a Ventra card or contactless bank card.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers and SIXT Ride meet you at arrivals with a name sign — fixed price, flight tracking.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • The CTA Blue Line runs 24 hours from O'Hare to downtown Chicago — unusual for a US airport, and the best bet for very early or very late flights.
  • Standard Uber, Lyft, and Curb pickup is consolidated on the Departures level of Terminal 2 — Terminals 1 and 3 no longer have their own standard app pickup, so don't wait at the arrivals curb or at your own terminal.
  • Tap a contactless bank card directly at CTA fare gates — no need to buy a Ventra card for a one-off trip.
  • From Terminal 5 (international), take the free ATS people-mover to the main terminal area first to reach the Blue Line.
  • Curb hails official Chicago taxis at the same regulated metered rate — handy when rideshare surges.

Tarmyq local tip

The CTA Blue Line accepts contactless bank cards (Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap-to-pay) directly at the fare gates — no need to buy a Ventra card for a one-off trip. Just tap and ride.