How to get to Chicago Airport by Taxi

Going to and from O'Hare International Airport by taxi is both effortless and convenient.

Leaving the Airport

A Taxi service is available for passengers when they leave the baggage claims area to destinations across Chicago. For safety passengers must ensure that they use the designated Taxi Stands which will make certain a licensed driver is in charge of the vehicle. Drivers outside the designated stand or waiting for passengers on the second level departure area may not be licenced. All taxis ought to have a working meter ready to run when passengers get into the taxi so that current fares are calculated based on the exact time and mileage of the ride.

The total distance is 17 miles between O’Hare Airport and Chicago downtown by taxi depending upon traffic which means that the trip has a transfer time of at the least 30 minutes. Chicago is a busy city and so traffic jams are likely, impacting on your arrival time and delays are usually an issue travelers have to get used to as traffic in Chicago is always hectic. Keep this in mind when planning to meet a plane on time.

Taxi Fares

Taxi fares will depend upon road conditions, but the typical fare when travelling from O'Hare to downtown Chicago is around $40. The minimum fare for a taxi journey is $2.25. It is also important to know that trips between O’Hare or Midway Airports will have an extra $1.00 charge. To check for more up to date fare information, the City of Chicago has a taxi passenger information website for visitors to Chicago.

Tipping taxi drivers in Chicago is not compulsory; yet most people will tip the driver 7.5% of the full fare as a guide. It is recommended that passengers are ready to pay the fare in cash, especially for the fairly short trip into the center itself.

Fares to common destinations around Chicago:

To Midway Airport - $67.60 which takes around 40 minutes,
To the Blue Line - $36.33 which takes 30 minutes.

Rideshare

Rideshare companies operate at O'Hare International Airport and exist to offer prearranged transport services through online apps. It makes it possible to connect up airline passengers with drivers who provide rideshare vehicles for hire. The loading areas for Rideshare services are at terminal 2 between door 2A and 2D, by terminal 5’s door 5C. Uber taxis will pick airline passengers up on the airports lower level. For further information on Rideshare visit​ the City of Chicago website, www.chicago.gov

If multiple parties are together on a trip the shared ride service is possibly the best option to pay a combined flat rate to specific destinations at a lower cost. Shared ride fares from O'Hare International Airport include:

Downtown Chicago - $24 per person
Midway International Airport - $37 per person

Many taxi companies offer services for disabled passengers and should be contacted directly before leaving the airport.

Limousines

Limousines services are available for travel into both downtown Chicago and suburban areas. There is a list of companies to choose from on arrival at the airport from a range of pre-arranged limousine services available at the airport information booths on the lower levels of every terminal. It is also possible to pre-arrange a limousine pick up. On arrival call the service after claiming luggage. The company will then provide license plate numbers and a door number allowing for a meet up destination with the driver to be arranged. Limousines are only able to meet passengers at designated areas. Depending upon levels of airport traffic and the time of day, it may take between 10 and 20 minutes for airline passengers to be picked up from a location.

Some limousine services will be able to arrange for their drivers to meet passengers in the baggage claim area where the driver will be able to assist with taking luggage to the vehicle. O'Hare Airport has a designated livery parking area in every terminal which means there is a 5 minute walk to the limousine.

Chicago O'Hare Airport Taxi Companies and Phone Numbers:

• KOAM Taxi Association: +1 773-973-3535
• American United Cab Association: +1 773-327-6161
• Checker Taxi Association, Inc.: +1 312-243-2537
• Chicago Carriage Cab: +1 312-326-2221
• 5 Star Taxi Association, Inc.: +1 773-866-9933
• Flash Cab Company: +1 773-561-1444
• Blue Ribbon Association, Inc.: +1 773-508-9100
• Globe Taxi Association, Inc.: +1 773-725-6500
• King Drive Cab Affiliation: +1 773-488-8000
• Choice Taxi Association: +1 773-338-9503
• Royal 3 CCC Chicago Taxi Association: +1 312-326-2221
• 24 Seven Taxi Affiliation: +1 773-878-8294
• Yellow Cab Affiliation, Inc.: +1 773-907-0020
• Service Taxi Association, Inc.: +1 773-262-2211
• Sun Taxi Association, Inc.: +1 773-736-3883
• Gold Coast Taxi Association: +1 773-271-0163