How to get to Chicago Airport by Train

Chicago is an extremely popular destination and each year many travelers go through Chicago O'Hare International Airport and require transportation as they leave. Trains are a perfect way to get to all of the many things in the Windy City that are on offer for tourists. From the instant a person gets off their plane it is essential to know how to get safely around Chicago.

The ‘L’ Train

This is the easiest way to get around the city. Transit is also the easiest way as a flight passenger to get into and out of O'Hare International Airport. All trains leaving the airport travel to downtown Chicago with various stops along the way to Forest Park. CTA is the Chicago Transit Authority, which runs all of the train services through Chicago and its surrounding areas. The CTA Blue line has trains which run all week long so are available whenever needed and the Blue line transports its passengers into town 24 hours a day. The ‘L’ Train is a cheap way to travel around Chicago and getting a train saves on parking fees on inbound journeys.

The journey usually takes about 40 minutes to get into the heart of Chicago and connects up at various points to most of the other train lines that are available in the CTA network. This means with planning it makes travel around Chicago, and further afield, so much easier. To return back to O'Hare International Airport it is possible to board the Blue line from a multitude of stops located in downtown Chicago. It is straightforward to get the train from stops like Washington or Monroe. The airport station is the first station on the Blue line, so all departing trains are going to be heading towards central Chicago.

There will be a free transfer service available to passengers which connects the CTA train lines from certain stations. The ‘L’ train also has a direct link which can take airline passengers between O'Hare International and Midway airports. If arriving in terminal 5, international passengers can get to the ‘L’ train by following the ATS signs around the airport to get a ride to Terminal 2. From this point “CTA Trains” can be located which take passengers into the city. If arriving at other terminals there will be an underground pedestrian walkway that will give passengers access to train lines. Flight passengers will find signs in the terminals arrival area which provide directions to all trains into the city. The signs in the long walkway clearly show passengers the way to the airport train station.

Metra

Metra is also run by CTA and provides a train service across the Chicago metropolitan area between 6:00 am and 7:30 pm daily. The Metra Station is situated in the northeast side of Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Passengers get to the station from the terminals by taking the ATS to Economy parking lot E to board the shuttle bus service to O'Hare Transfer Station​. From here the O’Hare Transfer Station will allow passengers to travel on Metra’s North Central Service trains which take travelers into downtown Chicago and onward. It is not possible to purchase a ticket at both O’Hare Transfer or Washington Street as these stations are not staffed and there are no vending machines.

Paying train fares

There are a number of simple options on how to pay when you arrive at the airport train station www.transitchicago.com/fares/

Buying a Ventra airport station ticket options include:

• Single ride CTA Tickets including 2 transfers within a two-hour time frame to travel on a bus and or another train.
• 1-Day CTA train ticket which give travelers unlimited train rides within a 24-hour time frame for $10.00.
• 7-Day CTA train ticket which give travelers unlimited train rides within a 7-day time frame for $28.00.

It is possible to buy a Ventra card preloaded which can cover fare of up to seven passengers or buy a single ticket as you go. If paying with Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or with a contactless bankcard there is no need for a money transfer, simply go to the gates at the train station and use a card there. All machines at the airport train station take coins, cash, credit and debit cards.

Travel between Chicago and O’Hare International Airport on the train is easy and economical. There is a frequent 24-hour service, so getting to and from the airport on Chicago’s Transit Authority (CTA) train lines is a wonderful choice for visitors.