You used points to fly to Chicago. It would be a shame to then spend $50 or more on a cab downtown. Both of Chicago’s airports are on the CTA ‘L’ train, and both have cheaper parking options than the garage next to the terminal. Here’s how to get between O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) and the city for less, with prices from the official CTA and Fly Chicago pages as of November 2026.
The quick comparison
| Option | O’Hare (ORD) | Midway (MDW) |
|---|---|---|
| CTA train | Blue Line, $5 from O’Hare (24 hours) | Orange Line, $2.50 (about 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.) |
| Taxi to downtown | About $50 on average, per the airport | About $35 to $40, or an $18 shared ride per person |
| Rideshare pickup | Upper Level, Terminals 2 and 3 | Lower Level center lane, Doors 2 to 4 |
| Cheapest airport parking | Economy Lots G and H, $16 per day | Economy Garage and Lot, $15 per day |
Taxi fares are metered and change with traffic, so treat those as rough guides. Tips are extra.
O’Hare: the Blue Line is the budget move
The CTA Blue Line station is on the lower level of the O’Hare parking garage. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow the “Trains to City” signs through the pedestrian tunnels; from Terminal 5, ride the free Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 2 or 3 first. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day and goes straight into the Loop.
- Fare: O’Hare has a premium fare of $5 (full fare). Every other ‘L’ station is $2.50.
- The pass trick: CTA says riders with an unlimited pass board at O’Hare at no extra charge. A 1-Day pass is $5 and a 3-Day pass is $15, so if you’ll ride the train or bus a few more times, a pass can make the airport ride effectively free.
- How to pay: tap a contactless credit card or phone wallet at the gate, use the Ventra app, or buy a Ventra ticket from the station machines.
If you’re heading to the suburbs, Pace buses (Routes 250 and 330) leave from the Multi-Modal Facility, and Metra’s North Central Service stops at the O’Hare Transfer station there on weekdays.
Midway: even easier
The Orange Line station is just east of the terminal, connected by an enclosed walkway; follow the “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” signs. The regular $2.50 fare applies, and the airport says the ride downtown normally takes 20 to 25 minutes. Trains run from roughly 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.; overnight, the N62 Archer bus covers the route.
Midway also lists shared taxi rides at a flat $18 per person to downtown or McCormick Place, which can beat a solo rideshare if you’re traveling alone with bags.
Rideshare and taxis
- O’Hare rideshare: pickups are on the Upper Level of Terminal 2 (poles 2A to 2G, orange signs) and Terminal 3 (poles 3G, 3H, 3J and 3K, green signs). Your app will direct you if you land at Terminal 1 or 5.
- O’Hare taxis: lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal. The airport puts the average fare to downtown at about $50.
- Midway rideshare: Lower Level center lane outside baggage claim, Doors 2 to 4, split into color-coded zones.
- Midway taxis: Lower Level inner lane at Door 2; about $35 to $40 to downtown.
Parking: skip the terminal garage
| Lot | Daily max (taxes included) | How you reach the terminal |
|---|---|---|
| ORD Economy Lot G | $16 | Shuttle to the Multi-Modal Facility, then the ATS |
| ORD Economy Lot H | $16 | Shuttle to the Multi-Modal Facility, then the ATS |
| ORD Economy Lot F (covered) | $30 | Walk to the ATS in the Multi-Modal Facility |
| MDW Economy Garage and Lot | $15 | About a quarter mile west of Cicero Ave. |
At O’Hare, the ATS and lot shuttles run 24 hours a day and come every 5 to 10 minutes, per the airport. Leave extra time on the way out.
How points fit in
Ground transportation is a small cost, but it adds up. If your travel card earns bonus points on transit or rideshare, tapping it at the CTA gate or using it in the rideshare app earns points on the ride. Check your card’s terms, since bonus categories vary. And if you have time to kill before your flight, our guide to O’Hare vs. Midway lounges by terminal covers which cards and statuses get you in.
Our take
The upside: both Chicago airports have a direct ‘L’ train downtown, and Midway’s Orange Line at $2.50 is about as cheap and easy as airport transit gets. If you’re spending a few days in the city, a CTA pass covers the O’Hare premium fare too.
The downsides: the Blue Line from O’Hare is a longer ride than Midway’s Orange Line, it’s a trek from Terminal 5, and lugging big bags through the tunnels and onto a crowded train isn’t fun. With a group of three or four, a taxi or rideshare can cost about the same per person and save time. Fares and parking rates change, so check the CTA and Fly Chicago sites before you go.
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