Where will the downtown drop-off be?

Most services target Chicago Loop (Downtown), so drop a pin in your maps app before boarding.

How frequent are departures?

CTA Blue Line usually runs every 3-10 (15-30 overnight) minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.

ORDUnited StatesTPL: city-transfer-guide

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago, United States

Drop-off

Chicago Loop (Downtown)

Pin before customs

Fastest

CTA Blue Line

metro · 3-10 (15-30 overnight)m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: CTA Blue Line
Headway: 3-10 (15-30 overnight)
Backup: Metra North Central Service (NCS) – O'Hare Transfer to Chicago Union Station · 60-120 (weekday only)m

Note

24-hour rapid transit rail service from O'Hare station to downtown Chicago via the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, serving key Loop stops like Clark/Lake, Washington, and Monroe in about 45–50 minutes. Trains run every few minutes in the day/evening and every 15–30 minutes overnight.

Arrivals decoded

Chicago: City Transfer Guide

Fast, easy ways to reach the primary city center after landing. Targets queries likechicago airport busandord to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Budget path

Brief

Cheapest door-to-door option; expect extra stops and tighter luggage space.

Service: Pace Route 250 Dempster
Mode: bus
Freq: 30-60m
Note: Suburban bus from O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility via Des Plaines to Evanston (Davis CTA/Metra), where riders can transfer to CTA trains into downtown Chicago. Useful for north-suburban access rather than direct downtown travel; operates daily with reduced frequency after the Pulse Dempster Line launch.

Priority path

Brief

Fastest connection with wider aisles and better luggage handling.

Service: CTA Blue Line
Mode: metro
Freq: 3-10 (15-30 overnight)m
Note: 24-hour rapid transit rail service from O'Hare station to downtown Chicago via the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, serving key Loop stops like Clark/Lake, Washington, and Monroe in about 45–50 minutes. Trains run every few minutes in the day/evening and every 15–30 minutes overnight.

Fare math

Brief

Express trains tend to be twice as expensive but half the time. Budget routes take longer yet often have more frequent departures after work.

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FAQs

01Where will the downtown drop-off be?: Most services target Chicago Loop (Downtown), so drop a pin in your maps app before boarding.
02How frequent are departures?: CTA Blue Line usually runs every 3-10 (15-30 overnight) minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.