If you’re looking to get from O’Hare International Airport to the downtown Chicago area, one of the best options is to take the ‘L’. The ‘L’ is the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s rapid transit train system, and it is one of the most popular and efficient ways to travel around the greater Chicagoland area.
From O’Hare, you can take the Blue Line, which will take you downtown. It departs from O’Hare and goes south to the Forest Park terminal, then continues on to downtown. Depending on the time of day, the train typically takes between 40 minutes and an hour to get downtown. The cost of the fare varies based on the time of day and what zone you will be traveling to. The fare starts at $5 when you board at O’Hare and goes up from there.
The Blue Line also makes stops at major destinations along the way, including the Wicker Park neighborhood, Logan Square, and the United Center. This makes it an ideal way to get around the city and explore many of the popular locations. The CTA also offers connections to other lines of the ‘L’, including the Red, Brown, and Purple Lines, so you can easily transfer from one line to another to get to your destination.
Overall, the ‘L’ is a fast and reliable way to get from O’Hare to downtown Chicago. It is easy to use, is relatively inexpensive, and connects you to some of the most popular sites in the city. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the traffic or finding a place to park. So if you’re looking for a convenient and hassle-free way to get to downtown Chicago from O’Hare, the ‘L’ is definitely a great option.
How to take the L from O’Hare Airport to Downtown Chicago?
Taking the Chicago Transit Authority’s “L” train from O’Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago is a convenient, affordable way to get around the city. Generally, the trip will take around 45 minutes and cost $5.00.
To get started, you’ll need to purchase a Ventra card, the Chicago Transit Authority’s payment card, either from a Ventra vending machine at the airport or online. Once you have your card, you’re ready to get on the “L” train. You can catch the blue line directly from O’Hare, which will take you downtown. The blue line stops at all of the major downtown Chicago “L” stations, including the Loop, State/Lake, Clark/Lake, and LaSalle.
For the most convenient option, you can take the express train, which runs every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. The express train will take you directly from O’Hare to the Loop in approximately 45 minutes. For a slower, more scenic ride, you can take the local train, which stops more frequently and takes around one hour to reach the Loop. Both the express and local trains cost $5.00.
In addition to the train, you can take the Chicago Transit Authority bus from O’Hare to downtown Chicago. The bus will cost $2.50 and the trip will take around one hour. You can purchase a Ventra card to pay for the bus fare.
No matter which option you choose, you can be sure that you’ll arrive in downtown Chicago safely and quickly. To get the most out of your trip, make sure to plan ahead and purchase a Ventra card before you leave.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CTA L Train (Express) | $5.00 | 45 mins |
| CTA L Train (Local) | $5.00 | 60 mins |
| CTA Bus | $2.50 | 60 mins |
Traveling from O’Hare to Chicago: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re looking for an easy way to get from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago, the L is the way to go. The L, short for the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated train system, is a convenient and affordable way to get around Chicago.
To begin your journey, purchase a Ventra card or pay your fare with exact change at the turnstiles. The Ventra card is a reloadable transit card that can be used on all Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and trains. The Ventra card can be purchased at vending machines located in O’Hare Airport.
Once you have paid for your fare, head to the L station located in the lower level of O’Hare’s Terminal 1, which is connected to the rest of the airport’s terminals by free inter-terminal shuttles. The station is accessible from the lower level of Terminal 1, and the fare for the train is $2.50.
At the station, board the Blue Line train, which is the only train line that goes from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago. The train will take you all the way to the Clark/Lake station located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The ride is approximately 45 minutes long.
Once you arrive at the Clark/Lake station, you can take a bus, taxi, Uber, or Lyft to your final destination.
The following is a step-by-step guide to getting from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago:
- Purchase a Ventra card or pay your fare with exact change.
- Head to the L station located in the lower level of O’Hare’s Terminal 1.
- Board the Blue Line train.
- Ride the train to the Clark/Lake station.
- Take a bus, taxi, Uber, or Lyft to your final destination.
| Mode of Transportation | Price |
|---|---|
| Ventra Card | $2.50 |
| Bus | $2.50 |
| Taxi | $40–$50 |
| Uber | $25–$35 |
| Lyft | $20–$30 |
You can take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
No, it is not necessary to take a taxi from O’Hare to downtown Chicago. You can take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
It costs $5 per rider for a single ride ticket to take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
Yes, you can buy a ticket on the train to take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
The Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – is the best way to get from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
The Blue Line trains on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – run every 7-15 minutes from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.
Yes, there are other public transportation options available to take from O’Hare to downtown Chicago, such as the PACE bus.
Yes, it is possible to take the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago at night.
Yes, you can bring your luggage on the Blue Line train on the “L” – Chicago’s rapid transit system – from O’Hare to downtown Chicago.