Air
Chicago is a major hub for domestic and international travel and is well served by a number of airlines world-wide. Flying direct into O’Hare International Airport – the country’s second busiest – is your quickest and easiest approach. O’Hare is on the city’s north-west side, about 17 miles out from the centre. It’s served directly by train, taxi, shared-ride van, shuttle and bus. Within the airport, the Airport Transit System provides a quick, convenient, and free service for transfers to and from the terminals. It can also be used to reach the long-term parking facility. The quickest and most reliable way to travel downtown by public transport is to use the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train which leaves every eight minutes. Details at www.transitchicago.com. Tickets are about $2 one-way. The shuttle centre is on the ground floor of the elevated parking garage. Continental Airport Express shuttles leave the airport every five to ten minutes; tickets can be purchased at the kiosk outside the international terminal and at the lower levels of terminals 1, 2 and 3. Alternatively, reserve online at www.chicago-airport-shuttle.com/continental-airport-express. The shuttle will take you to your hotel for around $25, but bear in mind it’s a shared service and there could be several stops on the way. Taxis are the most expensive option and you’re at the whim of Chicago traffic. A single fare could run anywhere from $40 up, plus tip. Cabs are plentiful and can be found outside any terminal.
Midway Airport, on the city’s southwest side, sees a much smaller flow of mostly domestic commuter flights, but is nonetheless an option for those already in the US who have included Chicago on a multi-city itinerary. The quickest and cheapest way to reach downtown from here is the frequent CTA Orange Line train which makes the ten-mile trip in just under half an hour. Alternatively, you can pick up a taxi just outside the baggage claim area. Fares are metered and a ride into downtown will set you back about $25 plus tip. The Continental Airport Express Shuttle is also available from Midway. The fare’s around $20.
Train
Travel by train can be a more scenic and leisurely option, though not likely to be much cheaper than air travel. Amtrak rail services (www.amtrak.com) connect Chicago with most major US cities. But bear in mind that this is one of the world’s largest countries with vast distances separating the major destinations. A train journey from New York to Chicago, for instance, would be an overnighter taking between 17 and 19 hours.
Road
The national bus line, Greyhound (www.greyhound.com) runs frequent buses from major Midwestern cities (Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis) – usually around ten a day from each city. There are also a few buses from farther afield, but again, it’s a long journey from, say, New York or the West Coast. Driving to Chicago will give you some flexibility, but once you reach the city you’re not likely to need a car unless you’re short on time or want to explore outlying areas. Arranging a car in advance will save you money. At least four major expressways feed into downtown Chicago: I-90/94 from the northwest and north; I-290 from the west; I-55 from the southwest and I-90/94 from the south.
