I recently returned from a trip to Chicago and wanted to share something I wish I had known earlier about transportation from O’Hare to downtown.
On arrival, we took an Uber from the airport to our hotel and paid about $68 for the trip during mid-afternoon traffic. During the ride, the driver mentioned that taking the train would be significantly cheaper, which we initially thought was exaggerated.
After checking, we discovered that the Blue Line “L” train connects O’Hare directly to downtown Chicago and runs 24/7. On our return trip, we took a short Uber ride to the nearest station and then used the train, which cost about $2.50 per person and took roughly 35–40 minutes.
We also noticed that Uber pricing can vary heavily depending on time of day, with fares increasing dramatically during peak hours. For travelers on a budget, the train appears to be a much more cost-effective option.
There is also convenient access to airport-area hotels via underground connections, which can be useful if arriving early or waiting for check-in.