Chicago

Chicago's AirportsVisitors traveling to Chicago have the luxury of choosing between two international airports – Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Both airports operate international flights, are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and have easy transfer options to the city.Situated on the northwest side of Chicago and 23 km (14 miles) away from downtown, O’Hare International Airport is the larger of the two airports and one of the handfuls of major immigration gateways into the US. There are four terminals, with Terminals 1, 2, and 3 operating domestic flights, and Terminal 5 for international flights.By far the easiest and most affordable way to travel between ORD and Chicago city center is via public transit. Blue Line trains provide service to O'Hare Airport via the O’Hare Station, which is located in the lower level of the concourse connecting to T1, 2, and 3. T5 passengers need to first use the free airport shuttle train. Fare costs $5, visitors will reach downtown in 40-45 minutes. Those who prefer to get a taxi should head to the official Taxi Stands at the lower-level curb front at each terminal. Make sure the taxi is metered and an average fare from O'Hare to downtown is $30-40.Chicago Midway International Airport is located in the southwest part of the city. The airport has only one terminal and is about 16 km (10 miles) from downtown. For transfer options, visitors can use the public transit Orange Line trains which provide service directly between Midway Airport and the downtown Loop. For a one-ride ticket of $5, visitors will reach the city center in 20-25 minutes. For taxis, visitors can head to the official Taxi Stands on the lower-level curb front of the terminals, and an average fare from Midway to downtown is $35-40.Transportation in ChicagoAs the third-largest city in the United States, Chicago is an extremely accessible city for tourists. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the second largest public transportation system in the country with eight ‘L’ train lines and 129 bus routes. Visitors get to ride the trains above-ground, at street-level, and underground too. Two lines operate 24/7, the Blue Line (Chicago O’Hare International Airport to downtown) and the Red Line (connecting North and South Sides via downtown). Visitors can buy a basic fare for $2.50, or get a Single-Ride Ventra Ticket for $3 as it’s good for up to 3 rides within 2 hours of use. To purchase the tickets, opt for a paper Ventra Ticket from the vending machine at every station, pay with a reloadable Ventra Transit Card, or get an Unlimited Ride Pass.With roughly 130 bus routes, Chicago's city buses cover areas that the L trains don't. The fare costs $2.25, or $2.50 if you want a transfer, and remember if you change from an L train to a bus it costs an extra $0.25. Getting a Ventra card will save you some hassle and time as you’ll need to pay the driver with the exact change. Buses are particularly useful for attractions like Museum Campus, Hyde Park, and Lincoln Park Zoo.If you want to head out to the suburbs, the Metra commuter trains have 12 routes from four terminals around the Loop. Fares are determined by the number of zones you travel through, so it can range from $4 to $11 for a single journey. Taxis are easy to find within downtown, and the fare begins at $3.25 for a metered ride and costs $2.25 per mile.