Guide · Updated October 2026 · By Artisan Limo
O'Hare Ground Transportation
O'Hare ground transportation includes taxis, prearranged car services and limos, ride apps, the CTA Blue Line, Metra, Pace buses, hotel and parking shuttles, and regional buses. Each one picks up in a different place. Taxis and car services are on the lower level outside baggage claim, standard ride apps are on the upper level at Terminals 2 and 3, hotel shuttles are at the Terminal 2 arrivals curb, and regional buses leave from the Multi Modal Facility. This guide covers every option, with prices and pickup areas from O'Hare's and the CTA's websites (checked October 2026).
Reserve your ride
Quick guide: Blue Line $5 (24 hours) · Taxi average $50 to downtown · Car service from $135, price shown before you book · Hotel shuttles at Terminal 2 arrivals · Regional buses at the Multi Modal Facility
At a glance
O'Hare transportation options at a glance
| Option | Price | Where it picks up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan car service | From $135 (sedan). Complete price shown before you book | Lower-level center lane (lane 2), every terminal, or inside with meet-and-greet | Door-to-door rides, groups, late flights, business travel |
| Taxi | Meter. O'Hare lists an average of $50 to downtown | Taxi stands, lower level outside baggage claim | Rides without booking |
| Ride apps (Uber, Lyft) | Set when you request; changes with demand | Upper level, Terminals 2 and 3 | Rides booked on arrival |
| CTA Blue Line | $5 boarding at O'Hare | Station on the lower level of the parking garage | Light travelers going to a Blue Line stop |
| Metra North Central Service | Zone fare | O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi Modal Facility | Union Station and the north suburbs on weekdays |
| Hotel and parking shuttles | Set by the hotel or lot | Terminal 2 arrivals curb (some at Terminal 5) | Guests of airport hotels and off-airport lots |
| Regional buses | Set by each bus company | Multi Modal Facility, 10255 W. Zemke Blvd | Wisconsin, Indiana and downstate Illinois |
Airport train
Getting around inside O'Hare: the Airport Transit System
The Airport Transit System (ATS) is O'Hare's free airport train. O'Hare's Terminal 5 map says it runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, linking Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5, the parking lots and the Multi Modal Facility, where you find the Metra station, Pace buses and regional buses. You'll use it to get from Terminal 5 to the Blue Line or the rideshare zones.
Taxi
O'Hare taxi
Taxi stands are on the lower level outside baggage claim at each terminal. O'Hare asks passengers to use the marked taxi stands so they get a licensed driver, and not to accept rides from drivers outside the stands or on the departure level. Taxis run on the meter, and the airport lists an average fare of $50 to downtown, depending on traffic. The airport also notes that Chicago taxi rates changed on July 1, 2026. Suburban taxis are prearranged by calling a suburban taxi company and pick up in the lower-level commercial lanes.
Car service
Car service and limos
Prearranged car services and limousines meet passengers only in designated areas of the lower-level center lane (lane 2), according to O'Hare. Call your service once you've claimed your bags and they give you the plate, car description and door. Some services also meet you inside baggage claim and walk you to the car.
With Artisan Limo, your chauffeur tracks your flight and meets you in lane 2 at your terminal, including Terminal 5. Domestic arrivals in a sedan or SUV include 60 minutes of waiting and international arrivals 90 minutes, counted from wheels-down. For Sprinters, vans and coaches, waiting is set in the written quote. An optional meet-and-greet is $25. Rates and vehicles are on our O'Hare car service page.
Starting fares are the minimum for each vehicle class, not a fixed airport or destination fare. Your complete price depends on the exact addresses, time and options, and you see it before you book. Required trip costs are included. Gratuity is optional.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Starting from |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Sedan | Up to 2 | $135 |
| Executive SUV (Suburban) | Up to 6 | $155 |
| Luxury SUV (Escalade) | Up to 6 | $185 |
| Luxury Sedan (S-Class / 7 Series) | Up to 2 | $235 |
Blue Line
CTA Blue Line
The Blue Line runs 24 hours from O'Hare to downtown Chicago, according to the airport. The station is on the lower level of the parking garage. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow "Trains to City" signs through the basement-level pedestrian tunnels. From Terminal 5, ride the ATS to Terminal 2 or 3 first. The fare is $5 when you board at O'Hare, and you can pay with cash or a card at the machines outside the station. More on the trip downtown: O'Hare to downtown Chicago.
Metra & Pace
Metra and Pace buses
Metra's North Central Service runs weekday trains from the O'Hare Transfer station to Union Station downtown, and north to Antioch. Take the ATS to the Multi Modal Facility, and the station is behind the building on the northeast corner. Tickets are sold by the conductor.
Pace suburban buses stop at the Multi Modal Facility, bus bays 8 and 9. O'Hare lists Pace Route 250, which runs daily to the Des Plaines Metra station and on to downtown Evanston.
Shuttles
O'Hare shuttles
Hotel and parking shuttles
All hotel and off-airport parking shuttle pickups have moved from the old Bus Shuttle Center to the Terminal 2 arrivals curb, according to O'Hare. Some shuttles still pick up at Terminal 5, so check with your hotel or parking company.
Regional buses
Scheduled regional buses pick up at the Multi Modal Facility (MMF), 10255 W. Zemke Blvd, reached by the ATS from any terminal. O'Hare's Shuttles and Buses page lists services to Madison, Janesville and Rockford, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, Peoria, Normal and Champaign, and Midway and Union Station.
Charter buses
Non-scheduled charter buses pick up in the lower-level commercial lanes at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and in the outer commercial lane at Terminal 5, Door 5D. Charter buses can't use the Multi Modal Facility. With Artisan Limo, Mini Coaches (up to 24 passengers) and Motorcoaches (up to 56 passengers) are priced by written quote.
Is there a shuttle from O'Hare to downtown?
The Blue Line is the public option to downtown. For a private ride, book a car, SUV or Sprinter: one vehicle for your group, priced per vehicle, not per person, with a chauffeur who drops everyone at the hotel door.
Picking someone up
Picking someone up at O'Hare
Drivers picking up a friend use the lower-level arrivals curb, the outermost curb. O'Hare doesn't allow curbside waiting, and unattended vehicles are ticketed and towed. Wait in the free Cell Phone Lot at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive until your passenger has their bags and is outside.
To Midway
Getting from O'Hare to Midway
According to Midway, the CTA route between the two airports is the Orange Line to Clark/Lake downtown, then a free transfer to the Blue Line to O'Hare. Midway also lists shared-ride taxis at $35 per person from Midway to O'Hare. A car service takes you directly between terminals. For Midway's own pickup areas, see Midway Airport car service and Midway to downtown Chicago.
Vehicles
Choose your vehicle
Sprinters, Mini Coaches and Motorcoaches are priced by written quote for your date and group.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Bags | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Sedan | Up to 2 passengers | Up to 3 bags | Solo travelers and couples |
| Luxury Sedan (S-Class / 7 Series) | Up to 2 passengers | Up to 3 bags | Executives and VIP guests |
| Executive SUV (Suburban) | Up to 6 passengers | Up to 6 bags | Families, child seats, extra luggage |
| Luxury SUV (Escalade) | Up to 6 passengers | Up to 6 bags | Small groups traveling in style |
| Jet Sprinter | About 8–10 passengers | 4–6 bags | Executive groups and VIP guests |
| Executive Sprinter | About 13 passengers | By layout | Teams and airport groups |
| Limo Sprinter | About 8–17 passengers | 4–6 bags | Nights out, weddings and celebrations |
| Mini Coach | Up to 24 passengers | By coach | Events and guest groups |
| Motorcoach | Up to 56 passengers | By coach | Large events and conferences |
How to book
Book your O'Hare car service
Still deciding between a car and a ride app? Read O'Hare car service vs Uber.
Enter your trip
Pickup, destination, date, time, passengers and bags. For airports, add the flight number.
Review your price
Choose a vehicle, see the complete trip price and send your request. Your card is saved, not charged. Sprinters and coaches get a written quote.
Ride
Artisan confirms your ride and charges the price you accepted. Your chauffeur meets you at the address, or at the airport on your actual arrival time.
Book
Book your ride from O'Hare
Enter your flight and address in the booking form to see your price, or call the concierge at (888) 850-0420. Back to car service Chicago.
Personal attention, every mile
Before you book
O'Hare ground transportation FAQ
For your exact route, vehicle and timing, review the trip details and terms before submitting.
Speak with the conciergeWhat is the cheapest way to get from O'Hare airport to downtown Chicago?
The CTA Blue Line, at $5 when you board at O'Hare, according to the CTA. It runs 24 hours.
How much should a taxi cost from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?
O'Hare lists an average taxi fare of $50 to downtown, depending on traffic. Taxis run on the meter, and Chicago taxi rates changed on July 1, 2026.
Is there a shuttle from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?
Hotel and parking shuttles pick up at the Terminal 2 arrivals curb and go to their own hotel or lot. For downtown, the public option is the Blue Line. For door-to-door service, a car, SUV or Sprinter with a chauffeur takes your group straight to the hotel.
Is an airport shuttle cheaper than a taxi?
It depends on the trip, the time and how many people are riding. A shuttle or train is priced per person. A taxi runs on the meter. An Artisan car is priced per vehicle, not per person, and you see the full price before you book.
Where do hotel shuttles pick up at O'Hare?
At the Terminal 2 arrivals curb, according to O'Hare. Some shuttles still pick up at Terminal 5, so check with your hotel.
Where are the taxis at O'Hare?
At the taxi stands on the lower level outside baggage claim at each terminal.
Where does Uber pick up at O'Hare?
Standard rides pick up on the upper level at Terminal 2 (zones 2A to 2G) and Terminal 3 (zones 3G to 3K). Terminal 5 riders take the airport train to Terminal 2. Uber Black and black cars pick up on the lower level.
Where do car services and limos pick up at O'Hare?
In designated areas of the lower-level center lane (lane 2) at each terminal, according to O'Hare. Call your service after claiming bags for the car and door.
Does O'Hare have a train to the city?
Yes. The CTA Blue Line station is at the airport and runs 24 hours. Metra's North Central Service also runs weekday trains from the O'Hare Transfer station to Union Station.
What is the best way to get from Chicago airport to my hotel?
If you have light bags and your hotel is near a Blue Line stop, the train is the low-cost choice. With bags, a group, a late arrival or a hotel away from the line, a car service takes you to the door, follows your flight and shows the price before you book.
How much is a car service from O'Hare?
With Artisan, rides start from $135 in an Executive Sedan, $155 in a Suburban, $185 in an Escalade and $235 in an S-Class or 7 Series. The final price depends on your address and you see it before you book.
Can I cancel an Artisan airport ride?
Standard confirmed transfers get a full refund when you cancel at least 48 hours before pickup. Inside 48 hours, any refund is at Artisan's discretion. Group programs use 7 days.
Plan the rest of your journey
Policies and planning
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