Getting from O'Hare International Airport to the city

The one decision worth making before you tap

• CTA runs a separate fare for entering the system at O'Hare: $5. The ordinary 'L' fare is $2.50. The charge is applied on entry at O'Hare station only, from a Ventra transit account using a Ventra Card or a contactless pay-as-you-go method.
• A 1-Day CTA/Pace Pass costs exactly the same $5 and, in CTA's own words, boards at O'Hare for no additional charge. Unless you plan to make precisely one journey in Chicago and then never move again, the pass is strictly better for the same money.
• If you are staying two or three days, the 3-Day Pass at $15 is the obvious buy. Three single airport entries would cost the same and get you three rides.
• This works in one direction. Coming back out to the airport there is no surcharge and you pay the ordinary fare, so a day pass on your departure day is a convenience rather than a saving.

The Blue Line

• It runs 24 hours a day, between O'Hare and Forest Park via downtown. Very few American airport rail links do, and it is the reason a late arrival at O'Hare is not the problem it is at most US airports.
• The station is under the airport, at the end of a walkway from the terminals rather than a separate shuttle ride.
• Downtown is the Loop, where the Blue Line calls at Clark/Lake, Washington, Monroe, Jackson and LaSalle.

The rest of the fare table

• 'L' train fare $2.50, bus fare $2.25.
• Transfers are free for up to two additional rides within two hours, on both bus and train.
• Cash on a bus costs $2.50 and buys no transfer, so it is the one payment method to avoid.
• Reduced fares are $1.25 on the 'L' and $1.10 on the bus, and the O'Hare entry is $1.25 at the reduced rate.