You just stepped off an Amtrak train. Your back is a little stiff from the ride, and the Great Hall of Union Station is admittedly stunning, but you’ve got a flight to catch. The clock is ticking. Getting from Chicago Union Station to ORD—O’Hare International Airport—is one of those "choose your own adventure" scenarios where the wrong choice costs you an hour of your life and a lot of unnecessary stress.
Chicago is a city of layers. You have the L trains screaming overhead, the Metra commuter lines snaking through the suburbs, and a highway system that feels like a giant parking lot the moment a single snowflake touches the ground. If you’re standing on Canal Street wondering whether to hail a cab or descend into the blue-lit depths of the subway, you need more than just a GPS estimate. You need to know how the city actually breathes.
Honestly, the "best" way depends entirely on how much luggage you're hauling and whether you’re traveling during the dreaded 4:00 PM rush.
The Blue Line Reality Check
Most people will tell you to take the Blue Line. It’s cheap. It’s consistent. It runs 24/7. But here is the thing: Union Station and the Blue Line "Clinton" station aren't actually connected.
You have to walk.
Exit Union Station and head south on Canal Street. You’ll cross the river eventually if you go too far, but you’re looking for the entrance near Congress Parkway (now officially Ida B. Wells Drive). It’s about a two-block trek. If it’s raining or if Chicago’s "sideways wind" is kicking up, those two blocks feel like two miles. Once you’re downstairs, you pay your $5 (airport rate is higher for the return, but standard fare applies heading toward the airport) and wait.
The Blue Line is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes about 45 to 55 minutes from Clinton to the O’Hare station. You’ll pass through the Loop, head out through Wicker Park and Logan Square, and eventually hit the long stretch through the Northwest side. The cars can be crowded. You might be standing next to a guy with a cello or a group of teenagers heading to a concert. It’s the authentic Chicago experience.
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The biggest perk? No traffic. While the Kennedy Expressway ($I-90$) is turning into a graveyard of brake lights, you’re humming along at 55 mph underground.
Metra: The "Secret" North Central Service
Hardly anyone talks about the Metra North Central Service (NCS) because it’s a commuter line with a very specific schedule. But if the timing aligns, it is arguably the most civilized way to get from Chicago Union Station to ORD.
The NCS line departs directly from Union Station. You don't have to leave the building. You don't have to walk in the rain. You just board a quiet, double-decker train with comfortable seats and outlets.
The catch is the "O'Hare Transfer" station. It’s not actually inside the terminal. When you hop off the Metra, you have to board the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) shuttle or take the Airport Transit System (ATS) tram to get to the actual terminals.
- Pros: Fast, quiet, no walking outside, departs from the same terminal you arrived at.
- Cons: Extremely limited schedule. It mostly runs during weekday peak hours. If you miss that 4:15 PM train, you might be waiting a while. Always check the Ventra app or the physical boards in the South Concourse before committing to this.
Rideshares and the Kennedy Expressway Gamble
Taking an Uber or Lyft from Chicago Union Station to ORD is a roll of the dice. On a Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM? You might make it in 35 minutes. On a Friday at 3:30 PM? Godspeed. I’ve seen that drive take two hours.
The pickup point at Union Station can be chaotic. Usually, you’ll head to the designated rideshare zones on Canal or Riverside Plaza. Drivers hate this area because of the construction near the Jane Byrne Interchange—a massive project that has been the bane of Chicagoans for years.
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If you choose a car, you’re paying for convenience, not speed. Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $90 depending on surge pricing. If you have three people and six suitcases, it’s worth it. If you’re a solo traveler with a backpack, you’re better off on the rails.
Professional Shuttles and Taxis
Taxis are still a thing here. Sometimes, the taxi line at Union Station is faster than waiting for a rideshare driver to navigate the confusing "lower level" streets. Chicago cabbies know the shortcuts. They know when to bail off the Kennedy and take Elston Avenue or Milwaukee Avenue to bypass a wreck.
There aren't many dedicated "shuttles" left that run specifically between these two points since the rise of Uber, but some private airport limo services can be pre-booked. These are mostly for business travelers who need a guaranteed pickup and a quiet place to take a call.
Terminal 5: The International Exception
If you are flying international, remember that most international flights (and all Southwest flights) operate out of Terminal 5.
The Blue Line takes you to the heart of the airport (Terminals 1, 2, and 3). To get to Terminal 5, you have to get off the train and board the ATS (the "people mover") tram. This adds about 10-15 minutes to your total travel time. Don't cut it close. The ATS is reliable now—it was down for years for renovations—but it’s still an extra step you have to account for.
Making the Decision
When you're standing in that marble hallway at Union Station, look at your watch.
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If it's between 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM or 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM on a weekday, do not take a car. You will sit in traffic and watch your departure time vanish. Take the Blue Line. It’s gritty, it’s loud, but it works.
If you have a lot of bags and it’s midday on a weekend, treat yourself to a cab or an Uber. The walk to the Blue Line with three suitcases is a special kind of hell involving narrow sidewalks and heavy revolving doors.
If you are a transit nerd and the stars align with the Metra schedule, take the North Central Service. It’s the most "executive" feeling transit experience for the price of a sandwich.
Critical Logistics to Remember
- The Ventra Card: You can tap your phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) at the Blue Line turnstiles. No need to wait in line at the vending machines.
- Safety: The Blue Line is generally fine, but like any major city transit, keep your wits about you, especially late at night. Stay in the first car near the operator if you feel uneasy.
- The Walk: Exit Union Station via the Clinton Street exits if you’re heading for the Blue Line. It saves you from crossing the entire building internally.
- Food: If you’re starving, Union Station has plenty of options (and a great food hall nearby), but O’Hare’s food scene has improved drastically. If you have time, Publican Tavern in Terminal 3 is a local favorite.
The trip from Chicago Union Station to ORD is roughly 18 miles. In some cities, that's a 20-minute breeze. In Chicago, it’s a journey. Plan for at least 90 minutes from the moment you step off your Amtrak train to the moment you stand in the security line at O'Hare. This gives you a buffer for "L" delays, traffic, or just getting lost in the subterranean maze of the station.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the Ventra App: It’s the only way to see real-time Metra schedules and track the Blue Line trains accurately.
- Check the "L" Status: Visit the CTA website or Twitter/X feed for "Blue Line" alerts. If there is a "signal problem" or "medical emergency," the whole system can grind to a halt.
- Confirm your Terminal: Triple-check if you’re flying out of Terminal 5. It’s physically separated from the others and requires that extra tram ride.
- Locate your Exit: Before you get off the train at Union Station, look at a map of the exits. Following the "To City Streets" signs can lead you blocks away from where you actually need to be for your Uber or the Blue Line.