Getting to Chicago

Visitors destined for Chicago can choose from a variety of options for getting there, with arriving by air the most popular option for those coming from abroad. Chicagos O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is said to be the busiest airport in the world. The smaller Midway International Airport receives mainly domestic flights in addition to some Latin-American destinations. The road network is well developed, making driving by private or hire car a good option and also providing good conditions for coach services coming from North American cities. The efficient Amtrak railway network serves the city and Chicago is a major railway hub.

By car

Interstate 55 (Adlai Stevenson Expressway) leads into Chicago from the south-west, terminating at Lake Shore Drive. Interstate 90 joins Interstate 94 just south of the city and then runs parallel to the lakeshore through the city. Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) begins near the northern suburb of Buffalo Grove, before curving into downtown directly from the west. Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) leads through Chicagos western suburbs in a north/south direction. Interstate 88 comes in from the west and Interstate 80 goes round the southern perimeter of the city.

By rail

Chicagos train station is located at 210 South Canal Street, and is a major railway junction providing connections to and from key US destinations. From New York, the journey can be made by train in 18 hours, 30 minutes, from Kansas City in 7 hours, while from Memphis it takes 10 hours, 30 minutes. For more information on schedules and services, visit the rail providers website at http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage or call them on: +1 800 872 7245.

By bus

Chicago is connected to the extensive Greyhound coach network, serving most major US destinations. The Greyhound bus terminal is located at 630 Harrison Street.
Phone: +1 312 408 5800; website http://www.greyhound.com

By air

O'Hare International Airport is located 17 miles north-west of the centre of the city and is a modern facility offering daily scheduled flights to and from a large number of US and international destinations. Train services operating at eight-minute intervals run between the airport and the city centre. Meanwhile, taxis are on hand, as are car hire companies. The airport offers excellent passenger facilities, including a health club, a massage centre and a salon.

OHare International Airport

OHare International Airport operates four terminals with two levels. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 deal predominantly with domestic flights, while Terminal 5 handles international flights. Flights operate daily to around 60 international destinations, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London. There are five information desks located around the airport either on the upper floor of the International Terminal or the lower floors of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

OHare airport transportation

O'Hare International Airport is served by local mass transit lines, regional trains and buses, downtown and suburban shuttles and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance for each terminal.

The elevated train Blue Line is the most convenient option for transport to downtown Chicago. Rides last 45 minutes and the station can be reached by pedestrian tunnels from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The Bus/Shuttle Center is located on the ground level (Level 1 near elevator centre 3) of the elevated parking garage. Regional buses can also be caught at Terminal 5. Continental Airport Express offers services from the airport every 5 to 10 minutes, with tickets available at the kiosk outside of the International Terminal and at counters across from baggage claim on the lower levels of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.