How to Get Around Chicago

How transport works in Chicago

The L (elevated + subway trains) reaches O'Hare (Blue Line 45 min, US$5) and Midway (Orange Line 30 min, US$2.50) plus Downtown, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park. US$2.50 per ride or US$5 unlimited day pass with Ventra card. Uber/Lyft plentiful. Divvy bike-share US$18 day pass. Walk the Loop, Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile — Downtown is grid-perfect and walkable.

Your options compared

• The L (elevated + subway)

  8 lines including Blue (O'Hare), Red (Wrigley), Orange (Midway); US$2.50 per ride.

• Metra commuter rail

  Reaches Milwaukee (90 min) + suburbs; separate fare US$4–10.

• Divvy bike share

  US$18/day pass; lakefront trail is 30 km flat riverside/lakeside.

• Uber/Lyft

  US$10–25 between Loop neighbourhoods.

Passes and tickets

Ventra card US$5 (refunded on load); day pass US$5, 3-day US$15, 7-day US$28 unlimited L + bus.

Local transport tips

Contactless credit card taps directly on L + bus. Walking the Loop + Mag Mile + Millennium Park is easy and free.

Arriving from the airport

• Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)

  Blue Line L direct from ORD to Downtown 45 min US$5; Uber/Lyft US$40–60; taxi flat US$45.

• Chicago Midway (MDW)

  Orange Line L to Downtown 30 min US$2.50; Uber US$25–40; taxi flat US$35.

Do you need a rental car?

Inside Chicago a car is usually a liability — parking and traffic cost more than transit. A rental earns its keep for day trips and regional drives, so compare rates only for the days you actually leave the city.