Facts About Chicago

• Chicago is the largest city of Illinois and third largest city of the United States after New York City and Los Angeles.
• Chicago has various nicknames including “Chi-town”, “Windy City”, “Second City,” the “City of Big Shoulders”, and “American of big cities”.
• A unique downtown Chicago feature is its multi-leveled streets, the most well-known of which is Wacker Drive. This double-decker street comprises an upper-level riverfront boulevard and a lower-level roadway for commercial and through traffic.Chicago’s downtown area is known as “The Loop,” which refers to the area encircled by the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated (‘L’) train tracks.The CTA operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system. In an average year, the CTA provides more than 450 million bus and train rides.

Source: choosechicago.com

There are options on how you can get to downtown Chicago or the Loop Area if you are coming from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Depending on your budget, time and comfort level to take public transit. Here are the 3 common options:

• Taxi – You can take a taxi from the airport. This will take about xx minutes and around $xx
• Uber
• Bus
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Train – This will take about 40 – 45 minutes and will cost only $5.00. You can use the ticket for 2 hrs if you need to transfer to other train station

Chicago Transit

Buying a Pass from O’Hare Airport to Downtown Chicago

Buying the transit pass or CTA Tickets at the Ohare Terminal is quite easy. The Train terminal is located 2 levels below from the arrival area. Once you reach the end of the lower level, turn right and head straight. The ticket machines are located far end close to the entrance of the train platform.

Watch the short video below to see how I get to the train station and how I bought the ticket. The video is not as good as I want it to be as I was struggling with my luggage and holding the camera and buying the ticket at the same time, but nonetheless it will give you an idea. It’s easy!

Check the transit website for up to date information

Airport Transit

• The normal travel time on the Blue Line from O’Hare to downtown, is 40-45 minutes.
• The CTA Blue Line provides service directly into O’Hare Airport(Opens in a new window).
• The accessible O’Hare station is situated in the lower level concourse, which connects directly to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and can be conveniently accessed from Terminal 5 via a free, airport shuttle train.

Getting to the Blue Line from Terminals 1, 2 and 3

If you’re coming from domestic and international flights arriving at Terminals 1, 2 or 3, follow signs in the airport to “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City.” These will lead you to the train station. You can walk from the baggage claim to the train in under ten minutes from any of these three terminals.

Getting to the Blue Line from (International) Terminal 5

If you’re coming from international flights that land in Terminal 5, follow signs to the Airport Transit System (ATS). Ride the next train to Terminal 2 and exit the train at the station. Then, follow signs to “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City.”

Heading to Downtown: From Vancouver to Chicago, Lets GO!

The train was a bit old and small so if you have large luggages, it will be a bit challenging especially during the busy hours. I only had a small carry-on and a personal bag so that work just fine.

There is a map at the train platform and you will see all the stops of the blue line. When inside the train, pay attention to the stop announcements so you do not miss your stop. There is also a signage of the next stop inside the train.

My stop was Washington station and from there is supposedly 5 minutes walk to Arlo Chicago Hotel. It took me more than 5 minutes for sure before I found it, so that the important thing. Arlo Hotel is highly recommended and I have a separate post and video just for this.

That’s it for this post. I hope you find this helpful. Watch my other Chicago videos coming up soon. I will be sharing the hotels were I stayed, the activities that I did and the food that I ate. Have a look at these videos while I work on the post details :) Byeee!

Chicago Video Playlist

Featured Video: Let’s Walk Around Millenium Park to Buckingham Fountain

Click the item to see the full post

Featured Posts:

• How to take CTA Train from O’Hare International Airport to Chicago Downtown
• Where to Stay in Chicago: Arlo Hotel
• Architecture Boat Tour – One of the MUST do activity when in Chicago
• Chicago Eats!
• What to see at Millenium Park
• Day Visit @Navy Pier in Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park
• Buckingham Fountain Lights Display
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Navy Pier at Night
• Architecture Boat Tour at Night
• Walking River Walk at Night
• Downtown Chicago Night Walk
• Chicago Starbucks Roastery
• CitizenMHotel, a Unique botique Hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago
• Art on theMart, A River Walk Lights Display
• Crown Fountain at Night

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