Chicago has two main airports, and they work differently at the curb. This guide covers what each is like, where every kind of ride picks you up, when the trains run, and what to have ready if you book a car.
The two airports
O’Hare is the big one: a hub for United and American, with international flights at Terminal 5 (Chicago Department of Aviation). Midway is smaller and mostly domestic, with some international service (Chicago Department of Aviation).
Where each ride picks you up
This is the part that catches people out. At O’Hare, ride apps do not pick up at the arrivals curb at all: their waiting areas are on the upper level of Terminals 2 and 3 only, and travellers arriving at Terminal 5 take the airport train to Terminal 2 (flychicago.com). Taxis and pre-arranged cars stay on the lower level.
| Ride | O’Hare | Midway |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Lower level curb, outside baggage claim, every terminal | Lower level inner lane, Door 2 |
| Ride apps (Uber, Lyft) | Upper level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 only | Lower level center lane, Doors 2 to 4 |
| Pre-arranged car | Lower level center lane (lane 2) | Lower level center lane, Doors 1 and 2 |
The train
The CTA Blue Line reaches O’Hare and runs 24 hours a day. The Orange Line reaches Midway every day except overnight, when the N62 bus takes over (CTA).
Private flights
Both airports have FBOs, the private terminals for business and private aircraft: Signature at O’Hare (flychicago.com), and Atlantic Aviation and Signature at Midway (flychicago.com). Your car can wait at the FBO’s door, or planeside where the FBO permits it. The All Airports page covers the smaller private airports around the city.
If you book a car, have this ready
- The kind of trip: to the airport, from the airport, point to point, or by the hour.
- The date and pickup time, and your flight number if we are meeting you.
- The pickup address and the drop-off, plus any stops on the way.
- How many people and how many bags, and whether you need a child seat or an accessible vehicle.
Those are the questions the booking form asks. Then you choose the vehicle (a sedan, an SUV, or a Sprinter or mini-bus for a group) and see the price before you book. Nothing is charged until you confirm.