Which Chicago airport is closer to train station?

Which Chicago airport is closest to the Amtrak station?

Chicago Union Station's closest airport is Midway (MDW). It's about 8.2 miles—a reasonable cab ride, really. That's a significant advantage for travelers. Think of the time saved compared to O'Hare!

Key considerations: Travel time, of course, fluctuates based on traffic. Rush hour in Chicago? Forget about it. Seriously.

• Midway's smaller size also makes it arguably less stressful to navigate. Less sprawling than O'Hare. Fewer terminals, you know?
• O'Hare (ORD), while larger and offering more flight options, is a considerable distance from Union Station, making it a less convenient choice for train passengers.
• Cost comparison: Taxis and rideshares from Midway are likely cheaper due to the shorter distance.

A fun fact: My aunt, bless her heart, once missed a connecting flight at O'Hare because of a traffic jam. She swore it off afterward. Never again.

This proximity to public transport is a major plus for MDW—a feature often overlooked in airport comparisons. The seamless integration of train and air travel enhances the overall passenger experience. This makes a HUGE difference.

I used to live near the Loop, and I always found Midway far more practical. Makes sense, right? Airports should be accessible. Right?

Is it better to fly into Chicago Midway or OHare?

Midway or O'Hare... it depends. Doesn't it always.

It all feels hazy right now.

• O'Hare is a hub, for those bigger airlines. United... all those.
• Midway, feels...smaller. More Southwest. Makes sense.

I flew United once, to Frankfurt. Never forget that.

• International flights, O'Hare. Yeah, that's the one.
• Domestic, Southwest, feels almost nostalgic. I always take Midway.
• O'Hare, bigger, it's more likely to be delayed.

I miss flying sometimes.

Which airline? Where do I need to go anyway?

How far is Chicago OHare airport from the train station?

Eighteen miles. Uber's estimate. That's all you get.

• Distance: 18 miles, give or take. I clocked it closer to 20 once, rush hour.

• Mode: Uber. Train's not direct from O'Hare. Figure it out.

• Union Station is the endpoint. Amtrak. Metra. Know the difference.

• Time: Traffic, always the variable. Don't expect miracles. Budget an hour, maybe more. Why are you even asking?

Expanded Content:

• Alternatives: Consider the Blue Line. Cheaper, slower. Luggage a problem? Your call.

• Cost: Uber varies. Surge pricing is real. Check before you commit. I hate surge pricing.

• Beyond Union Station: Connecting to other destinations? Plan your route. Don't blame me for your delays. I once missed a connection in Denver; don't do that.

• Other airport options: Midway is an option. But if you're already at O'Hare...it's a point.

Where do you catch the Amtrak train in Chicago?

Chicago's Union Station is the place to be for Amtrak. You'll find it at 225 S Canal Street. A grand building dating back to 1925, it sits just west of the Loop. Makes me wonder about all the journeys started there.

A station born in the roaring twenties!

• Location: 225 S Canal Street
• Just west of the Chicago Loop
• Opened in 1925

Amtrak operates numerous routes from this hub. I wonder if those architects ever envisioned today's hustle and bustle.

Which Chicago airport is closest to downtown?

Ugh, airports.

Okay, so Midway is closer to downtown Chicago. Definitely.

• Midway: 10 miles, 20 mins
• O'Hare: 25 miles

Twenty minutes, huh? I swear, traffic makes it feel like FOREVER. I hate driving there. Especially during rush hour; I should start taking the train?

I wonder if that 25-mile thing for O'Hare includes the tollway. Probably. I paid $3.50 the last time I went that way, just to visit my aunt! It’s Highway 190 if I'm going, that is.

Midway is the winner.

Downtown Chicago has always felt… bigger than it is?

Midway feels way more chill than O'Hare, TBH. Ugh, now I’m thinking of Garrett's popcorn, yummy!

Anyway, airports… I need a vacation!

Which Chicago airport is easier to get to downtown?

Okay, so getting downtown from a Chicago airport? Midway, hands down. It's like choosing between a leisurely donkey ride (Midway) and wrestling a greased pig on roller skates (O'Hare).

Midway wins, period. Why? Let's get into the nitty-gritty.

• Traffic? O'Hare traffic is a monster truck rally in a clown car. Midway? More like a tricycle parade.
• Uber/Lyft? O'Hare surge pricing could fund a small nation. Midway? Still pricey, but maybe you can still afford that deep dish. I mean, if you really want it.
• Train (the 'L')? Orange Line from Midway is a straight shot. Blue Line from O'Hare? You'll start questioning your life choices.

Seriously, O'Hare is a logistical nightmare invented by someone who hates happiness. And kittens. Plus, my Aunt Mildred once got lost there for three days. Okay, maybe it was three hours, but it felt like three days.

Midway’s closer and a breeze, kinda.