Chicago Ohare to Union Station

[NorthShore]

At the right times of weekdays, at least, you could indeed take the people mover to the end of its line, then the shuttle bus to the Metra North Central service stop. That train takes you right into Union Station.

If you're going to take a cab, either the trip to Glenview (be certain you go there, where the Amtrak station is and not the North Glenview stop) as has been recommended.

Or, I might suggest taking CTA to Jackson (where there are elevators available) and either a bus (west on Adams, a half block from the exit) or cab (which you can catch right along Dearborn by the exit) for the last few blocks to Union Station. In fact, I would generally recommended this route (and its reverse along Jackson to Dearborn and the Blue Line) over Clinton, especially to anyone traveling with luggage, as the Clinton stop has neither an escalator nor elevator up to the street.)

 

[Steve4031]

Elevators and escalators are frequently out of order.

 

[user 1215]

Is "El" and "L" pronounced the same?

Anyway, $5 is still a bargain, even at twice the price.

 

[PRR 60]

...

Anyway, $5 is still a bargain, even at twice the price.

Particularly when your cruising along on the Blue Line and the Kennedy (with the cabs, vans and buses) is at a standstill. Come out of a Loop area meeting at 4pm heading for O'Hare, and the Blue Line is the only way to fly.

 

[NorthShore]

Is "El" and "L" pronounced the same

Yes. And, while some make a fuss over the spelling, it isn't really all that important, unless you're writing a history or some formal essay. On a practical level, it's really just potato/potahto.

 

[lthanlon]

If you're taking the Blue Line L from O'Hare to Clinton to reach Union Station, allow plenty of extra time. Mechanical problems, weather conditions, construction, and the occasional medical emergency can cause delays.

Also, once you arrive at Clinton and ascend to street level, make sure you're heading the right direction. I live in Chicago and ride the Blue Line to work every day -- and more than once have walked a block or two the wrong direction.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Look down about halfway on this web page and you will see the CTA O'Hare to Chicago fare is $5.00. They recently increased it to milk the tourists flying in and wanting to take the train downtown. You can avoid that by buying a multi-ride pass.

Paying $5 is one third the cost of a van and as little as one tenth the cost of a taxi or rental. In the grand scheme of things being asked for $5 to bypass the traffic and support continued passenger rail remains a great value. If you're genuinely hurting for $5 then you should probably avoid airports and stay home.