Chicago is one of the world’s greatest cities and, as such, offers visitors many opportunities to explore varied fields of interest. The big question is...how do I get started? Whether you are arriving at either Midway International ( MDW ) or O’Hare International Airport ( ORD ), the fastest (and by far the cheapest) way to get into the city is by the Chicago Transit Authority(CTA) Rapid Transit, known locally as "The El" for Elevated, which is how it operates in many parts of the city. There are convenient boarding stations at each airport and for $2.00 you will be transported quickly and relatively quietly to the heart of the city. Visitors should consider the CTA Visitor Pass which allows unlimited riding on CTA busses and trains at a significant discount for those making multiple stops, and dramatically reduces the stress of travel. The cards can be purchased well in advance at the CTA website and mailed to your home address or purchased at MDW and ORD when you arrive. You can actually travel between the two airports on The El, but it requires a transfer between lines. It would be good to research in advance the various stops and the one closest to your hotel, etc. There are system maps in some of the stations and in some train cars, but don't rely on them being there.  It takes approximately 35 minutes to get downtown from Midway, and about 45 minutes from O'Hare.  Give the "El" a try and you will be convinced. Do come and enjoy this wonderful city!!

While there are other ways to get "downtown" such as taxi, you will pay much more.  The city guidelines say it is generally $30 for a cab ride, but while that is an accurate fare to Midway, it is more like $40-45 to O'Hare.  The time to get downtown can also vary when you are in a taxi - Midway is usually 15-20 minutes, but to/ from O'Hare will take about 25-30 minutes with no traffic, but can be 60-75 minutes if you are traveling during rush hour.

Finally, there is an Airport Express van for about $20 one-way.  It is a shared van ride that stops at all of the hotels downtown.  You can get information about this at the lower level at O'Hare (the company has a desk there in all terminals).  It is comfortable, but will take you a little longer than a taxi, as you may travel to several other hotels before you arrive at your destination.

If you are travelling to the suburbs, please note that you will pay meter and a half rates if you catch a city cab at the airport.  You should call a local company (the most popular is American Taxi) - they have rates by suburb, and are less expensive than city cabs if you are traveling to/ from the suburbs.

If you still want some help in planning which "EL" train to take, or what bus goes to Water Tower, why not have a local SHOW YOU?

The Chicago Greeter program offers visitors (groups of up to 6) a chance to hook up with a local for a FREE tour of 25 neighborhoods, architectural attractions, hidden gems, or whatever special requests the visitor might have.  The program even includes a FREE VISITORS PASS for use on the CTA's "EL" or Bus system!  The program also offers an INSTAGREETER© option; this option allows visitors who didn't have time to make a reservation to meet up with a Chicago Greeter representative at the Chicago Cultural Center and spend an hour with them walking around the loop!  It is a fantastic way for visitors and locals alike to discover the hidden gems of Chicago!

If returning home on a domestic flight via ORD, be sure to enjoy some of the sights within the secure side of the airport. In Terminal 1, Concourse B you will find a two-story Brachiosaurus skeleton and the tunnel between Concourse B and C is the home of "The Sky's the Limit", a kinetic neon tube and audio sculpture. Terminal 1, Course C is also the best location to see United Airlines’ Boeing 747 aircraft up close. Terminal 2 houses the Butch O'Hare Grumman F4F-3 airplane memorial exhibit about the heroic World War II naval aviator for whom the airport is named. Within Terminal 3 is the famous "Hall of Flags" which has been featured in many motion pictures. The best views of aircraft from around the world at the International Terminal 5 can be found at the end of Terminal 3, Concourse L.