Get There
What is the best way to get to Chicago?
Flying: Chicago is home to two international airports—Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)—with daily inbound and outbound flights to more than 240 destinations. Downtown Chicago is accessible from both airports via the CTA’s L trains, as well as by taxi and ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber. Car rental companies and airport shuttles are also available.
Train: Chicago’s Union Station serves both Amtrak and Metra, the city’s commuter rail service that connects outlying suburbs to downtown.
Car: Chicago’s central location, which is accessible by many of the nation’s major interstates including I-90, I-94, I-55, I-290, and I-294, makes it easily reachable via car.
What is the best time to visit Chicago?
Summer is Chicago’s peak tourist season, with bars and restaurants spreading out onto rooftops, terraces, and sidewalks. At this time, the city is also jam packed with food festivals, concerts, and more. Some can't-miss citywide events include Taste of Chicago (the largest outdoor food fest in the world) in July; Blues Fest and Gospel Fest in June, Lollapalooza in August; and Jazz Fest in September. But weather wise, the best times to visit Chicago are during the spring and fall seasons when the temperatures are warm and pleasant. Expect frigid temps during the winter, which is the least crowded time, making it a good season to spend time indoors exploring the museums and catching a theatrical performance.
Get Around
Walking: Chicago’s downtown pedestrian way system (the Pedway) is a network of tunnels, ground-level concourses, and bridges connecting buildings throughout the business district (known as the Loop), allowing travelers to explore the city on foot while avoiding the cold and snow.
Transit: The CTA operates Chicago’s eight L train lines and 129 bus routes. Travelers can pay cash for single bus rides or they can purchase a reloadable Ventra card or an unlimited ride pass to use on both trains and buses.
Taxi: In addition to physically hailing cabs on the street, visitors can also e-hail and pay with CHICABS-approved apps ARRO and CURB. Credit cards are accepted in all taxis. Or use an on-demand ride-sharing app such as Uber and Lyft.