Flights to Chicago

Airports in Chicago

The metropolitan code of CHI comprises the two international airports in the city of Cicago, these are: O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. The airport of O'Hare is number 2 busiest airport globally and is used very frequently for flights leaving the Uk (London airports). There are further small airports in the Chicago area, however these are not used for international air traffic. 

Travelling to and from Chicago's international airports

Travel to and from these two main Chicago airports from central Chicago is possible using the trains of the subway network. There are also regional commumter trains that serve both airports from many areas in and around Chicago. Shuttle buses connect the airports terminals.Alternative transport is available by taxi cab or rental car. O'Hare is located northwest of the city and is slightly closer to the city centre, Midway to the southwest. Both airports, however, are easily reahced from the city centre.

Good times for a holiday in Chicago

Best times to travel to Chicago are for St. Patrick's day on 17th March when there are parades and the river is dyed green. June till September see the Ravinia Festival, a three month open air music festival with music ranging from pop to classical. The Chicago Blues Festival takes place on 3 days in June in Grant Park, and September (Labor-Day-weekend and the precedalso ng week) see the Chicago Jazz Festival im Grant Park. The Chicago Marathon, with around 1 million visitors takes place in September as well as the Chicago International Film Festival.

Visas and other travel preparations

Prepare for travel by applying for the visa waiver programme or ESTA which are online services and valid for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

Airport Chicago IL all Airports (ORD, MDW, RFD) CHI

CHI is the Metropolitan Area Code for all airports in the city of Chicago. The airports are: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and Chicago-Rockford International (RFD), which is located about 110 km or 65 miles west of Chicago, near the town of Rockford.

• URL: Official website
• Nearby cities: Chicago (4 km), Naperville (44 km), Joliet (55 km), Aurora (59 km)

Location

Chicago - O'Hare International Airport was opened in 1955. It is the largest and most important of the three airports in the area and of the state of Illinois as a whole. The airport is located about 18 miles north west of the Chicago Loop and is easy to reach by car and signposted on the Interstates I-90, I-294 (via exits 1 A-D) or using US highways 12 and 45. Besides using a car, hire car, or buses to and from Crestwood or Michigan City for example, transfer to and from the airport is also possible using public transport. The Blue line of the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is a fast train service that operates between the airport and the Chicago Loop.

Chicago - Midway International Airport was initially opened as Chicago Air Park in 1923 and is the second international airport in Chicago and an important hub of the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines. It is approximately fifteen kilometres southwest of downtown Chicago and clearly signposted on the interstate I-55 or US Highway 50, so easy to reach by car. From the airport, the "Orange Line" operates several buses on a regular basis: 379, 382, 383, 384, 385. Alternatively, please use the CTA's bus number 390.

The distance between O'Hare and Midway is approximately 32 km by road. The fastest way to get to the airport by car is by using the Interstate I-90 and then the US Highway 50. Passengers who use public transport should use the "Blue Line" or "Orange Line" to and from downtown Chicago.

Chicago Rockford International Airport is actually in Rockford not Chicago, but also managed by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority - as are the other two Chicago airports.
Rockford airport is about 9 km or approx. 5 miles south of Downtown Rockford, near the US Highway 20. The Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) bus number 7 operates regularly from the airport. The distance between the airport and O'Hare is about 140 km (85 miles).

Shuttle services between all three airports are operated by the Van Galder Bus Company. The service runs hourly every day to O'Hare Airport from about 3:00 - 19:00 h, the journey taking about 90 minutes. The service between Rockford-Downtown and Midway is less regular from about 4:00 to 18:00, travel times depend on the time of day, taking from between 120 to 150 minutes during the rush hour. For current timetables please ask at the airport or consult the website of the bus company.