Are there 24/7 buses?

Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.

Is it safe to take taxis overnight?

Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.

ORDUnited StatesTPL: night-owl-plan

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago, United States

Drop-off

Chicago Loop (Downtown)

Pin before customs

Fastest

CTA Blue Line

metro · 3-10 (15-30 overnight)m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: CTA Blue Line
Headway: 3-10 (15-30 overnight)
Backup: Metra North Central Service (NCS) – O'Hare Transfer to Chicago Union Station · 60-120 (weekday only)m

Note

24-hour rapid transit rail service from O'Hare station to downtown Chicago via the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, serving key Loop stops like Clark/Lake, Washington, and Monroe in about 45–50 minutes. Trains run every few minutes in the day/evening and every 15–30 minutes overnight.

Late arrivals

Chicago: Night-Owl Operations

After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes. Targets queries likechicago airport busandord to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Lines that keep running

Brief

This is the overnight lifeline when the metro or flagship express shuts down.

Service: CTA Blue Line
Mode: metro
Freq: 3-10 (15-30 overnight)m
Note: 24-hour rapid transit rail service from O'Hare station to downtown Chicago via the Milwaukee–Dearborn subway, serving key Loop stops like Clark/Lake, Washington, and Monroe in about 45–50 minutes. Trains run every few minutes in the day/evening and every 15–30 minutes overnight.

Backup when rail sleeps

Brief

If even this pauses, default to the licensed taxi rank or approved ride-hailing pickup outside arrivals.

Service: Pace Route 250 Dempster
Mode: bus
Freq: 30-60m
Note: Suburban bus from O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility via Des Plaines to Evanston (Davis CTA/Metra), where riders can transfer to CTA trains into downtown Chicago. Useful for north-suburban access rather than direct downtown travel; operates daily with reduced frequency after the Pulse Dempster Line launch.

Ticketing tips

Brief

Load balance onto the local transit card before midnight because some kiosks shut or stop accepting bills after hours.

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FAQs

01Are there 24/7 buses?: Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.
02Is it safe to take taxis overnight?: Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.