Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Chicago is served by two main airports. O'Hare International (ORD), 27km (17mi) northwest of downtown, is the world's busiest air hub; Midway (MDW), 19km (12mi) southwest of downtown, is much smaller and is primarily served by discount carriers. Sixty-five million passengers a year - one quarter of the United State's population - pass through O'Hare, preserving Chicago's historic role as a US transportation hub.

The El, an elevated train, is the quickest and cheapest mode of transportation between O'Hare and Midway airports and the Loop downtown. Shuttle buses leave at regular intervals from both airports to major downtown hotels and there are lots of taxis waiting to whisk you into the city, though they're expensive. All the major car rental companies have outposts at the airport, as well as branches in the city.

Called 'The Dog' by veteran riders, Greyhound has dozens of buses a day departing in every direction. Conditions are not posh, but neither are the prices. Indian Trails is a regional line operating buses similar to Greyhound's.

Chicago is the hub for Amtrak's national and regional train service, providing it with more services than any other city. Amtrak's three trains from Chicago to the West Coast can be vacation experiences in themselves. Travel to Seattle and Portland passes through the northern Rockies and Montana. Others pass through dramatic canyons in both the Rockies in Colorado and the Sierra Nevada in California. Long-distance trains serve Texas, Washington DC, Boston and New York. Short-distance trains run more than once a day and go to Detroit, St Louis, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, Michigan. During much of the year it's crucial to have your Amtrak journey reserved well in advance.

If you want to travel by car or motorcycle, highways converge on Chicago from all points of the compass. None are especially scenic or otherwise recommended.

Getting around

Chicago is thoroughly served by public transport networks of buses and trains, and this option is encouraged due to traffic chaos and confusing and difficult parking. If you do choose private wheels, there are the usual taxis or rental cars (and motorbikes) on offer.