Chicago has always been a fast paced and culturally rich city attracting visitors from all over the world. Whether you are coming on business or leisure it is recommended to plan the trip ahead of time to avoid airport transportation issues when visiting the Windy City.Learning about Chicago transportation options will save you time and hassle during your visit.

Most newcomers will arrive in Chicago through O'Hare airport. Located on the northwestern side of the city, O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world with estimated 13.5 million passengers passing through every year. Heavy traffic at O'Hare can present a problem and your trip's success may be dependent on how quickly you can get in and out of the airport.

Thankfully visitors are offered more then several airport transportation options. Subway train transportation is available to travelers on the budget, although with the recent fare increases one can seriously question the affordability of the city's transportation. The cost of the one-way trip from O'Hare to Downtown should be about $1.75. Multi day passes are available to passengers planning longer visits with prices ranging between $5.00 for a single-day pass, to $75 for a 30-day pass. Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) blue subway line is the surest way to go Downtown with trains picking up passengers every few minutes.

Passengers that are not in the mood for a train ride can choose among other transportation options. Taxi cabs, airport transportation van and limousine companies are all eager to pickup travelers on short notice. As with everything, prior reservations are recommended especially during holiday seasons. Major airport transportation companies can be reached through O'Hare's network of internal phones available throughout the terminals.

Limousine companies offer a convenient option to see the city and travel in style. Limo drivers can become valuable guides explaining Chicago landmarks as well as offer a glimpse of city's rich night life. When chartering a limo from a major Chicago limousine company don't forget to inquire then about their city tour options.

Most of Chicago Limousine companies offer low flat rates that often don't exceed taxi fares. They also provide airport transportation vans and busses available for larger parties. A cost of the typical trip from O'Hare airport to Downtown should not exceed $45 dollars.

Visitors arriving at O'Hare airport need to be aware that passenger pickup can be a problem. To simplify and speed up the pickup of arriving passengers City of Chicago has devised Chicago Airport Transportation Procedures.