azuresky7

I'm visiting Chicago in April for an overnight visit, first week (from 16-17). We're coming from the east coast, so we'll arrive by plane to either O'Hare or Midway. According to Google Maps, neither seems far from campus, and I was wondering how much a cab would cost from either airport.

JHS

A lot. First of all, O'Hare is a loooong way from campus. I've never taken a cab from there to the University of Chicago, but I think it would be $60 minimum. From Midway, in theory, the cab ride should be $30 or so, but the one time I took a cab from Midway there was a ton of traffic and it wound up being $43 on the meter (and taking maybe 10 minutes less than a bus would have).

If at all possible, fly into Midway; it's much more convenient to the University. From Midway, take the 55 bus (55X express if it's running at that time of day) to wherever you are going at the University. It takes 20-25 minutes without traffic, maybe 40-45 with, and costs about $2. The bus stops are a little hard to find, but they are right by the Orange Line El terminal.

UChicagoPSAC

I've never had a cab from Midway cost that much- it's usually $17-20. But yes, O'Hare is definitely much further from campus than Midway, and a cab ride will run you at least $60 (this is with pre-ride haggling- metered price is about $75). I'd definitely advocate flying to Midway if you can.

mUser

I visited campus last week, and I flew into O'Hare. The meter cost was around $45. Just a word of advice, the yellow cabs are usually more legit than any of the others. I tried haggling with some of the cab drivers in the white taxis, and they attempted to convince me that fare to Uchicago costs upward of $90. Yeah, no way I was paying that.

neltharion

Only reason I'd take a cab from O'Hare would be if I had a group of friends with me willing to split the price. Otherwise, follow JHS's advice.

keelee2

I always took a cab to/from Midway and O'Hare.

Midway is $18-$25. Tell the driver to take 55th Street the entire way. He will argue that he does not want to (he'll want to take I-55 to rip you off), and then just say you will report him if he refuses.

O'Hare is $40-$65 depending on traffic. On a Sunday morning with no traffic, it's only $40.

The 55 bus from Midway is cheap and direct, but don't ride it at night.

Public transit from O'Hare to Hyde Park is a pain - two trains and a bus.

cottonwood513

From O'Hare to campus, a compromise:

At O'Hare, board the blue line (2.25) and get off at Washington or Dearborn. Go outside and grab a cab to campus. If you have time, sight see a little, before you get in the cab.

This way you are delivered right to your campus address but save a big chunk of cab fare.

pnb2002

^^This is exactly what I did, and worked perfectly. Even got to see a little bit of Chicago on the way.