Getting to United Airlines in Chicago

The airport, the ground game, and whether you need a car for a business trip to United Airlines’s Chicago headquarters — from our verified where-to-stay data.

Which airport for United Airlines

Midway (MDW) ~25 min · O'Hare (ORD) ~40 min. Two airports, both on the L. O’Hare (ORD), northwest, is the international hub with the Blue Line to the Loop. Midway (MDW), southwest, has the Orange Line. For downtown, the train from either beats a cab in traffic.

The ground reality in Chicago

Chicago is a rare US city where the train from the airport is often the right call: the Blue Line runs 24/7 from O’Hare to the Loop (~45 min), the Orange Line from Midway (~30 min). For downtown or Near North, skip the cab. For the suburbs — Deerfield, Schaumburg, Lake Forest, the North Shore — the L does not reach; that is Metra if the office is near a station, otherwise a rideshare or rental.

Getting to United Airlines

For United Airlines specifically, downtown Chicago, in Willis Tower points you toward the L — the Blue or Orange Line drops you downtown for a few dollars.

Where you sleep decides your morning. The companion to this page is where to stay near United Airlines — pick the hotel in the right submarket and the airport-to-office problem mostly solves itself.