MLA ’19 Travel Information
Travel to Chicago
We are looking forward to welcoming you to one of the world’s great cities. Chicago, with a spectacular lakefront skyline, is the backdrop to a lively mix of fine food, fun times, vibrant arts, rich history, and a warm Midwest welcome.
Chicago is a major hub, so Illinois is served by many interstate highways and two main airports, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. With approximately 1,450 daily direct flights from more than 245 destinations, Chicago is one of the most cost-competitive and convenient cities for domestic and international travel.
Download the FlySmart app to view shops, restaurants and services available at O'Hare and Midway, as well as to access real-time flight data.
For additional information about local transportation, visit the City's guide to getting around Chicago.
Air Travel
MLA has arranged for discounted travel.
American Airlines
Use the instructions below for a discount on American Airlines for travel May 1 – May 11, 2019.
- Book by calling American Airlines Meeting Services at 800.433.1790 and reference authorization number A7859BR. A service charge, which is subject to change, may apply for tickets purchased through American Airlines Reservations.
United Airlines
Use the instructions below for a discount on United Airlines for travel April 30, 2019 – May 11, 2019.
- Visit united.com/meetingtravel and enter code “ZFU4137936” in the Offer Code Box.
- You may also call United Meeting Reservation Desk at 800-426-1122 Mon-Fri 8am – 10pm ET and Sat/Sun 8am – 6pm ET.
Ground Transportation
Rail, Shuttle, and Taxi Service
Ground Transportation at O'Hare Airport
There are a number of ways to get to and from O'Hare International Airport. Located just 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, O'Hare International Airport is accessible via local mass transit lines, regional trains and buses, downtown and suburban shuttles and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance for each terminal.
CTA/METRA/PACE Information
CTA Blue Line
The CTA offers both train and bus service throughout the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The trains in Chicago are known as the "L," and the Blue Line trains are the easiest and most affordable way to get to and from O'Hare via public transit.
The Blue Line offers 24 hour service with more frequent service during weekday morning and evening rush hours. You can also connect to most other CTA lines through the Blue Line. With regularly scheduled arriving and departing trains, you will experience minimal wait times.
To see the most up-to-date schedule and timetable, visit the CTA website here.
Location
Lower level of the parking garage.
Directions
You can walk through the pedestrian tunnel at each domestic terminal to reach the station. Just follow the "Trains to City" on the overhead way finding signs.
Payment
You can purchase fare with cash or credit. There are vending machines located outside the station.
For additional information on the CTA, or to view the CTA's trip planning tools and information, visit their website here.
For specific fare information, click here.
Taxi Cabs
Taxis are plentiful and easy to hail downtown, at the airports and throughout many Chicago neighborhoods. There are Taxi Stands at the lower level curb front (outside of Baggage Claim) at each terminal. You can also electronically hail (E-Hail) a taxicab through a mobile app. CHICABS offers safe and secure options for a Chicago taxicab ride. CHICABS approved apps ARRO and CURB also let passengers electronically pay (E-Pay) for the taxicab fare through the app. For your protection, do not accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or on the departure level (second level) of the terminal roadways. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.
Credit cards are accepted in all taxi cabs by city mandate. It is standard to tip the driver about 15-20% of the fare, plus $1-2 per bag if the driver helps you with luggage. Please note that all fares and taxes are subject to change; visit the City of Chicago website for additional taxicab passenger information.
Sample taxi fare between downtown and O'Hare Airport is $40-50 (tip not included).
Pre-Arranged Limousines/Suburban Taxicabs
Limousines are available for Chicago and the suburbs. Contact your company of choice near the ride boards to make reservations, or reference the listing of pre-arranged limousine services. You may also reference the list of pre-arranged limousine services posted near the airport information booths across from Door C, located on the lower level of each terminal.
Pre-Arranged Rides
If you have pre-arranged a pick up with a limousine company, you should call the service once you have claimed your luggage. They will provide you with a license plate number, a description of the car, and/or a door number where you can meet the driver. Liveries can only meet passengers at designated areas on the the lower level center lane (lane 2). Depending on airport traffic, it can take between 5 and 20 minutes for the vehicle to get to the designated pickup location.
Meeting Drivers in Baggage Claim
Some limousine services can arrange to have their drivers meet arriving passengers in the Baggage Claim area or in other pre-designated pick up locations within the Baggage Claim area. The driver can then assist with luggage and take the passenger directly to the vehicle. O'Hare provides designated livery parking directly across from each of the terminals. It is typically a 5 to 7 minute walk to the vehicle.
Rideshare
A Rideshare company provides prearranged transportation services for compensation through an Internet-enabled application or digital platform to connect passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire.
Loading zones for Rideshare services are at the following locations:
- Upper Level between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
- Upper Level between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
- Lower Level Terminal 5 exit Door 5C
Uber Black and Uber Taxi will pick up on the Lower Level.
Airport Shuttles
There are a number of shuttles and regional buses that service O'Hare International Airport, making it easy for passengers all over the region to travel to and from the airport.
Shuttles
Airport shuttles offer a convenient alternative for traveling to and from O'Hare International Airport. Whether you are going to O'Hare from the city or suburbs, or trying to reach a hotel from the airport, shuttle services can get you there. The shuttle services are also a great mode of transportation if you need to travel between O'Hare and Midway International Airport.
Coach USA, Airport Supersaver
Coach USA Airport Supersaver offers hourly service between O'Hare and Midway from early morning to late evening. Allow at least one hour for travel time between O'Hare and Midway.
Pickup: Bus/Shuttle Center on Level 1 of the Main Parking Garage.
1-800-248-8747
Website
Go Airport Express - Shuttles & SUVS to City/Suburbs
Go Airport Express offers daily shared ride and non-stop direct service to/from O'Hare. They provide door-to-door downtown coverage, including most Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs. They begin operations during the early morning hours and depart approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from each terminal.
Pickup: Shuttles pick up outside the Baggage Claim area in the innermost lane of the lower level roadways of the domestic and international terminals. They are located at Terminal 1 (Door 1E), Terminal 2 (Door 2E), Terminal 3 (Door 3E) and Terminal 5 (Door 5E). Advanced notice is recommended, however they do welcome walk-ups.
1-888-284-3826, https://www.airportexpress.com/client/flychicago
Ground Transportation at Midway Airport
CTA Orange Line 'L'
Orange Line train service operates from Midway (on the southwest side of Chicago) to downtown via elevated tracks. (Once reaching downtown, trains travel clockwise around the Loop and then make all stops back to Midway.) The normal travel time to downtown from Midway is 20-25 minutes.
See the Orange Line Route Guide or Orange Line Route Maps for connection information.
Location
The fully-accessible station is located just east of the airport terminal building at the Midway Transportation Center and is connected to the airport via an enclosed walkway. Follow the signs in the airport that read "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City."
An orange line painted on the ground will guide you to the station.
Transfers
You can transfer to buses but you will need a Transit Card or an unlimited ride pass. Using a stored-value Transit Card, you can make up to two transfers within two hours for just 25 cents.
Payment
You can purchase fare with cash or credit. There are vending machines located outside the station.
For a complete Midway CTA station timetable, please click here.
Specific fare information is available here.
Taxis
Taxi stands are located on the lower level curbfront of the terminals, and taxis are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To ensure you have a licensed taxi driver, please be sure to use the taxi stands. For your protection, do not accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or in the departure area of the terminal roadways. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.
- Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from Midway to downtown Chicago is $35-40.
- For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website.
- For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: Open Taxis 855-928-1010
Limousines
Contact your company of choice to make reservations. You may also reference the list of pre-arranged limousine services provided at the Ground Transportation Information Booth located on the Baggage Claim level near carousel #4.
Pre-Arranged Rides
If you have pre-arranged a pick up with a limousine company, you should call the service once you have claimed your luggage. They will provide you with a license plate number, a description of the car, and/or a door number where you can meet the driver. Depending on airport traffic it can take between 3 to 10 minutes for your vehicle to get to your designated pickup location.
Meeting Drivers in Baggage Claim
Some limousine services can arrange to have their drivers meet arriving passengers in the Baggage Claim area or in other pre-designated pickup locations within the Baggage Claim area. The driver can then assist with luggage and take the passenger directly to the vehicle. Midway provides convenient livery parking, and it typically requires a 5 to 7 minute walk to the vehicle.
Rideshare
Rideshare companies provides prearranged transportation services for compensation through an Internet-enabled application or digital platform to connect passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire.
The loading zone for rideshare services is on the Lower Level Outside of Baggage Claim, Door 4.
Airport Shuttles
Go Airport Express
Go Airport Express offers door-to-door service to and from Midway airport and most city and suburban neighborhoods from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. Departures are about every 15 minutes. Please call Go Airport Express directly at the numbers below for specific departure information.
Pickup: Shuttles pick up outside the Baggage Claim area in the innermost lane of the lower level roadways of the domestic and international terminals. They are located at Door 3 in the lower level baggage claim. Advanced notice is recommended, however they do welcome walk-ups.
1-888-284-3826, https://www.airportexpress.com/client/flychicago
Other Options for Getting to Chicago
Amtrak (https://www.amtrak.com/stations/chi) offers multiple rail routes into Chicago's newly-restored historic Union Station.
Visit https://www.choosechicago.com/plan-your-trip/transportation/getting-to-chicago/ for additional options on Getting to Chicago.
International Visitors
Customs
When you arrive, you may be asked about the purpose of your visit. An appropriate response is "to attend a medical library annual meeting.” Keep your meeting registration handy, just in case you are asked for additional verification.
Letters of Invitation
Please contact Mary Langman at langman@mail.mlahq.org to request a letter of invitation to MLA'19 | Elevate, May 3-8, 2019, Chicago, Illinois, for your visa application.
Please indicate whether you are just attending the meeting or are making a presentation (see below).
In your request, include:
first name (given name)
last name (surname)
organization/affiliation
street address
city, zip or postal code, and country
email address
Please indicate which type of letter you are seeking:
- attending (You must be registered for the meeting.)
- making a presentation (You should have received an acceptance email from MLA. You still must register to attend the meeting.)
Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and meeting expenses. MLA does not pay for these costs.
We hope to welcome you to MLA'19 | Elevate, May 3-8, 2019, Chicago, Illinois. Please email naegele@mail.mlahq.org with questions.
Weather
During the month of May you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures though it can be wildly unpredictable. The only dependable fact when it comes to the weather in Spring in Chicago is its changeable nature. Visitors in the springtime will enjoy average weather with daytime temperatures that can reach into the mid-70s Fahrenheit.
