Travel & Transportation

The following airports service the Chicago, Illinois area.

Airport Distance to City

   
Airlines discount

Airfare discounts have been arranged with United Airlines and Delta Airlines for fares to Chicago on qualifying flights (discounts vary between 1% and 5% again depending on the flight).

   
United Airlines

• Service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) only
• Online Booking only: www.united.com/meetingtravel
• Enter the Offer Code: ZN9A455151
• Enter the flight information

   
Delta Airlines

• Service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
• Online: www.delta.com (no ticketing fee)
• Click on “Advanced Search” and enter the Meeting Event Code in the appropriate box.
• Meeting Event Code: NM2J5
• Delta Meeting Reservations Phone: 800.328.1111

Booking service fees apply when booking by phone.

Airport Shuttle

GO Airport Express provides shuttle bus service between O’Hare and Midway airports and the downtown hotels and McCormick Place.

Car Rentals

Avis Rental Car Company offers different rental offers throughout the year. To find out more about the offers, visit the Avis website.

Hertz Rental Car Company has offered IFT a discounted rate of 20% off of rental retail rates during IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo. Under the “Add a Discount Code” option, use code “CDP 2188961” when making your reservations. Visit the Hertz website to reserve with Hertz.

CTA/Public Transit

Blue Line - Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is served by the CTA Blue train route which stops at Terminal 2. Blue Line trains serve O’Hare 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Trains operate every few minutes during the day and every 15-30 minutes overnight. The average travel time on the Blue Line to/from O’Hare to downtown is 45 minutes.

Blue Line Route Guide

Orange Line - Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is served by the CTA Orange Line train route which stops just steps from the airport terminal. Follow signs from the airport to the train station. Orange Line trains serve Midway from early morning to late evening hours, every day. Trains operate every 7 to 15 minutes. The average travel time on the Orange Line to/from Midway to downtown is 25 minutes.

Orange Line Route Guide

Taxi

Taxis are available at the lower level curb front of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). There are no flat rates as all taxis run on meters. The fare is approximately $50 from O'Hare and $40 from Midway to the downtown area.

Private Car Service

IFT has partnered with Windy City Limo to make booking an airport transfer simple. Click here to book your transfer today through IFT’s web reservation portal.

Additional booking options are available as follows:

• Book by phone: Call either (847)-916-9300 or (866)-949-4639, press option 1 for reservations. Reference Profile ID#61750 for preferred rates.
• Book by email:  Email [email protected] (Monitored 24/7). Reference Profile ID#61750 for preferred rates.

Ride Share Programs

Uber and Lyft both have a presence in Chicago. Be sure to follow instructions in the app for pickup location as the location in the airports is different from taxi and pre-arranged car locations.

Shuttle Bus Service

Shuttle bus service will be provided from stops near official IFT Hotels.

Shuttle Service to McCormick Place

Taxi

Taxi service is readily available throughout the city and can cost between $5 and $30 per ride. Taxis pick up and drop off at McCormick Place South at Gate 4.

Ride Share Programs 

Uber and Lyft both have a presence in Chicago.

Divvy Bike

Looking for a way to get to McCormick Place while seeing the sights and avoiding traffic? Divvy bike is a great option. Visit their website for locations of Divvy Bike stations.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Public Transit

The CTA’s convenient and easy-to-use bus and train lines – including the famous “L” – carry you around town and to major attractions. The new CTA Green Line “Cermak-McCormick Place” station is located just 2.5 blocks from McCormick Place. The CTA website at http://www.transitchicago.com/ offers a valuable overview of transit services, a guide to the system, instructions for first-time riders, and much more.

Metra Electric Train

The Metra Electric District (ME) route runs from three downtown stations directly to McCormick Place in just 7 minutes. Stations are located within walking distance to many hotels and are located at:

Lot A is the primary parking location for events in the South Building. Covered walkways from Lot A lead directly into McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Current pricing is $25 for up to 16 hours and $38 from 16-24 hours. There are no in-and-out privileges. Pricing is subject to change.

For more information and to view printable maps and directions click below

McCormick Place Parking

Shuttle Service to McCormick Place

Complimentary shuttle service is provided between McCormick Place South Building and the official IFT FIRST hotels listed below. Please refer to the sign in your hotel lobby for changes and additional information.

Shuttle Service to McCormick Place

Shuttle Schedule

McCormick Place, South Building is the transfer point for all routes.

* Indicates last time shuttle departs McCormick Place returning to hotels.
Last shuttle departs hotels coming to the McCormick Place approximately 60 minutes prior to this time.

Please note, shuttle frequency of service could be impacted by traffic and weather conditions.

Hotels and Boarding Locations

Hotels within walking distance to McCormick Place

Hampton Inn McCormick Place
Hilton Garden Inn McCormick Place
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Marriott Marquis Chicago

If you have questions, comments or need to make an advance reservation for a wheelchair-accessible shuttle, please see the supervisor at McCormick Place or call/text KUSHNER & ASSOCIATES at (213) 294-5378 during shuttle hours.