CHICAGO — A new privately funded rail proposal could dramatically change the way travelers get between downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport.
Chicago business and civic leaders unveiled plans Tuesday for the O’Hare Flyer, a proposed express rail service designed to connect downtown Chicago with O’Hare International Airport in approximately 15 minutes.
Under the proposal, trains would depart every 15 minutes and operate primarily along existing freight rail corridors, creating a dedicated airport connection without relying on Chicago’s existing CTA rail network.
The estimated cost of the project is approximately $2.25 billion, with organizers proposing to finance the system privately rather than through taxpayer subsidies.
Downtown to O’Hare in 15 Minutes
The proposed downtown terminal would be located near Van Buren Street and Canal Street, close to Chicago Union Station and the Old Post Office.
From there, trains would travel along existing railroad corridors toward O’Hare, eventually connecting directly with Terminal 2.
The system is expected to use battery-electric trains, with service planned approximately between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m. Trains would depart every 15 minutes, creating a frequent alternative for travelers heading to and from the airport.
If the project moves forward as envisioned, the approximately 15-minute trip would be significantly faster than many current transportation options between downtown and O’Hare, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.
Existing Rail Corridors Could Be Key
One of the most important elements of the proposal is its planned use of existing railroad rights-of-way.
The route would involve corridors associated with major freight rail operators including CSX, Canadian National and Union Pacific.
Project organizers have reached a letter of intent with CSX, while discussions with other railroad operators remain underway.
That distinction is important: although the O’Hare Flyer has now been publicly unveiled, the project has not yet received all of the agreements and regulatory approvals necessary for construction to begin.
Additional coordination would also be required with the City of Chicago and federal transportation and aviation authorities.
How Much Would a Ticket Cost?
A final fare has not yet been announced.
Project organizers have indicated that tickets would likely cost more than a ride on the CTA Blue Line but considerably less than a typical taxi or rideshare trip between downtown Chicago and O’Hare.
That could position the O’Hare Flyer between public transit and private transportation — offering a faster premium option without the price of a traditional car service.
Chicago Has Tried Airport Express Rail Before
The idea of creating a faster connection between downtown Chicago and O’Hare is not new.
Over the years, several concepts have been proposed to shorten the trip between the city center and one of the busiest airports in the United States.
One of the most prominent came in 2018, when Chicago selected Elon Musk’s Boring Company to develop a high-speed underground transportation system between downtown and O’Hare. That project ultimately never moved forward.
The O’Hare Flyer takes a considerably different approach by relying largely on existing railroad infrastructure rather than constructing an entirely new underground transportation network.
Could It Be Running Within Five Years?
Organizers behind the O’Hare Flyer say their goal is to begin passenger service within approximately five years.
Reaching that target will depend on several major factors, including final agreements with railroad companies, regulatory approvals, engineering work, financing and construction of new infrastructure near O’Hare.
For now, the O’Hare Flyer remains a proposal rather than an approved transportation project.
Still, the unveiling represents another serious attempt to solve a transportation challenge Chicago has discussed for decades: creating a fast, reliable connection between downtown and O’Hare.
If the project ultimately becomes reality, a 15-minute trip from downtown Chicago to Terminal 2 could significantly change how residents, business travelers and millions of visitors reach the airport.
Sources: O’Hare Flyer project announcement; Chicago Sun-Times; Daily Herald; additional reporting and publicly available project information.
