TRANSPORTATION
Airport Information
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has more daily flights than any other airport in the world. It is a 30-minute drive from The Fairmont Chicago.
Driving Directions
To Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- Follow signs to Chicago
- Exit at Ohio Street (exit 50B), go three blocks to LaSalle Street
- Turn right onto LaSalle Street, go five blocks to Wacker Drive
- Turn left onto Wacker Drive, go ¾ of a mile to Columbus Drive (second light after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive, go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
To B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- Follow signs to Chicago
- Exit at Ohio Street (exit 50B), go one mile to Fairbanks Court (second light after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn right on Fairbanks Court (which becomes Columbus Drive)
- Drive over bridge (Chicago River), entering tunnel
- Turn right at third stoplight (Lake Street) in tunnel. The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
Airport Shuttle
Continental Airport Express runs a shuttle service to and from the airport. It costs USD 25.00 per person each way.
- Drivers accept cash only. If at airport and booking a return trip, major credit cards will be accepted
- The shuttle leaves O'Hare International Airport every 10 to 15 minutes and the last shuttle leaves at 11:30 pm
- Pick-up / ticket purchase is outside baggage claim doors 1E, 2D, and 3E for international flight passengers
- Reservations are not required from the airport. See the hotel Concierge to arrange pick-up for return trip to airport
Tel: 1 (888) 284-3826 (USA and Canada only)
Taxis
A taxi from O'Hare International Airport to The Fairmont Chicago costs approximately USD 40.00 (plus gratuity). The taxi stand is located outside the baggage claim area.
Limousines
A private sedan costs either USD 75.00 or USD 110.00. A private six-passenger limousine costs USD 86.00 or USD 121.00. Prices vary for larger vehicles. Please inquire with the hotel Concierge for service details and booking.
Light Rail
Take the Blue Line on the Chicago Transit Authority's light commuter train from the airport to the hotel. It is priced at USD 2.00 per person one way and should take approximately 50 minutes, plus a seven-block walk or taxi ride.
From Train Stop to the Hotel:
- Get off at Washington Street, which will put you seven blocks from The Fairmont's main entrance
- Upon getting off at Washington Street (at which point you'll be underground or in the subway), use the Randolph Street exit to surface to street level
- Stay on Randolph Street, walking in the direction of the Oriental Theatre, and head five blocks to Columbus Drive (two streets after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn left onto Columbus Drive, go one block and The Fairmont will be on your left
Tel: 1 (888) 968-7282 (USA and Canada only)
Chicago Midway Airport
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) serves many major airlines. It is a 30-minute drive from The Fairmont Chicago.
Driving Directions
To Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- Follow signs to Cicero Avenue (northbound)
- Drive two miles to I-55 North
- From I-55 North follow signs to Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North)
- From Lake Shore Drive North go one mile past Museum Campus, staying right, and exit at Randolph / Wacker Drive
- Upon crossing Randolph, stay left following signs to Wacker Drive
- Once on Wacker Drive, immediately merge right, driving up ramp to upper level
- Turn left onto Columbus Drive (first light), go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
To B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- Follow signs to Cicero Avenue (northbound)
- Drive two miles to I-55 North
- From I-55 North follow signs to Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North)
- From Lake Shore Drive North go one mile past Museum Campus, staying right, and exit at Randolph / Wacker Drive
- Turn left onto Randolph, entering tunnel, go to first stop light in tunnel (Columbus Drive). The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive and immediately merge to left turn lane, go to first stop light (Lake Street)
- Turn left onto Lake Street
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
Airport Shuttle
Continental Airport Express runs a shuttle service to and from the airport. It costs USD 19.00 per person each way.
- Drivers accept cash only. If at airport and booking a return trip, major credit cards will be accepted
- The shuttle leaves Chicago Midway Airport every 15 minutes
- Pick-up / ticket purchase is outside baggage claim door 3
- Reservations are not required from the airport. See the hotel Concierge to arrange pick-up for return trip to airport
Tel: 1 (888) 284-3826 (USA and Canada only)
Taxis
A taxi from Chicago Midway Airport costs approximately USD 30.00 plus gratuity. The taxi stand is located outside the baggage claim area.
Limousines
A private sedan costs either USD 75.00 or USD 110.00. A private six-passenger limousine costs USD 86.00 or USD 121.00. Prices vary for larger vehicles. Please inquire with the hotel Concierge for service details and booking.
Light Rail
Take the Orange Line on the Chicago Transit Authority's light commuter train from the airport to the hotel. It is priced at USD 2.00 per person one way and should take approximately 30 minutes, plus a four-block walk or taxi ride.
From Train Stop to Hotel:
- Get off elevated train at Randolph Street and walk down to street level
- Stay on Randolph Street and walk three blocks away from Marshall Field's
- Turn left on Columbus Drive, go one block and The Fairmont Chicago will be on your left
Tel: 1 (888) 968-7282 (USA and Canada only)
Car Rental
All major rental agencies have offices located at both Midway and O'Hare airports, and in downtown Chicago.
- Alamo: 1 (800) 327-8633
- Avis: 1 (800) 331-1212
- Budget: 1 (800) 527-0700
- Enterprise: +1 (312) 565-6518
- Hertz: 1 (800) 654-3131
- National: 1 (800) 227-7368
The above numbers are toll-free within the USA and Canada only.
Train Information
Amtrak operates out of Chicago's Union Station, located two miles west of The Fairmont Chicago (five minutes by taxi). Facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Toll-free: 1 (800) 872-7245 (USA and Canada only)
Local Transportation
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
This bus and light rail system offers fast, direct train service from both airports to downtown, convenient bus and train lines to major attractions, simple fare cards, and easy-to-use maps and brochures. The nearest stop is four blocks from the hotel.
Trolleys
Chicago's free trolleys are a great way to get around. Trolleys are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Stops are within one to three blocks of The Fairmont Chicago.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available outside of the hotel and around Chicago.
Aaron Limousine Service
Tel: +1 (800) 369-2766
Driving Directions and Distances
If you are driving to the hotel, the following directions may be of use.
From I-55 North / Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North) to Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- From I-55 North follow signs to Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North)
- From Lake Shore Drive North go one mile past Museum Campus, staying right, and exit at Randolph / Wacker Drive
- Upon crossing Randolph, stay left following signs to Wacker Drive
- Once on Wacker Drive, immediately merge right, driving up ramp to upper level
- Turn left onto Columbus Drive (first light), go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
From I-55 North / Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North) to B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- From I-55 North follow signs to Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41 North)
- From Lake Shore Drive North go one mile past Museum Campus, staying right, and exit at Randolph / Wacker Drive
- Turn left onto Randolph, entering tunnel, go to first stop light in tunnel (Columbus Drive). The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive and immediately merge to left turn lane, go to first stop light (Lake Street)
- Turn left onto Lake Street
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
From Lake Shore Drive South (Route 41 South) to Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- Using the Grand / Illinois / Navy Pier / Wacker Drive exit, stay on exit ramp
- Upon crossing Illinois, stay right for the Wacker Drive exit
- Once on Wacker Drive, immediately merge right, driving up ramp to upper level
- Turn left onto Columbus Drive (first light), go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
From Lake Shore Drive South (Route 41 South) to B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- Upon crossing the Chicago River, exit at Randolph Street
- Turn right onto Randolph, entering tunnel, go to first stop light in tunnel (Columbus Drive). The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive and immediately merge to left turn lane, go to first stop light (Lake Street)
- Turn left onto Lake Street
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
From I-90 / 94 East and West to Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- Follow signs to Chicago
- Exit at Ohio Street (exit 50B), go three blocks to LaSalle Street
- Turn right onto LaSalle Street, go five blocks to Wacker Drive
- Turn left onto Wacker Drive, go ¾ of a mile to Columbus Drive (second light after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive, go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
From I-90 / 94 East and West to B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- Follow signs to Chicago
- Exit at Ohio Street (exit 50B), go one mile to Fairbanks Court (second light after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn right on Fairbanks Court (which becomes Columbus Drive)
- Drive over bridge (Chicago River), entering tunnel
- Turn right at third stoplight (Lake Street) in tunnel. The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
From I-88 / 290 East to Main Entrance on Columbus Drive (Upper Level):
- Take I-88 to I-290 East to Congress Pkwy and merge
- Remain on Congress Pkwy, go six blocks to State Street
- Turn left onto State Street, go one mile to Wacker Drive
- Make a wide right turn onto Wacker Drive
- Drive four blocks to Columbus Drive (second light after Michigan Avenue)
- Turn right onto Columbus Drive, go 1¼ blocks
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right (just after South Water Street)
From I-88 / 290 East to B-2 Motor Lobby Entrance on Lake Street (Lower Level):
- Follow I-88 to I-290 East to Congress Pkwy and merge
- Remain on Congress Pkwy, go ¾ of a mile to Columbus Drive dead end (Buckingham Fountain)
- Turn left onto Columbus Drive, go ¾ of a mile to tunnel
- Turn left at second stop light (Lake Street) in tunnel. The street signage is in the tunnel, hanging from rafters above the center median. If you exit tunnel, you have gone too far
- The Fairmont Chicago will be on your right
Key Cities and Distances
- Springfield, IL - 203 miles / 327 km - 3 hours 30 minutes
- Milwaukee, WI - 89 miles / 143 km - 1 hour 30 minutes
- Madison, WI - 148 miles / 240 km - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Indianapolis, IN - 183 miles / 295 km - 3 hours
- Grand Rapids, MI - 180 miles / 290 km - 3 hours
- Detroit, MI - 285 miles / 460 km - 4 hours 45 minutes
- Minneapolis, MN - 410 miles / 659 km - 6 hours 45 minutes
- Des Moines, IA - 333 miles / 536 km - 5 hours 30 minutes
- Toledo, OH - 247 miles / 397 km - 4 hours
- Cincinnati, OH - 298 miles / 480 km - 5 hours
- Columbus, OH - 357 miles / 574 km - 6 hours
- Cleveland, OH - 346 miles / 557 km - 5 hours 45 minutes
- New York City, NY - 792 miles / 1274 km - 13 hours
- Toronto, ON - 517 miles / 832 km - 9 hours
Parking Information
The Fairmont Chicago features indoor valet parking including in / out privileges. The hotel has two entrances where you can valet park: at the main entrance off North Columbus Drive and the valet parking entrance off Lower Lake Street.
Valet Parking Rates
(Taxes included).
- 0-two hours- USD 20.00
- Two-four hours - USD 24.00
- Four-six hours - USD 30.00
- Six hours to 24 hours - USD 45.00
Self Parking
Self parking is available in the area, but will not include in / out privileges. Rates are slightly less and vary according to parking area and duration.
Please note:
Prices are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change.
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