Chicago Airports Charter Bus Guide

Chicago Airports Charter Bus Guide

Feeling daunted at the thought of traveling in or out of Chicago airport with a group? That’s where Greater Chicago Charter Bus comes in. We have a fleet of charter bus rentals in Chicago for groups of all kinds along with years of experience helping groups find reliable transportation. From sports team transportation for away games to corporate shuttles for out-of-town conferences, we are pros at helping large groups navigate Chicago airports with ease. 

Learn more about how we can help you and get a free, no-obligation price quote in just minutes when you call (872) 354-4413. And in the meantime, here’s our charter bus guide to Chicago airports. 

Tips for Chicago Airport Travel with Groups

Below are some of our pro tips to keep in mind if you are booking an airport shuttle in Chicago with a larger group. 

• Be sure to check the Fly Chicago website for the most up-to-date information on parking, pick up, drop off, and anything else you may have questions about. 
• Ask our experienced team or your assigned bus driver for clarity regarding certain questions about arrival or procedures. Many drivers have airport experience already and can shed light on questions you may have. 
• Be sure to choose a charter bus with plenty of storage—options in our network like the 18-passenger minibus and 25-passenger minibus are great for midsized groups and have overhead storage equal to one carry-on bag per passenger. 
• Keep your driver informed about your journey and estimated arrival times. If your flight is delayed, let your bus driver know. We offer flexible scheduling and can make it work. 

Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Charter Bus Guide to Chicago O’Hare International Airport

While both Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport see significant traffic, O’Hare is substantially busier, handling a high number of passengers daily and frequently ranking on the list of the world’s top 10 busiest airports. 

Don’t let this scare you, though! There are systems in place to make large group transportation at O’Hare easier than you would think. Let’s break down the basics and answer some of the most common questions about charter bus travel at O’Hare to help you prepare for your trip.

Charter Bus Curbside Pick Up and Drop Off at O’Hare

For curbside pickup at O’Hare, keep in mind that curbside waiting is prohibited and vehicles are not allowed to be left unattended. Instead, larger groups should wait inside the terminal until your group is all together. 

From there, call your provider and coordinate their exact arrival time (if it isn’t already coordinated). We recommend having your flight arrival time ready when you call us to book your charter bus so that we can plan an exact pickup time. However, we can still book you a charter bus in Chicago for pickup at the airport without an exact flight arrival time. 

The Cell Phone Lot for Pickup 

Your charter bus driver will likely be waiting in the cellphone lot for your call, and then you can be picked up on the lower level on the outermost curb. You can also meet your driver at the cell phone lot yourself if you’d prefer, which is less than a mile away. Hotel shuttle buses and off-airport parking shuttle pickup are at the Terminal 2 arrivals. 

Charter Bus Parking, Drop-off, and Pickup at the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF)

Another important place to know about when using charter bus transportation at O’Hare is the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). About a mile and a half away from the airport, it has more than 2,500 parking spaces and is home to all airport rental car operations and regional bus services. If your charter bus driver does not park at the cell phone lot before picking you up, they will likely park there.

It’s also a great drop off and pick up point—the drop off point is located off Mannheim Road and Zemke Boulevard, on the northeast corner. This is also a popular pick up point, but keep in mind that there is a 15 minute limit in the lot. 

You can reach the MMF at the southeast corner of Zemke and Manheim Road from all surrounding expressways, and its address is 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., Chicago, IL 60666.

Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Charter Bus Guide to Midway International Airport 

Midway International Airport is a much less busy airport, with fewer daily flights and a bigger focus on domestic instead of international travel. However, even smaller airports can seem intimidating to those traveling with a group. Many of the same rules and regulations apply, with the biggest exception being the lack of the MMF at O’Hare. 

Charter Bus Pick Up and Drop Off at Midway

Your pick up and drop off location will be at the Lower Level through the parking garage and you can use door 5 and 6. 

Like other Chicago airports, curbside waiting is prohibited. Instead, your driver can utilize the cell phone lot while waiting for you. Drivers in our network aim to arrive at each stop on your itinerary at least 15 minutes early, so they will be ready for you if your flight lands earlier. 

For more information on charter bus pick up and drop off at the Midway airport, you can visit their shuttles page and their pick up and drop off page. 

Charter Bus Parking at Midway

Similar to parking at O’Hare, charter buses at Midway can be parked at the cell phone lot at 61st Street and Cicero Avenue, just south of the main entrance to the airport. Keep in touch with your bus driver to let them know when your team is gathered and ready to be picked up, and they will be happy to pick you up from there. 

Common Questions About Chicago Airports

How far is O’Hare from Midway? 

The distance between Chicago O'Hare and Chicago Midway is about 29 miles, or around a 45 minute drive depending on traffic.

What if I need a transfer between airports?

We are happy to shuttle you between airports if needed - we offer custom charter bus itineraries that are tailored to your trip. 

What are the idling laws in Chicago?

You cannot idle for more than 15 minutes. Certain exceptions apply, such as if your charter bus is providing heat or cooling for passengers aboard, or if it’s taking time to warm up or cool down to the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Book Your Chicago Airport Bus Rental Today

When you’re ready to stop frantically organizing multiple cars or hailing rideshares with surge fees and long waits, we’re here to step up to the plate. In order to get a free, no-strings-attached price quote from us, just gather your passenger count along with the date(s) and time(s) you will need group transportation for at O’Hare or Midway. From there, call our 24/7 team at (872) 354-4413 and we can get you set up in no time!