CTA – Halsted [Orange]

Efficient and convenient, the orange line took me directly from the airport to the loop (and back to the airport again). While you have to walk from the terminals through several corridors to reach the train terminal, it was easy and inexpensive.
$ 2.75 for one way, or $ 10 for a 1-​day pass (Venta card).

I like the Orange Line. It’s pretty much the southwest side version of the Brown Line. Goes around the loop, uses the same train cars and in fact sometimes during rush hours, the Brown Line will turn into the Orange Line and quickly take you to Midway.
The Orange line itself is pretty safe and runs through a mix of residential and industrial areas of the city. There might not be a whole lot to do away from downtown past Halsted but it’s a very convenient and inexpensive way for commuters and visitors to head downtown. Also most stations along the line have park and ride… up to Halsted I believe which is pretty nice! The stations were built in the 90s and they aren’t the prettiest. They’re basically island platform versions of the «box» style stations found at Merchandise Mart or similar to Harlem Blue, Jefferson Park Blue… you get it. They serve their purpose… the trains stop, you get on or get off and bam! you’re where you need to go and you still have some pennies in your pocket! Bottom line is if you’re at Midway and want to avoid traffic and high cab fares, take the Orange Line because 2.25 cannot be beat. As a side note, trains stop running at around 1:30 AM so just be mindful of that and have a great visit!

Train is running slow today, the Cta is doing work on the tracks at several locations. I never know how my commute for work is going to be. Sometimes it’s nice and smooth with no delays at all, but at other times my ride takes so long I’m almost late for work even though I give myself extra time to make it there. I can’t stand that the same solicitors keep being allowed to harass people on the train. I do mean harass, there’s a group of young adults that I’ve seen on several lines, always with flyers in their hands asking for money. I’ve seen them get rude and make nasty remarks to people and this has been going on for a year and half or more. I wish the Cta would really «clean-​up» this!

Cheap alternative to Midway but, like the rest of the CTA, its filthy and you will be sharing the train with mentally deranged people, filthy bums, and other riff raff in this proudly ‘liberal’ city of progressivism. This is the future of America.

took the blue to orange to get to midway for a noon flight. although the journey was long it was pleasant and safe. I cannot attest to the rest of the orange line stops/​experiences but would take this route again as an option to get to Midway. From Wicker Park to Check-​In kiosk at the airport it took slightly over an hour in non rush hour traffic.

It’s public transportation which is awesome, but it is not anything too impressive as far as using it goes. It is easy to get around, but sometimes you have to deal with the bums.

El «El Train» Choochoo! That’s what’s up! Fast and efficient.

Great way to beat the traffic into Chicago.
So much easier and faster than a shuttle,
riding this makes me believe in mass transit.

Are you visiting Chicago and flying into Midway?
Take the Orange Line.
The Orange Line will show you what Chicago is REALLY about.
Save some of that taxi money you were going to spend.
(Yes, it is safe.)

Using the El was quite intuitive, no nonsense, and efficient to get from Midway to Wrigleyville for a friend’s bachelor party.
If only Atlanta could learn from Chicago in this regard…

Its a train what can you say! Not particularly clean but does get one from point A to B and then on to C or D…

My goodness watch out for the swarm of crowds in the evening time. So many people were taking the train toward Midway, he train was packed! It had no choice but run express to Midway. Efficient, fast, and gets you where you need to go though.

The Orange Line, running through the industrial neighborhoods of the Southwest Side, is not the prettiest introduction (or farewell) to the city. Smokestacks, junkyards, and other rail lines abound. But this train gets you where you need to go in a very reasonable amount of time. Downtown to Midway in 35 – 40 minutes outside of rush hour can happen.
The cars are generally clean, and the passengers tend to be civil. That’s a lot more than you could ask for with most of the other trains in the city. Most people are just trying to get through the day, and a lot of folks aren’t interested in drama before or after spending hours with strangers in a steel tube hurtling through the skies at 500 miles per hour.
Out of towners will comment on the convenience of having a train running between the airport and downtown. It’s not something I take for granted either – especially since it’s not the Blue Line. $ 2.25 to take you the length of the route is always a steal. Anyone who wants to hop in a cab may do so, but it’s not going to be that much faster, and you’re at the mercy of traffic on the Stevenson if you do so.
I ride the Brown Line regularly, and the train that I take into work often magically transforms into an Orange Line train as it enters the Loop. Every time this happens, I’m tempted to skip my stop (and my job) and head out to Midway to fly off into the wild blue yonder.

I remember when this line was being built. My friends and I would sneek inside and walk parts of the line before the tracks were laid down. It turned into one of the best lines in the CTA. Once they added the extension to Midway it has became a very convenient route for people headed out of town.
The parking lots aren’t the safest place for your vehicles, I have to say. My brother’s truck got broken into once and my car got stolen. So, outside of that, the line is great for those on the southwest side of town.

Back in 07/​08, I use to ride the Orange Line to just about everywhere I went. Seldom do at the current time, but it’s still as good as it was then. Clean cars, clean stations, commuters are much more civilized than those who ride the Red Line, trains are fast and hardly ever behind schedule, criminal activities are very few and far between, and the trains are quiet, they make such very little noise as they travel at top speed, whatever that speed may be. For all those out-​of-​towners coming in from Midway, this is your route.

For all my complaining about the Orange Line’s southern terminal and the annoyingness of walking from that final station to Midway, it’s really an efficient El line. It goes from the Loop to Midway. It doesn’t make any strange turns, and you don’t have to worry that you won’t eventually end up at the airport or downtown.
I haven’t used that many stations, but I have ridden the entire length in both directions.

Oh Orange Line, I love you even though you have ridiculous hours. At least you’re trying… now I can at least stay out until 1 if I want to be able to catch a train home. If you «don’t feel safe» on my line then get the eff off the train and pay for a cab. Seriously… this isn’t Montana. Learn how to live in the city or just go crawl back into your suburb. The worst thing about the orange line is all the tourists coming in/​going to Midway who stand in front of the doors staring down the maps.

the graffiti is too much-​i dont feel save! i’d rather take the bus… check out the pictures

I must say, I am pleasantly surprised.
Before this trip I had only taken the Orange line a few stops, usually in the Loop to catch a Brown line train. This morning however I took it to catch my flight to Midway. Why was I impressed? The train was clean (relatively speaking), b.o. free, and it didn’t hit any notable slow zones. It was fairly empty when I rode it, but I think that’s because all sensible people were in bed getting some shut eye.
I reserve the right to change my opinion in the future, I mean it is the CTA and all. This ride could’ve been an anomaly. We’ll see how I feel on my return ride home.

My brother and I had an expensive long weekend in Chicago back in April. We did not feel like spending more cash on an expensive cab ride from the Hard Rock to Midway. So we checked out the trains in Chicago. We saw that the Orange Line ran from a nearby station by the hotel to the airport. So a $ 40-​$ 60 cab ride turned into a $ 4 train ride (for 2 people).
Great way to a) Try another cities mass transit system, b) See Chicago from a different angle and most importantly c) Save money!