IECON 2024, Chicago, IL
November 3-6, 2024
Airport and Local Travel Information
The city of Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northeast of the state of Illinois. Chicago is two hours away from major North American cities, approximately eight hours away from European and South American capital cities, and around thirteen hours away from major Asian.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O’Hare Airport:
Chicago O’Hare Airport (IATA: ORD) is an international airport located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, 14 miles (23 km) northwest of the Loop business district. Today, it is the world's sixth-busiest airport, serving 83 million passengers. O'Hare had 919,704 aircraft operations, averaging 2,520 per day, the most of any airport in the world in part because of a large number of regional flights. O'Hare serves as a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines, It is also a focus city for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Chicago O'Hare Airport has non-stop flights to 228 destinations in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Chicago O’hare Airport is nicknamed the “busiest square mile in the world”.
Midway International Airport
Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW), is a major commercial airport on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, located eight miles (13 km) from the Loop. Today, Midway is the second-largest airport in Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois, serving 20,844,860 passengers. Midway is a base for Southwest Airlines. The current terminal complex was completed in 2001. The terminal bridges Cicero Avenue and contains 43 gates with facilities for international passengers. Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and the CTA Orange Line provide freeway and rapid transit access to The Loop.
Public Transportation
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA):
The US second largest public transportation system, the CTA operates Chicago’s eight ‘L’ train lines and 129 bus routes. Two lines operate 24/7: the Blue Line, which connects Chicago O’Hare International Airport and downtown, and the Red Line, with service between the North and South Sides via downtown. Convenient CTA bus routes travel throughout the city, with stops every few blocks. Several lines offer Night Owl service, running until 2 a.m. or later. Pay cash for single-trip bus rides or purchase a reloadable Ventra Transit Card or Unlimited Ride Pass for both travel by ‘L’ train and bus.
Metra Rail:
The high-speed Metra commuter rail train connects outlying suburbs to downtown Chicago and is a fast and easy way to travel to the heart of the city.
Taxis:
In addition to hailing taxis throughout the city, you can e-hail and e-pay with CHICABS-approved apps ARRO and CURB. Credit cards are accepted in all taxis.
Ridesharing:
Download your free Lyft and/or Uber app for on-demand ridesharing throughout the city. Simply enter your current location and destination, review fare options, and request your ride.
Driving in Chicago
Driving in downtown Chicago? Here are some useful resources and apps:
• Interactive map of public parking facilities in downtown Chicago.
• iParkit: Allows you to reserve a guaranteed parking spot.
• Millennium Garages: Visit the site for pre-purchase and drive-up rates.
• ABM Parking: Find convenient parking lots all around Chicago.
• ParkChicago: Allows you to create an account linked to your car’s license plate; then you can enter the zone number on any Chicago street meter car parking sign to pay.
• SpotHero: Parking spots across the city accessible from your phone.
• ParkWhiz: Find parking, compare prices, and reserve a space from your phone. Check out road rules here. And find traffic and road conditions from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
