How to get from Chicago O Hare to Kenosha by train

Question

Hi! I’m using the train for the first time in Chicago to get to Kenosha. I have been reading to take the UP-N train line to get to Kenosha and to go in the blue line that is located in Ohare Airport but I don’t know how to transfer from blue line to UP-N line. I don’t know either how to pay for the tickets. I arrive at 3pm to Ohare and I believe I’ll be getting out of inmigration at maybe 4pm. Can I still make that trip at that time?

Answer

Traveling from O’Hare Airport to Kenosha by train is definitely doable, but it requires a transfer in downtown Chicago from the CTA to Metra commuter rail. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make the trip and what to expect.

Step 1: From O’Hare to Downtown Chicago

At O’Hare, take the CTA Blue Line train toward Forest Park. The Blue Line station is located inside the airport, accessible from all terminals.
The ride to downtown Chicago (The Loop) takes about 45–50 minutes. Trains run approximately every 7–10 minutes during the afternoon.
Pay for the Blue Line using a Ventra Card or contactless payment (credit/debit card or mobile pay). A single ride is $2.50.

Step 2: Transfer to Metra UP-N Line to Kenosha

Exit the Blue Line at the Clinton or Washington/Wells station in downtown Chicago. Walk to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, which is the Metra terminal for the Union Pacific North Line (UP-N).
The walk from the CTA station to Ogilvie is about 5–10 minutes depending on which exit you take. Follow signage for Metra/Union Pacific North trains.
At Ogilvie, purchase a Metra ticket to Kenosha. Tickets can be bought at the ticket counter, ticket vending machines, or via the Ventra app (Metra recently integrated app payments). Fares vary, around $8–$10 for one-way.
The Metra UP-N line to Kenosha takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the train schedule.

Timing Considerations:

If you land at 3:00 PM and clear immigration by 4:00 PM, you could realistically catch a Metra train departing around 5:00–5:30 PM. Check the Metra schedule in advance as trains to Kenosha may not run extremely late in the evening.
Allow some buffer time for luggage, immigration, and walking between CTA and Metra stations.
If you miss the last UP-N train for the day, consider staying overnight in Chicago or taking a rideshare/taxi for the remaining leg to Kenosha.

Tips:

Download both the CTA and Metra schedules and apps to track train times in real-time.
Have a small amount of cash or a card for Metra tickets, as not all machines may accept every form of payment.
If you are traveling with luggage, try to board the Blue Line at O’Hare in a less crowded car for more space.
Consider using a map app or asking station staff for the best walking route between the CTA station and Ogilvie Transportation Center.

In summary, taking the Blue Line from O’Hare to downtown, then transferring to the Metra UP-N line at Ogilvie Transportation Center is the standard route. With your arrival time at 3 PM and clearing immigration by 4 PM, you should be able to make an evening train to Kenosha if you plan efficiently and check schedules in advance.