Chicago taxi costs vary depending on whether you're hailing a city cab, booking a airport ride from a suburb, or picking up from inside the airport. Here's the complete 2026 breakdown — metered city rates, airport fares, and suburb-to-airport fares for every major Chicago suburb.
City of Chicago Taxi Rates (2026)
Metered taxis operating within the City of Chicago use the following official rates set by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection:
Using these rates, here's what common Chicago city taxi trips cost in 2026:
| Trip | Miles | Est. Metered Fare | With 20% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop to Wicker Park | ~3 mi | $9–11 | $11–13 |
| Loop to Lincoln Park | ~4 mi | $12–15 | $14–18 |
| Loop to O'Hare (ORD) | ~18 mi | $45–55 | $54–66 |
| Loop to Midway (MDW) | ~10 mi | $28–36 | $34–43 |
| O'Hare to Midway | ~25 mi | $58–72 | $70–86 |
| O'Hare to Evanston | ~15 mi | $37–45 | $44–54 |
Metered fares are estimates and vary with traffic. Toll charges are added by law. Tip is customary (15–20%) and not included in metered fares.
Airport Taxi Costs: Chicago Suburbs to O'Hare (ORD)
Suburban airport taxis use estimated fares instead of meters. These prices are set at booking and never change — no surge, no traffic penalties, all charges shown upfront. Below are the 2026 fares from the most searched Chicago suburbs:
| City | Sedan to ORD | Minivan to ORD | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schaumburg | $68 | $83 | 18 mi |
| Arlington Heights | $65 | $80 | 16 mi |
| Evanston | $55 | $70 | 13 mi |
| Elgin | $79 | $94 | 22 mi |
| Naperville | $83 | $98 | 30 mi |
| Waukegan | $88 | $103 | 32 mi |
| Crystal Lake | $91 | $106 | 38 mi |
| Joliet | $105 | $120 | 40 mi |
| Bolingbrook | $88 | $103 | 28 mi |
| Gurnee | $85 | $100 | 30 mi |
Need your specific city? View all 300+ fares →
Airport Taxi Costs: Chicago Suburbs to Midway (MDW)
Midway Airport is generally farther from north and northwest suburbs, making the fares higher for those areas. South suburbs are closer. Key 2026 Midway fares:
| City | Sedan to MDW | Minivan to MDW | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $90 | $105 | 22 mi |
| Schaumburg | $112 | $127 | 35 mi |
| Evanston | $75 | $90 | 20 mi |
| Bolingbrook | $55 | $70 | 15 mi |
| Crystal Lake | $140 | $155 | 50 mi |
How Does Chicago Taxi Cost Compare to Uber?
For short city trips (under 10 miles), Uber and metered taxis are usually within $3–8 of each other on a no-surge ride. Uber often wins on short city hops during low-demand periods.
For suburban airport trips, the math flips. A airport taxi from Schaumburg to O'Hare is always $68. Uber on that same route runs $55–70 with no surge — but at 1.8x surge (very common for 4–6am departures), Uber becomes $99–126. The airport taxi stays at $68 regardless of time, weather, or demand.
For the full cost-by-cost comparison: Airport Taxi vs Uber to O'Hare → and Uber vs Taxi at Midway Airport →
How to Calculate Your Chicago Taxi Fare
For city metered taxi trips, use this formula:
- Start with the $3.25 flag drop
- Add $2.25 × number of miles
- Add $0.50 × (passengers beyond first)
- Add estimated wait time at $0.50/min if traffic is slow
- Add tolls (shown on meter)
- Add 15–20% tip
Example — 8-mile Chicago city trip, 2 passengers, light traffic:
$3.25 + ($2.25 × 8) + $0.50 = $21.75 + tip = ~$26–28 total
For suburban airport fares, there's nothing to calculate — your price is set at booking. Enter your city at the booking form → to see your exact published price instantly.
Chicago Taxi Cost vs Parking at the Airport
If you're deciding between taking a taxi and driving yourself, parking costs factor in:
- O'Hare Economy Parking (Lot F): $22–24/day
- Midway Economy Parking: $19–22/day
- A 4-day trip: $88–96 in parking fees alone — plus the hassle and shuttle ride
- A 7-day trip: $133–168 in parking — typically more than a airport taxi from most suburbs
For most trips of 3+ days, the airport taxi is cheaper than airport parking and far more convenient. Full breakdown: Taxi vs Parking at O'Hare: Real Cost Breakdown →
Special Scenarios: When Chicago Taxi Costs Change
Late Night Fee
Our airport service applies a small late-night fee for pickups between 10:00pm and 4:45am. This is disclosed at booking — the total is still confirmed. City metered taxis do not currently charge a separate late-night surcharge (the meter rate covers all hours).
Holiday Travel
Airport taxi prices do not change on holidays. Your rate is the same on Christmas Day as on a Tuesday in March. Uber surge during holiday weekends can reach 2.5x–3x — the airport taxi eliminates that risk entirely. See 24/7 taxi availability at Chicago airports →
Group Travel
Our minivan fares are $15 more than the sedan rate for the same route. A group of 5 from Naperville to O'Hare pays $98 total split across 5 people — that's less than $20 per person, far cheaper than 5 separate Ubers.
✓ Quick Reference: Chicago Taxi Costs 2026
City metered taxi: $3.25 flag drop + $2.25/mile — a typical 5-mile city ride is $14–17 before tip
O'Hare to downtown Chicago (metered): $45–55 + tip
Suburb to O'Hare (fare): $55–105 depending on distance — confirmed at booking, no surge
Suburb to Midway (fare): $55–140 depending on distance — same confirmed estimate
Get Your Exact Suburb Rate
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