$2.25 gets you from O’Hare to Elmhurst on Pace 330
Pace Route 330 is the $2.25 suburban bus that links the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility to Elmhurst, Villa Park, and other stops along Mannheim Road and North Avenue. It’s meant for local commuters, not tourists with rollaboards, so expect a regular city bus vibe rather than an airport coach.
The bus does not leave directly from Terminals 1, 2, 3, or 5; you first ride the free Airport Transit System (ATS) train to the Multi-Modal Facility/O’Hare Transfer stop. From there, follow signs for Pace buses and look for the 330 stop marked toward Elmhurst and North Ave. Allow 10–15 extra minutes from your gate to the bus bay, especially if you’re coming from Terminal 5.
Typical ride time to Elmhurst hovers between 40 and 60+ minutes, and that’s on a normal traffic day along Mannheim and North Avenue. This line stops frequently through industrial strips and western suburbs and is not built as an airport express. If you’re comparing to a 20–25 minute Uber ride, assume the bus can easily take double that, especially in the afternoon peak.
Weekday service generally runs every 20–40 minutes in the daytime, then thins out into the evening and on weekends. Late-night coverage is sparse enough that a delayed 10:30 p.m. arrival at ORD can leave you stranded. Regulars look at the real-time tracker in the Pace app instead of trusting printed schedules, because congestion around North Ave and Mannheim often blows up the timetable.
Onboard, think standard suburban bus: two-across seats, no luggage racks, and limited space for big checked bags. Seats fill with workers and students who already use Pace; one Reddit regular flat-out says they only recommend 330 to people already familiar with the system. If you’re hauling multiple suitcases, rideshare or a taxi from O’Hare will simply be less miserable, even at 5–10 times the price.
How to ride Pace Route 330 from O’Hare
- 1. After landing at Terminals 1, 2, 3, or 5, follow signs for the Airport Transit System (ATS) train; ride it to “Multi-Modal Facility / O’Hare Transfer,” which usually takes 5–10 minutes.
- 2. At the Multi-Modal Facility, follow “Pace Bus” signs and find the marked bay for Route 330 toward Elmhurst / North Ave; confirm the direction on the bus headsign before boarding.
- 3. Have $2.25 in cash (exact change) or a Ventra card ready when you board; fares are per ride, with no included luggage allowance.
- 4. Use the Pace app or a maps app to track your stop, especially if you’re getting off near specific cross streets in Elmhurst or Villa Park.
- 5. For late flights or weekend evenings, check the last few trips of the day in advance; if your arrival is close to the final run, line up a backup like Uber or a taxi.
Pro tip: If your flight is delayed past early evening, don’t gamble on 330’s thinner schedule; check the live tracker while still in the terminal and switch to rideshare if headways jump past 40 minutes.