Chicago Marathon 2026 Travel Guide: Best Ways to Get Around

Chicago Marathon 2026 Travel Guide: Top 3 Ways to Get Around

Intro: The 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the start and finish in Chicago’s iconic Grant Park. As one of the world’s largest marathons over 50,000 runners (expected to approach 55,000 in 2026) and ~1.7 million spectators line the 26.2-mile course the city will be buzzing all weekend. Whether you’re a racer or a fan, figuring out transportation is crucial. This guide highlights the top three ways to get around during Chicago Marathon weekend (by traveler type), plus insider tips on navigating race-day road closures, using CTA public transit, airport transit from ORD and MDW, when to book your trip, and more. With a little planning, you can focus on the marathon experience instead of worrying about traffic or parking.

Best Transportation Option by Traveler Type

• Solo Runners: Stay at a downtown hotel and use CTA trains or buses for all marathon events (no car needed walk or ride the “L”).
• Families & Spectators: Rent a minivan or SUV for flexibility you’ll have room for kids, strollers, and gear, plus control over your schedule.
• Groups / Running Clubs: Book a 12 or 15 passenger van to keep everyone together ideal for airport transfers, expo trips, and easy coordination on race day.

If you’re traveling solo for the marathon, the city’s transit system and a well-chosen hotel will cover your needs. Public transportation is crucial on race day, since many streets will be closed and parking near the route is scarce. Chicago’s CTA trains (the “L”) and buses can get you to all marathon activities easily so you likely don’t need a rental car if you’re staying downtown. In fact, once you’re in the city, the marathon and most attractions are accessible by transit or on foot.

Choose a hotel near the action. Grant Park (the start/finish area) is in the downtown Loop, so try to stay in the Loop or South Loop neighborhood. That way, you can either walk to the start on race morning or take a very short CTA ride. Many marathoners book hotels within a mile or two of the start line for convenience. If you’re near a Red, Blue, Brown, or Orange Line station in the Loop, you can hop on a train and be at Grant Park within minutes. The CTA will be running extra service early on race morning for example, the Purple Line begins service at 5:30 a.m. instead of the usual 6 a.m. on marathon Sunday. All eight CTA rail lines serve downtown, and any Loop-area station will put you within walking distance of the starting corrals. (If you’re on the Red or Blue Line, exit at Jackson Station and walk east about 4 blocks to Grant Park. From Loop elevated lines, Washington/Wabash or Adams/Wabash are convenient exits.)

Save time with transit passes. As a solo traveler, you’ll appreciate the CTA’s affordability a single ride is ~$2.50, and unlimited 1-day or 3-day Ventra passes are available. Buy a transit pass or load your Ventra card in advance to avoid waiting in ticket lines on race morning. The CTA often deploys extra staff at O’Hare and Midway in the days before the race to help visitors purchase fares and find their way. By using public transit, you’ll bypass road traffic and street closures entirely, making your marathon morning low-stress.

Bottom line for solos: Staying downtown and using the CTA (plus your own two feet) is the top strategy. You’ll save money and hassle by not driving. Chicago’s transit will get you to the expo, start line, and back and you won’t have to worry about finding or paying for parking. Many runners even walk from their hotels to Grant Park on race day. With an early start (the first wave kicks off at 7:30 a.m.), it’s a huge perk to be nearby. So, skip the rental car, book a well-located hotel, and enjoy the convenience of Chicago’s trains and buses throughout marathon weekend.

Best for Families & Spectators Minivan or SUV Rental for Flexibility

Bringing family or a group of cheer squad members? A rental vehicle can be a game-changer. Navigating a busy marathon weekend with kids, relatives, or friends in tow is much easier when you have your own wheels to shuttle around. A minivan or SUV rental is often the best transportation option for families and spectator groups. These vehicles offer roomy seating (7-8 passengers) and plenty of cargo space for strollers, coolers, signage and extra gear all the things you might not want to haul on public transit.

With a minivan rental in Chicago, your family can move at its own pace. Want to explore the city or hit a suburban attraction before or after the race? It’s easy to load everyone up and go. Need to make a grocery run for marathon morning snacks? No problem. A car gives you maximum flexibility: you’re not beholden to train schedules or rideshare availability. For parents with young kids, it means a quick escape if naptime meltdowns occur or a private space for kids to rest between events. You can even use the vehicle for convenient airport transfers it’s often easier (and cheaper) to install car seats in a rental van than to bring them on the train or juggle them in taxis.

A few tips for driving during marathon weekend: plan around road closures. On race Sunday, many streets on and around the course shut down as early as 6:00 a.m. and don’t fully reopen until late afternoon. If your hotel is outside the immediate downtown area, you might drive partway in and park outside the closure zone, then take the CTA to actually reach the course. Downtown garages (like Millennium Garages) and street parking outside the route are options just secure a spot well before 7 a.m. on race day. Once the marathon is underway, do not expect to drive across town easily, as the course creates a loop that cordons off much of central Chicago. It’s often best to park on one side of the course and stay there until the race ends. Keep your schedule flexible on Sunday in case you need to wait for roads to reopen (for example, Columbus Drive by Grant Park typically reopens around 3-4 p.m. after the finish).

That said, having a car is still a huge asset for families. You can store supplies in the vehicle instead of carrying them all day. Need to grab jackets or snacks? It’s all in the minivan. Planning to celebrate post-race at an outlying restaurant or relative’s house? You have a ride ready. And if the kids (or grandparents) get tired during the long event, you can head back to the hotel or move to a different viewing spot on your own timetable. Compare Chicago minivan rentals now to lock in an affordable family vehicle for marathon weekend large rental cars tend to get booked up early around big events. A little investment in a rental can pay off with a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience for your family.

Best for Groups & Running Clubs Passenger Van Rental to Stay Together

Travelling with a whole running club or a big group of friends? Your best bet is to keep everyone together in one vehicle. A group van rental for the Chicago Marathon weekend is ideal for teams, charity groups, or large families coming to the race. In fact, renting a 12-passenger or 15-passenger van is both cost-effective and logistically simpler than splitting into multiple cars or rideshares. You’ll have one set of keys, one parking spot, and one vehicle to coordinate making the entire trip more fun and less chaotic.

Large passenger vans ensure no one gets left behind. You can pile in all passengers plus luggage and race gear in one go. This makes airport pickups a breeze (one van can fetch everyone from O’Hare in a single trip). Heading to the expo at McCormick Place to get your race packets? Load the whole crew into the van and go no need for several Ubers or cramming onto a bus with your bibs and goody bags. The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo is held at McCormick Place Convention Center, about 3 miles south of downtown. With your own van, you can drive right there on Friday or Saturday, park on-site (there’s ample parking at McCormick Place), and comfortably bring back all those free T-shirts and samples. Similarly, on race morning a van allows your group to depart together bright and early, ensuring everyone gets to the start on time. You will need to approach Grant Park from the west or north, as Lake Shore Drive exits and streets around the park close early. It may be wise to park in a designated lot outside the roadblocks and walk or take CTA the last mile to the start.

Cost-wise, a single large van can be much cheaper than multiple smaller rentals or constantly using rideshare for a big group. Split the rental fee and gas among 6, 8, or 12 people, and it’s quite economical per person. Plus, you avoid the surge pricing that hits Uber/Lyft after major events. A passenger van also gives you a mobile base of operations: store everyone’s bags, warmups, snacks, and poster boards in the back. Many 12- and 15-passenger models have removable or folding seats, so you can create extra cargo room if needed. It’s literally a team bus for your marathon crew.

Be aware that driving a big van in Chicago is a bit different than a normal car. Take turns wider, watch your clearance (downtown parking garages often have height limits check ahead if your van is extra tall), and consider assigning the most confident driver in your group to do the honors. No special license is required a standard driver’s license is fine for 12-15 passenger vans in Illinois but the driver should be comfortable with a larger vehicle. Also plan out your parking strategy; reserving a spot in advance for a large vehicle can save time. Airport Van Rental and similar services specialize in these big vehicles, so you can compare passenger van rental deals easily before you go.

In short, a passenger van keeps your squad united. For a group of 5 or more, especially coming from out of town, it’s often the top transportation choice. You’ll make unforgettable memories road-tripping together, and the convenience of everyone arriving at the same place at the same time is priceless on a hectic marathon schedule. (Just remember to decorate your van with your team name or motivating slogans it adds to the fun and helps locate your van in the crowd!)

Getting from the Airport O’Hare vs. Midway and Transit Options

Flying into Chicago, you’ll arrive at either O’Hare or Midway and both are viable for marathon travelers. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is the city’s largest airport and a major global hub, located about 17-18 miles northwest of downtown. Midway International Airport (MDW) is smaller, about 12 miles from downtown on the southwest side. If you have a choice, know that Midway is closer and usually a quicker trip into the city (driving from MDW to downtown takes ~30 minutes in normal traffic, vs. ~40-60 minutes from ORD). A taxi or Uber from Midway costs around $30, compared to $45+ from O’Hare. However, O’Hare handles far more flights especially international and long-haul routes so many marathon visitors will end up there by default.

Fortunately, both airports offer easy transit to downtown. The most budget-friendly way is via the CTA trains: the Blue Line runs 24/7 from ORD directly into the Loop (about 45-50 minutes to downtown stations), and the Orange Line runs from MDW to the Loop (about 25-30 minutes, operating roughly 4am to 1am). The trains depart right from the airport (follow signs to “CTA Trains”). If you land during rush hour, taking the train can actually be faster than sitting in traffic on the expressways plus it’s just $5 from O’Hare or $2.50 from Midway. The CTA will be prepared for marathon crowds, even staffing extra personnel at O’Hare and Midway in the days before the race to assist visitors. So, if you’re packing light or on a budget, hop on the “L” and you’ll avoid highway headaches.

Prefer to drive or have a lot of luggage? Airport car rentals are a convenient option at both airports. Picking up an ORD rental car is straightforward O’Hare’s rental car center is a modern Multi-Modal Facility on airport property. After you collect your bags, you’ll take a quick free shuttle or tram (the Airport Transit System) to the rental center, where all the major companies (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, etc.) have counters. At Midway, rental car pickup is also easy: a free shuttle from the terminal will take you to Midway’s consolidated Rental Car Center in just 5-10 minutes. Tip: Reserve your car or van in advance. Marathon weekend is busy, and larger vehicles (minivans, 12-passenger vans) can sell out fast during big events. Booking early ensures you get the vehicle you need, whether it’s a compact car or a 15-passenger van.

When driving in from ORD or MDW, plan for potential delays. Friday and Saturday before the marathon will see heavy inbound travel. If you land Friday evening, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) from O’Hare might be congested sometimes the Blue Line train can beat it if traffic is bad. From Midway, the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) is typically a smoother ride, but a big influx of visitors (or a Bears home game at nearby Soldier Field) could cause slowdowns. It’s wise to give yourself extra time to get from the airport to your hotel, especially if you’re heading straight to the expo before it closes. And if you’re arriving on Sunday morning (race day), be aware that some highway exits into downtown may be closed for the marathon or related street closures. For instance, exits off I-90/94 in the Loop could be blocked follow any posted detour routes and consider using public transit for the final leg into the city.

In summary, both ORD and MDW work fine for marathon travelers. Midway is closer and smaller (often less hassle), while O’Hare has more flights and services. Both have robust transit connections and rental car facilities. If flight prices and schedules are similar, Midway might edge out for convenience. But if you’re coming from far away or internationally, you’ll likely go through O’Hare. Either way, plan your ground transport ahead of time decide if you’ll take the CTA (recommended for solo travelers) or get a car (great for groups) and budget a bit of padding into your schedule. Once you’re in the city, the marathon excitement begins!

Race Weekend Tips Navigating Road Closures and Spectator Travel

Marathon weekend in Chicago is an exciting but hectic time. Here are some essential transportation tips and tricks to make your race day as smooth as possible:

• Expect Extensive Road Closures: On Sunday (race day), many major streets will be closed as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain closed until midday or later. The 26.2-mile course loops through downtown and the neighborhoods, shutting down key arteries. Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue, and Roosevelt Road around Grant Park are among the first to close and last to reopen. If you must drive on race day, plan to avoid the course entirely. Park well outside the route (or use garages in areas not encircled by the course) and do not plan on crossing through the city by car until the race is over. The city publishes detailed street closure maps study them in advance if you’ll be driving.
• Use CTA for Spectating: The CTA is by far the best way for spectators to get around on race day. Chicago runs extra trains on marathon Sunday to accommodate the crowds. With an all-day CTA pass, you can zip from the Loop to various mile markers to cheer on your runner. Pro tip: the Red Line is a spectator’s friend it parallels the course and has stations near Miles 4, 8, 13, 16, 21, and 23 (e.g. Grand, Addison, Cermak-Chinatown, Sox-35th). The Brown/Green Lines can take you to Lincoln Park (North Side) or Near West Side spots. And the Orange Line can get you to Bridgeport/Chinatown (Miles 20-22) quickly. Plan your viewing route using the CTA ‘L’ map and pick a few key stations to hop between. Trains will be crowded but they’re frequent, and you’ll be moving while the streets are gridlocked. (Buses are less reliable due to detours, so stick to trains if possible.)
• Start Your Day Early: Whether you’re running or spectating, give yourself plenty of time on marathon morning. The start corrals at Grant Park fill up before 7:00 a.m., and gates open to runners at 5:30 a.m.. If you’re a runner, aim to be at the park at least 60-90 minutes before your start time to allow for security screening and bag check. Spectators, if you want a spot near the start line or along Mile 1, get there early too. Trains in the 5:00-6:00 a.m. hour will be full of runners expect crowds and possibly short delays getting on. It’s better to be downtown early and relaxed than rushing and risking missing the start. Remember that the first wave starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp, and the last wave by 8:35 a.m., so the window is tight.
• Buy a Transit Pass (Ventra): If you’ll be using CTA transit multiple times (very likely on race weekend), save yourself the hassle and get a Ventra transit card or pass ahead of time. The CTA strongly recommends loading a 1-Day or 3-Day unlimited ride pass onto your Ventra card in advance. This way you can skip the ticket vending machine lines on race day, which can be long. You can purchase and top-up Ventra cards at O’Hare, Midway, any ‘L’ station, or many retail stores. An unlimited pass lets you hop on/off trains and buses all day without worrying about fares perfect for spectating multiple spots. It’s one less thing to worry about when you’re navigating packed stations. (You can also pay with contactless credit cards or mobile wallets at the turnstiles, but having the pass is usually quicker for a full day’s travel.)
• Rideshare & Taxi Tips: If you plan to use Uber, Lyft, or cabs, know the designated drop-off points. You won’t be able to get right up to Grant Park the city usually sets up drop-off/pick-up zones a few blocks away from the race perimeter. Follow the guidance in your rideshare app, which will direct drivers to allowed locations (often west of State Street or north of the park). Be prepared to walk a bit from there to your viewing area or the runner reunite area. After the race, demand for rideshares will skyrocket when 50,000 exhausted runners (and even more spectators) all finish around the same time. Surge pricing and long wait times are common between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Consider delaying your pickup grab lunch or relax for an hour post-race to let the crowds disperse. If you do call a ride, you might walk a few blocks away from Grant Park to make pickup easier. And always double-check road closures on the app drivers will be navigating detours. Patience is key. (Alternatively, if you parked a car in a nearby garage, you may want to wait until streets reopen to depart most closures lift by mid/late afternoon.)

By following these tips, you’ll maneuver through marathon weekend like a pro. The key themes: plan ahead, use transit, and give yourself extra time. Chicago’s marathon is an amazing spectacle a little logistics foresight will ensure you don’t miss a moment of it due to transportation snafus.

When to Book Timeline for Flights, Hotels & Rentals

When should you lock in your Chicago Marathon travel plans? In a word: early. Marathon weekend brings a surge of visitors to Chicago, and demand for flights, hotels, and rental vehicles goes through the roof. To avoid sold-out situations or sky-high prices, plan to make reservations well in advance.

For context, interest in the Chicago Marathon is enormous the 2025 race saw a record 160,000 people apply for entry (for just over 50,000 spots). That means tens of thousands of runners (plus their families and friends) all converging on the city for the same weekend. Hotels in downtown Chicago typically sell out months ahead of the marathon. Many official partner hotels open room blocks once the lottery/entries are announced (usually late fall or winter of the previous year) and will be booked solid by midsummer. These hotels often require a minimum 2- or 3-night stay over marathon weekend. If you want a prime location (walking distance to Grant Park), you should reserve your room as soon as your entry is confirmed or even beforehand, if you’re comfortable with a refundable booking. Waiting until September or later to book lodging could leave you paying very steep rates or staying far from downtown.

The same advice goes for rental cars and vans. Large vehicles, in particular, are a niche category and can get fully booked during big events. If you know you’ll need a 12-passenger van for your running team or a minivan for your family, try to book it a few months out. Prices also tend to rise as inventory diminishes. By booking 3-6 months in advance, you not only ensure availability but often lock in a better rate. Many rental companies allow reservation with free cancellation, so it’s worth securing a vehicle early (you can always cancel later if plans change). Pro tip: Marathon weekend often coincides with other events and holidays for example, it sometimes aligns with Columbus Day and Chicago often has a big convention in October so there could be competing demand for transportation. Early birds truly get the worm here.

In terms of flights, keep an eye on them once you know you’re running or attending. Airlines sometimes add capacity for major events, but generally, you’ll want to buy tickets at least 2-3 months out for the best options. Flying in on the Thursday or Friday before the race and out on Monday (or late Sunday) is common. Those flights will fill up, and prices can spike as October 11, 2026 approaches. If you’re on a budget, consider flying on less popular days or times (e.g. Wednesday arrival, or very early/late flights). And remember Midway can be an alternative to O’Hare if it offers better deals or schedules from your city.

To summarize, don’t procrastinate. The Chicago Marathon is a massive international event with participants from all 50 states and 100+ countries. High demand is the norm. Aim to have your hotel and vehicle booked no later than summer 2026, and earlier if possible. Many repeat attendees actually book their hotel one year in advance! If you miss out on downtown accommodations, look at hotels near O’Hare or in nearby neighborhoods with good transit but book those early too. The peace of mind from securing your bookings will let you focus on training and trip planning, rather than scrambling for a place to stay or a way to get around. Early planning ensures you’ll have a comfortable and convenient marathon weekend in the Windy City.

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