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Getting Around Chicago with Your Pet
🇺🇸Chicago, United States·Updated 10 June 2026
Chicago has two international airports (O'Hare ORD and Midway MDW), a dense CTA 'L' elevated rail network, a Metra commuter rail, CTA buses, the Divvy bikeshare and Amtrak Union Station. CTA and Metra both accept small pets in fully enclosed carriers free of charge, with off-peak restrictions on Metra. Uber Pet and Lyft Pet cover the entire metro for a $3-5 surcharge. ORD and MDW both have indoor pet relief areas in every terminal, and American, United, Delta and Southwest accept small pets in cabin for $95-150 per segment. The Chicago Riverwalk and the Lakefront Trail are pedestrian-and-leashed-dog corridors that link most downtown sights without a car.
| Mode | Policy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| CTA 'L' Train (elevated rail) | 💡 | |
| CTA Bus | 💡 | |
| Metra Commuter Rail | 💡 | |
| O'Hare International Airport (ORD) & Midway (MDW) | 💡 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a large dog on Chicago public transit?
Not on CTA ('L' or bus) or Metra: the carrier rule is absolute for non-service dogs of any size. Service animals ride free everywhere, leashed, no carrier needed. For door-to-door with a larger dog, Uber Pet and Lyft Pet cover the entire metro area with no size limit for $3-5 over the standard fare; the Lakefront Trail and the Chicago Riverwalk also let you walk most downtown routes with a leashed dog without taking transit at all.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Chicago
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago
★★★★ · 8.8/10
€210/night
Kimpton Gray Hotel
★★★★ · 8.9/10
€230/night
Hotel Lincoln, JdV by Hyatt
★★★★ · 8.5/10
€170/night