If you do not need it immediately, just buy it online and have it mailed to you. I have done that with the CTA a bunch of times.

BillJ

Thanks for your help.
Unfortunately I don't have time to buy online.
Just not looking forward to the walk in this heat...

104 on the bank I passed a little bit ago. ugh.

if you're really worried about it, you could pay for one extra ride (go to Clinton, buy a card with $3 on it), then ride to wherever you're going and buy a pass there.

This is certainly an option. Clark/Lake is a major station with all sorts of connections possible, and a quick hop on the Blue line from Clinton.

Can someone tell me where EXACTLY the 3-day pass machine is at ORD? What stores / landmarks it is near?

The site says "In airport, lower level, between Airline Terminals 1 & 2" (http://www.transitchicago.com/travel...gmachines.aspx). How nice and vague.

Another post here said that the machine is at the actual Blue Line station.

So which is it - at the station, or, between Terminals 1 & 2? Or, is the station essentially between Terminals 1 & 2.

It will make a big difference to me if it is at T1, because I'm coming in from T3 and would have to take the airport shuttle train all the way to T1 to get the pass, and then walk back to T2 to catch the subway.

Anyone? I arrive TOMORROW NIGHT! Thanks!

All of the above. :) The machine is in front of the Blue Line CTA entrance, on the lower level, in the middle of T1, T2 and T3. You don't need to take Airtrain, just go down one level from the T3 baggage claim area, and follow moving walkways to the CTA. There will be several ticketing machines there. Passes are sold by the skinny machines. Wider ones sell and reload regular fare cards. If you can't find the right one, ask an attendant.

And in case you were considering it, I also wouldn't bother with the airport train at all. Coming in from T3 just go down to the bagage claim level and follow the signs for CTA-Train to City. It isn't a far walk and will be much faster than taking the train one stop.

Yep. Just realized it after the fact. Kept walking and didn't even notice I hadn't used the airport train by the time I got to the CTA station! So I didn't need to use the airport train atall :)