Major city · United States
Elmhurst
Half a day or one night if you are visiting family or want the Elmhurst Art Museum; otherwise skip — Chicago is 30 min by train and has more to offer.
Elmhurst is a quiet, leafy suburb 30 minutes west of Chicago on the Metra Union Pacific West line. Its main draw is the Elmhurst Art Museum, housed in a Mies van der Rohe–designed building. The town has a compact downtown with a few bars and restaurants, but most travellers will find Chicago a better use of their time.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Elmhurst911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Elmhurst, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyElmhurst is a safe suburb.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD O'Hare International Airport (About 20 min by car; no direct train — take the Blue Line to downtown Chicago and transfer to the Metra Union…
- Getting aroundMetra Union Pacific West line connects Elmhurst to Chicago (Ogilvie Transportation Center) in about 30 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Street or quick mealBurgers and sandwiches$10–15
- BeerPint of beer at Fitz's Pub$5–7
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from O'Hare to Elmhurst$30–40
- Budget bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD O'Hare International Airport (About 20 min by car; no direct train — take the Blue Line to downtown Chicago and transfer to the Metra Union Pacific West line.) · MDW Chicago Midway International Airport (About 30 min by car; take the Orange Line to downtown Chicago and transfer to the Metra Union Pacific West line.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Elmhurst: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metra Union Pacific West line connects Elmhurst to Chicago (Ogilvie Transportation Center) in about 30 min. Pace buses run local routes. A car is useful for reaching Sky Zone Elmhurst or the chain hotels.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Metra Union Pacific West line from Elmhurst station to Ogilvie Transportation Center, about 30 min
The main reason to stay in Elmhurst: cheap parking and a fast train into the Loop.
Door to door: About 30 min
Metra Union Pacific West line to Oak Park, about 10 min
Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, plus the Unity Temple.
Door to door: About 45 min
Metra Union Pacific West line to Naperville, about 20 min
Larger downtown with the Riverwalk and the DuPage Children's Museum.
Door to door: About 40 min
Metra Union Pacific West line to Lisle, about 15 min
Morton Arboretum is the main draw.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Elmhurst
A few hotels and motels near the train station; walkable to the museum and bars.
Along I-290 / North Ave
Chain hotels with parking; you will need a car or rideshare to reach the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Metra round trip to Chicago2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Pace bus one ride2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$40 |
| Trip total≈ US$222 per person per day, bed included | US$444 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Pint of beer at Fitz's Pub | $5–7 |
| Burgers and sandwiches | $10–15 |
| Metra one-way to Chicago | $4.25 (check) |
| Taxi from O'Hare to Elmhurst | $30–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Metra trains run less frequently on weekends and late evenings; check the schedule.
- Downtown Elmhurst is small — most restaurants and bars close by 22:00 on weeknights.Downtown Elmhurst is small — most restaurants and bars close by 10:00 PM on weeknights.
- Sky Zone Elmhurst requires a waiver and socks with grip; check hours online before going.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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ElmhurstElmhurst
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest consulates are in Chicago. Check the US State Department website for your country's embassy in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Elmhurst → Chicago (Ogilvie): about $4.25 one way, 30 min (check)
- Taxi O'Hare → Elmhurst: $30–40
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank yoo)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how MUCH iz it)
- Where is the train station? — Where is the train station? (wair iz the trayn STAY-shun)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Elmhurst. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified opening hours for the Elmhurst Art Museum and Sky Zone Elmhurst.
- Eat pages with last orders for downtown restaurants.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the Metra station.
Sources
Ask about Elmhurst
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