Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
What are the best ways to get around Northbrook and the surrounding communities. Well, first of all you can take a cab or an Uber. Some of those numbers are below. But you can also take a bus or a train. There is great train service between Northbrook and Chicago, and Milwaukee as well for that matter.
There are also several conveniently located airports. O'Hare, the nation's busiest airport, depending on how you measure it, is only a 20 minute drive. Midway, is about an hour's drive, depending on traffic. Lastly, the nation's larget private airport, Chicago Executive Airport (formerly known as Palwaukee), is a quick 10 minute drive from downtown Northbrook.
Taking Chicago's notorious traffic into account, the best and/or easiest way to get around Chicago is via public transportation, specifically the 'L' train. Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, the 'L' (short for "elevated train") is cheap and easy to use. The CTA also operates an extensive bus system with routes servicing nearly every attraction in Chicago, but the bus may be difficult for visitors to navigate.
There's also the Metra Rail regional train system that makes stops throughout downtown Chicago and in neighboring cities and suburbs, including Northbrook. You can use public transit to reach the city from both nearby airports. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) sits 18 miles northwest of downtown and can be accessed via the L's Blue Line, and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is located about 11 miles southwest of downtown and can be reached using the L's Orange Line.
Buses
Trains
The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is the nation's second largest public transportation system. The CTA operates Chicago's eight 'L' train lines and 129 bus routes. Two of those 'L' train lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Blue Line, which connects Chicago O'Hare International Airport and downtown, and the Red Line, with service between the North and South Sides via downtown.
Other
What's the best way to travel between Northbrook and O'Hare? Try American Taxi. They have pre-set rates for most towns to and from Chicago. O'Hare is run by the City of Chicago, so if you just jump in a Cab there it will cost you about $60 for the ride. But if you use American Taxi instead, the exact same trip will cost you about $27 (subject to change).