Anyone ride amtrack from Indy to Chicago

[goofymom23]

I would like to plan a short trip for me and my daughter this summer (shes 18). Would love some information on the train ride, where to stay, and fun things for us to do.
thanks

 

[bucket o' butter]

I live about 70 miles north of Indy. When we go into Chicago, I drive up north and catch the South Shore train that goes right into downtown Chicago. I am not sure where you live though so Amtrak might be a better option. Regardless, the train station is right downtown. I am not sure what you are planning to do while there, but I would recommend getting a bus pass. You can get them by the day or for several days in a row. Here is the link for purchasing the bus passes:

http://faremedia.chicago-card.com/store/main.aspx?DepartmentId=34

I had never used the Chicago bus system before last year and was a bit nervous. We had no big problems at all. Well, one time we got on the bus going the wrong direction, but the people on the bus helped us out and told us exactly how to get back to our starting point.

As far as the South Shore train and where the stops are (they basically run across the top of Indiana into Chicago.) Here is info about that:

http://www.nictd.com/

There are several nice, and inexpensive, hotels right in downtown Chicago. We stayed at a Marriott and paid around $150 a night. That seems a bit high, but for Chicago that isn't too bad. We usually go to Chicago once a year, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

 

[Donaldswife]

Our family took Amtrak from Indianapolis to Chicago a couple of years ago. The trip up was nice and uneventful, but when we got to the station to head back home we ran into problems. They never really explained anything to us, just hearded everyone waiting for the train up and told us to follow them. They then led us outside and told us to board a motorcoach, there were two out there waiting. Without giving us any other option we had to board the motorcoach and take it home. It took a lot longer than the train, because we had to get off of 65 and take one person to her train stop in Crawfordville, then drive all the way back to 65 to get to Indy. My husband HATES busses, so he was not pleased. All we heard was something about the engineer for our train calling in sick (apparently hungover) and not being able to find another engineer on a Sunday afternoon.......that was our one and ONLY experience with the Amtak train. Kind of a bummer too since the ride up was so relaxing. I believe it was an isolated occurance, but you will never get my husband on an Amtrak train after that!!

 

[skip323]

We cannot stand the train from Indy to Chicago!!! That being said...we have done it. The problem is it only leaves at 6 am from Indy and only arrives into Indy, on return, at midnight (I believe). The train never really gets rolling like....chugging along!! We took our dd's so that they could experience a train ride but it was not fun (we will do via rail in Canada next time and do Windsor to Toronto or something like that...it is a really good ride!!).

We did the train for the experience but now do the Megabus for the convenience. Leaves from downtown behind the city county building. Gets into Chicago 3 hours later. Usually is a double decker bus which is a blast. Leaves Indy approximately every 2 hours so you have a wide selection of times to take off and return.

Travelzoo.com is a great site for finding deals on hotels. We have had great luck getting a good hotel right on Michigan Ave or a block off.

We go every year and just choose one major attraction and then roam Michigan Ave and the neighborhoods around there.

When I go with friends we always choose a major show (Like Wicked a couple of years ago) to catch since it takes so much longer for those shows to hit Indy. We also find a really great restaurant and shop Michigan Ave and side streets. My daughters are younger so we do other things.

I never think you are too old for the Museums and the Aquarium.

Enjoy!

 

[goofymom23]

Thanks everyone.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to the Amtrak timetable, there is only one daily train in each direction. Depending on the day of the week, it is either The Cardinal or The Hoosier Express.

Departure from Chicago is at 5:45 pm with arrival in Indianpolis at 11:50pm. Return departs Indianapolis at 6:30am and arrives Chicago at 10:35am. Current fare appears to be $38 each way.