is the orange line safe going to Midway Airport?

[drumflower]

Hello! We are flying out of midway and have some questions. We will taking the South Shore from South Bend and transfering to the orange line at Randolf station. Is this a safe thing to do? We will stick out because of all our luggage and will thieves see us as a target? There is no security on the train so I am a little worried. Would it be better to take a cab? Also where does the orange line let you out? Is it outside? How far from the airport. I don't want to be walking around the street at night. I know I am just a big chicken! Please help!

 

[NCRedding]

We live in a very small town!! That being said, we used the train to get to and from Midway with no problems in June. The train does let out inside at the airport--it is on the other side of a parking garage that you have to go through, so there is some walking involved. Follow the signs and you'll be OK. At the station, try to get the attention of the attendant so that they will open the handicapped gate for you to get your luggage through, don't try to go through the turnstiles (we are very naive when it comes to public tranportation, so we tried that--bad idea). We made the mistake of leaving downtown during rush hour, so we kept meeting droves of people coming up the stairs as we were trying to negoitate down the stairs--I wouldn't do that again. But if we can do it, you can do it. Also, there were a good number of people with luggage going to the airport, so you really don't stand out.

 

[drumflower]

Thanks NC! ( I see that you understand) Where are the stairs? Are you talking about the ones from the street to go down to the station? Since we are taking South Shore ( which is another train) it lets us off already downstairs. I am not sure where to get on the orange line. Is in inside the Randolf station? That would be great! Also is the walkway well lit from the station to the airport? Is it well traveled? I feel much safer with people around. Thanks!

 

[inkkognito]

My husband takes it all the time. It is safe, except for the risk of deafness from the ear-blasting recording of Big Ben's chimes every time they made an announcement! They run frequently, and it's a short walk through the parking structure and into the terminal. We park across the street from the station, so we use that entrance all the time. A lot of commuters use it too.
Barb

 

[drumflower]

Do any of you know which train station is easier to transfer from the South Shore? Thanks! You are all so helpful! By the way I just love Lou Mitchells and old seafood place downtown(can't think of the name)

 

[NCRedding]

The stairs I am talking about are the ones from the street to the subway--we then transfered to the Orange line, but I don't recall where (it was our first time in Chicago).

Both times we used the walkway, it was in daylight, so I don't know how well lighted. There was always a good number of people either walking to or from the station.

 

[drumflower]

Thanks for you replies! I am feeling much better about using the train instead of a cab. ( much cheaper)

 

[Captain Blue Sky]

I've taken public transportation, particularly the Orange Line, countless number of times in Chicago to/from MDW and other points. Very convenient; I wish we had as good public transit in Charlotte!

You'll see quite a few people with luggage enroute to MDW on the train. Also quite a few airline crew members, as it is far easier to take the train than to park in employee parking and bus yourself to the terminal.

You should have no problem at all!

 

[crzykid]

I used to take the south shore from hegewisch to my job downtown. The train lets you off downstairs and outside so follow the platform inside and go up the stairs and to your left once you make that left you will see the L tracks you cant miss it it is very loud. I have taken the L to midway many times and it is very easy and I felt very safe.