OT - Chicago transportation question

[dudspizza]

I am going to Chicago in July for a national dance competition... no not me, but for my daughter.

We are staying downtown at the Hyatt Regency. There is a parking fee of $40/day and we can fly for like $120 round trip, so we may do that.

My question. Which airport would be better to fly in to, O'Hare or Midway? We most likely will take the Metra train downtown..... anyone have some insight as to which airport is better and if using the train to downtown is the way to go? We would fly in on a Monday morning and fly out on a Thursday afternoon.

Thanks!

Duds

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am going to Chicago in July for a national dance competition... no not me, but for my daughter.

We are staying downtown at the Hyatt Regency. There is a parking fee of $40/day and we can fly for like $120 round trip, so we may do that.

My question. Which airport would be better to fly in to, O'Hare or Midway? We most likely will take the Metra train downtown..... anyone have some insight as to which airport is better and if using the train to downtown is the way to go? We would fly in on a Monday morning and fly out on a Thursday afternoon.

I assume you're at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on East Wacker Drive.

Chicago-O'Hare Airport and Chicago-Midway Airport are both served by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains. CTA trains are the elevated and subways trains in Chicago. O'Hare is at the end of the CTA Blue Line and Midway is at the end of the CTA Orange Line, and you can easily walk from your terminal to a CTA station at either airport. Service is frequent and fairly cheap.

Midway is closer to downtown Chicago than O'Hare, and there are fewer stops on the CTA ride to downtown, so I'd give Midway the edge for convenience. It's about a 20-25-minute CTA train ride from the Midway CTA station to the Loop. It's about a 45-50-minute CTA train ride from the O'Hare CTA station to the Loop. There's no CTA station right by the Hyatt Regency Chicago, but you can connect to a bus or walk from a CTA station to the hotel.

In the end, I would pick the airport based on the best schedule and airfare.

Metra Rail is the suburban commuter train system. Metra doesn't serve Chicago-Midway. One Metra line provides limited, infrequent service to a distant corner of a remote parking lot at O'Hare. It's also possible to transfer from the CTA to Metra, but I don't recommend Metra for you. It doesn't provide any advantages over the CTA.

 

[dudspizza]

Thanks Horace. I have looked at so many pages of info on Chicago that I got the trains mixed up.

Are the CTA trains safe and fine to ride? No subway in Minnepolis, so whenever I think of subway I think of New York or other places that could have problems...... it is the northern Minnesota upbringing coming out in me....

Thanks.

Duds

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks Horace. I have looked at so many pages of info on Chicago that I got the trains mixed up.

Are the CTA trains safe and fine to ride? No subway in Minnepolis, so whenever I think of subway I think of New York or other places that could have problems...... it is the northern Minnesota upbringing coming out in me....

The CTA trains are "safe and fine to ride" -- but that doesn't mean that there's never a pickpocket, a stolen package, or a case of a more serious crime. As in any place where there are a lot of people (including WDW), it's a good idea to be alert and to avoid any behavior that that might make you a target.

Last year, an elevated CTA Orange Line train derailed, but the train did not fall off the elevated structure. Rescue workers had to use cherry pickers to remove passengers. Nobody was hurt.

I worked in the Chicago Loop for many years. Many of my co-workers commuted every day on the CTA, and never had any problems.

I just checked Wikipedia. The CTA had 195.2 million riders in 2006.

 

[NotUrsula]

To add to what Horace said, the closest CTA station to that Hyatt would differ based on what airport you came from, though they would be close enough together that there wouldn't be much point in changing trains in the Loop. The closest Blue line station (from O'Hare) would be Clark, the closest Orange line station (from MDW) would be State/Lake. Coming off on the Orange line you would have to carry your luggage down some stairs, if I recall correctly. (The Loop trains are on elevated tracks, not underground. the only underground train in that neighborhood is the Red Line.)

This is the CTA loop map, which shows the trains that service the Loop. http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/F2003D.html The Hyatt Regency Chicago is on E. Wacker between Michigan and Stetson, which is diagonally about four blocks up and right from the upper right corner of the colored Loop area on this map. The traffic in that spot can be rather nasty for pedestrians w/ luggage because it is the confluence of a lot of streets with a lot of traffic, so if you have luggage I would suggest taking a cab from the train the rest of the way to the hotel -- they are easily hailed in this neighborhood.

Your best transit bet pricewise would be to purchase visitor's travelcards in advance from CTA; they will mail them to you. These are good for unlimited rides during your stay on all the CTA trains and on the buses; they are not good on the Metra trains. Technically you can buy them from the airport station vending machines, but I've found that they often run out of them, so I recommend having them mailed in advance; one less hassle at the airport.

Note that there are actually 3 Hyatts in the Downtown/Loop/N. Michigan area. The one Horace and I have mentioned is the Hyatt, the big one at 151 E. Wacker. If you meant the Park Hyatt (at 800 N. Michigan) or the Hyatt Printer's Row (at 500 S. Dearborn) then the advice would be slightly different.

BTW, the Hyatt on E. Wacker is not close to anywhere where it is simple or cheap to grab snacks/drinks, and they charge bar prices for them. (The hotel has no vending machines for soft drinks.) You may want to do a convenience store run to a White Hen Pantry to pick up a few items for your room.

PS: We take the CTA orange line trains in to this neighborhood from MDW very often, and have never had a problem with anything worse than a somewhat smelly homeless person. The platforms are old in the Loop, and the stairs feel rickety, but the trains are efficient and not unpleasantly dirty. (Don't get the impression that they are spotless, mind, but they are not bad.)

 

[dudspizza]

Yes, I am talking about the Hyatt Regency at 151 E. Wacker. All of the families from our dance studio are staying there. With the $40 per day charge to park your car, we figured it would be not much more to fly once you figure in gas, wear and tear on the car, etc...

We will be spending a lot of our days at Navy Pier for the dance competition, at least Tuesday and Wednesday. Do you all suggest anything we should see on Monday or Thursday before we leave?

Thanks.

duds

 

[dudspizza]

Ok.... great info so far.

Next question... sounds like we may have to fly in on Sunday "just in case" the girls dance early on Monday. I see a Sleep Inn 1 mile from Midway and a Hilton about 4 miles from Midway. What is the area around Midway like? We don't really want to pay the $189/night for the Hyatt Regency for that night.... any suggestions on a hotel close to Midway (or ORD for that matter)?

Thanks for your help, my Chicago friends!

*UPDATE* I am getting a rate of $82/night at the Best Western Chicago West near O'hare. They have a nice pool and a free airport shuttle. It is in Elk Grove Park, IL. Any thoughts on this hotel or area? I can fly American for $93.10 plus tax per ticket, round trip. Good price, and my buddy told me he would rather be around O'hare if he had to stay a night... thoughts again?

Duds

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Yes, I am talking about the Hyatt Regency at 151 E. Wacker. All of the families from our dance studio are staying there. With the $40 per day charge to park your car, we figured it would be not much more to fly once you figure in gas, wear and tear on the car, etc...

We will be spending a lot of our days at Navy Pier for the dance competition, at least Tuesday and Wednesday. Do you all suggest anything we should see on Monday or Thursday before we leave?

It's a great city with spectacular museums and enough other things to keep you busy for a year. It's really a matter of what you and your family enjoy doing.

Read up about Chicago at http://www.choosechicago.com/

Next question... sounds like we may have to fly in on Sunday "just in case" the girls dance early on Monday. I see a Sleep Inn 1 mile from Midway and a Hilton about 4 miles from Midway. What is the area around Midway like? We don't really want to pay the $189/night for the Hyatt Regency for that night.... any suggestions on a hotel close to Midway (or ORD for that matter)?

$189 per night is an excellent rate for that Hyatt!

The area around Chicago-Midway Airport consists of industrial buildings, warehouses, railroad yards, and neighborhoods of small but well-kept homes. There's nothing to do around there without a car (except to hop on a CTA train from the Midway terminal to a more interesting part of Chicago).

The hotel district that's about a mile south of Midway is quite new. Essentially, it's a sea of parking lots with hotels popping up out of them. Many chains are represented. The hotels serve business travelers and tend to be over $100 per night.

Given the excellent rate that you can get at the Hyatt, I would recommend staying there Sunday. If you arrive in the early afternoon, you'll have a day to vacation in Chicago. From the Hyatt, you can walk to Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and to various other Chicago landmarks. Because you'll be there in the summer, there should be outdoor concerts and perhaps a festival in Grant Park. The are boat rides that leave from a few blocks west of the Hyatt.

You wouldn't have to move from one hotel to another, so Monday morning would get off to a more relaxed start.

Have fun!

 

[bavaria]

wow, how did I miss this thread about duds going to a dance competition?

I third all of Horace's and Ursula's advice. I don't recommend the Midway area for a Sunday night stay - having spent long periods of time there, it will be a major disappointment, seeing the downtown skyline in the distance (so near, and yet so far!)

I was going to say 'White Hen' but someone beat me to that as well!

And I agree - fly into the airport with the best fares.

Saw your update - if you are in Elk Grove, I was going to suggest a trip to the DVC centre (if its open by then) and Schaumburg mall - but will you have a car? and since its Sunday they close early. But that mall has all sorts of entertainment eateries, including a very good 'meat on a stick' place. (if I am recommending it as a veggie, it must be good! )

you may want to look at a car for just Sunday, if the parking is free in Elk Grove. That way you can get around a little that night, and return the car Monday. Sometimes you can even find a good rate dropping the car not at the airport.

 

[bavaria]

a quick search finds a car at ORD for $20 from many different suppliers for a Sunday night in July.

I would rent a car for that night, maybe eat at Woodfield Mall, or somewhere else interesting that night. Then you can drop the car Monday, possibly after stocking up on grocery items you might need for the week.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

*UPDATE* I am getting a rate of $82/night at the Best Western Chicago West near O'hare. They have a nice pool and a free airport shuttle. It is in Elk Grove Park, IL. Any thoughts on this hotel or area? I can fly American for $93.10 plus tax per ticket, round trip. Good price, and my buddy told me he would rather be around O'hare if he had to stay a night... thoughts again?

I'd still recommend spending Sunday night at the Hyatt, even it it's twice the price. I wouldn't want to have to take luggage onto a crowded CTA train to Chicago during the Monday morning rush. I really think you'll have a lot more fun on Sunday and a more relaxed Monday morning if you stay at the Hyatt.

To answer your question, the Best Western Chicago West in Elk Grove Village is quite a distance away from O'Hare, despite having O'Hare as part of its name. I was at a wedding reception there about 20 years ago. It's in a large industrial park northwest of O'Hare. I just checked TripAdvisor. The hotel's reviews aren't encouraging.

There are some very nice hotels that are actually near O'Hare -- but they'll probably cost you more than your Hyatt.

If you do decide to stay at the the Best Western Chicago West in Elk Grove Village anyway, I agree with bavaria's suggestion to rent a car. The hotel is about halfway to Schaumburg, which is loaded with shopping and dining opportunities. The only problem is that the mall will be closed Sunday evening (so the DVC sales center, if it's open by then, will undoubtedly be closed).

 

[dudspizza]

You know, gotta love an off topic discussion about Chicago eventually slipping in something about Disney.... ie, the DVC center in Schaumburg... lol

Thanks for all of your info!!!! I did purchase flights in to ORD for $86.65 plus fees round trip. Decent fares and the times were good. We will arrive on Sunday, July 8th at 9:05 in the am, so we will have all day to kick around. If the girls don't dance until Tuesday, we will also have Monday to explore Chicago.

I noticed a Holiday Inn in Elmhurst that has a water park in it for $149/night. DW is very budget conscious and wants to save some cash the first night. Plus, if I am reading things correctly, the Hyatt Regency doesn't have a pool, so the kids would like a pool on Sunday night.

Any yes, bavaria, duds is going to a dance competition! I look good in a tutu! That is what happens when you have two daughters...... you dance, sing, and act! No hockey players in my family! My youngest does like bowling, though, so I have hope there!

Happy Tuesday. State testing starts today in our schools, so there is a very serious tone in the entire school building.

Duds

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I noticed a Holiday Inn in Elmhurst that has a water park in it for $149/night. DW is very budget conscious and wants to save some cash the first night. Plus, if I am reading things correctly, the Hyatt Regency doesn't have a pool, so the kids would like a pool on Sunday night.

The a Holiday Inn in Elmhurst is way out in the suburbs. You're really not in a good position to explore Chicago from there. I guess you could rent a car, or you could rely on Metra rail service from downtown Elmhurst. You would be centrally located in the spread-out Chicago suburbs if you have suburban destinations in mind (and you have a rental car).

However, by the time you pay for a rental car and/or rail transportation and/or cabs and/or tips to shuttle drivers, you'll probably end up paying more than the great rate that the Hyatt Regency is offering to you. And you would spend valuable time moving from one hotel to another with your luggage.

I hope you'll think about these things. In the end, I guess I'm just saying what I would do if I were in your shoes. Obviously you'll do what is best for you and your family.

Congratulations on the good airfare into O'Hare.

 

[dudspizza]

The a Holiday Inn in Elmhurst is way out in the suburbs. You're really not in a good position to explore Chicago from there. I guess you could rent a car, or you could rely on Metra rail service from downtown Elmhurst. You would be centrally located in the spread-out Chicago suburbs if you have suburban destinations in mind (and you have a rental car).

However, by the time you pay for a rental car and/or rail transportation and/or cabs and/or tips to shuttle drivers, you'll probably end up paying more than the great rate that the Hyatt Regency is offering to you. And you would spend valuable time moving from one hotel to another with your luggage.

I hope you'll think about these things. In the end, I guess I'm just saying what I would do if I were in your shoes. Obviously you'll do what is best for you and your family.

Congratulations on the good airfare into O'Hare.

I think we should just come stay at your house, Horace! LOL Heck, there are only 4 in my family and maybe 6 more from another family!

I have only been to Chicago 1 time about 13-14 years ago. I had a buddy who lived in Wheeling and we stayed with him and went to a Blackhawks game at the old Stadium.... it was one of the last games there...

Duds

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm with Horace -- go on into the city as soon as you arrive, and PLAY!!
Soaking up central Chicago on a summer Sunday afternoon is an experience not to be missed; you can even go to the beach if you like. I'd check in, take the water taxi from Navy Pier down to the Museum Campus and dawdle around at Field, then wend your way back through Grant Park, take photos at the fountain and check out the bean, then shop a bit on the Mile before dinner. (Really, don't miss the water taxi; it's a great cheap ride with a wonderful view of the skyline, and MUCH nicer than the bus in good weather.)

If the Hyatt's price is too high for Sunday, then pick something else nearby, and just pack an overnight bag for Sunday so you don't have to re-pack to move. Using ChooseChicago I find that the Radisson on Huron is only $141 that night. HotRooms.com would probably also have a good rate in the neighborhood. Normally finding a decently priced hotel in the city on a summer weekend is a nightmare, but since you only need Sunday you have a good chance of lucking into a deal -- the weekend tourists will have left, but most of the business travellers will not yet have arrived. The convention calendar shows a number of events that weekend, but most of them are under 1000 attendees, though the largest is 12K attendees at the Pampered Chef sales meeting at McCormick Place. Just make your ressie soon so you don't get priced out.

 

[snowbunny]

Agree with all the above statements. Chicago is such a wonderful city...that is where you will want to be.
Last month my DD and I stayed in the Hotel Amalfi at Kinzie and Dearborn, it was fab
Our event was actually in the suburbs, we rented a car at O'Hare and drove back and forth...sort of a hair-raising drive but we had a blast and I was glad I insisted we stay in town so she could see downtown Chicago.
I got such a great rate on a United package that the car was virtually free...if you hadn't already booked your air I would suggest trying United Escapes, there are some great deals.

 

[BCV23]

Yet another vote for taking the great rate at the Hyatt and enjoying the city.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Yet another vote for everything Horace Horsecollar and NotUrsula recommended. We travel to Chicago almost every year for pleasure, education, entertainment, and fine food.

Travel on the CTA from and to the airport and around the city is easy. Chicago has outstanding public transportation options in rail, bus, and taxi service IF you stay in the city. We rented a car once and regretted it.

Chicago has nationally known museums, broadway shows, and world-class shopping. Food! Did I mention the food?

Give your family the opportunity to experience one of America's great cities. You'll be glad that you did.

 

[Mickdeb]

Good Morning!
Sorry about the barge, with such great info about Chicago, thought I would ask a quick question. DD and I are heading there on Wed.4/25 from NH. $29.00 Ding! We will be staying at W Lakeshore, flying into MDW.
If we take the orange line out of MDW, at which stop would we get off? Would we be able to walk to the hotel or to we need to transfer to get closer to walk? Or should we just take a cab from MDW to the hotel?
We will just have carry on luggage.
Thanks for any info.
Again, sorry for hijacking the thread!

Deb

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We will be staying at W Lakeshore, flying into MDW.
If we take the orange line out of MDW, at which stop would we get off? Would we be able to walk to the hotel or to we need to transfer to get closer to walk? Or should we just take a cab from MDW to the hotel?
We will just have carry on luggage.

With only carry-on luggage, it makes good sense to rely on the CTA Orange Line from Midway.

Use the RTA/CTA Trip Planner. Select Midway CTA as you starting point and enter the address of your hotel as the destination. The system will tell you how to get to your destination with public transportation. (Unfortunately, the system often produces needlessly complex itineraries involving multiple transfers with tight connection times; you might want to adjust the options.)

Another idea is to take the CTA Orange Line to the State/Lake CTA station and then to hale a cab for the final part of the journey. It will much cheaper and (depending on the traffic) probably faster than taking a cab the whole way.

CTA rail fare is $2 without a transfer, or $2.25 with a transfer, which provides two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding.

Again, sorry for hijacking the thread!

You didn't hijack the thread. You posted a Chicago transportation question in the Chicago transportation question thread. I wish more people would use existing, current, appropriate threads rather than starting news threads. Thank you!