Traveling to Chicago from Maine - Parking Advice Needed

[dawnsclassycupboard]

We will be driving to Chicago this year from Maine. We have done our home work and figured that between car rental and gas that we are looking at around $150 round trip/person. The question is parking??? To park at the hotel it is $40/day. Ouch. Have any of you found any inexpensive parking in the city. I know that we can park at home office but the hours that they bus you in and back out will not fit our schedule. Would we be better off to just park there and take a cab? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Check the train schedule. I am driving from NC but stopping in WI "on the way". Taking a train from Milwaukee will cost me $21 each way plus cab fare from the station.

But I have a question for you. How many of you are sharing the car? If it's more than 2, it's probably a wash to just park at the hotel. ($42 (or more) x 3 + cab)

 

[BethCooks4U]

We will be driving to Chicago this year from Maine. We have done our home work and figured that between car rental and gas that we are looking at around $150 round trip/person. The question is parking??? To park at the hotel it is $40/day. Ouch. Have any of you found any inexpensive parking in the city. I know that we can park at home office but the hours that they bus you in and back out will not fit our schedule. Would we be better off to just park there and take a cab? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Where did you see the times that the HO shuttle is running??

 

[dawnsclassycupboard]

It was in the registration section. You had to check that you wanted to pay $10.00/way and the times for wave one were something like 3-4pm on the
8th and then back to HO around 3 or 4 on the 11th. There was only an hour window. We are hoping to get to Chicago Sunday AM and don't want to rush to have to leave. I am not sure if you have already registered if you can go back and check times or not. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[BethCooks4U]

It was in the registration section. You had to check that you wanted to pay $10.00/way and the times for wave one were something like 3-4pm on the
8th and then back to HO around 3 or 4 on the 11th. There was only an hour window. We are hoping to get to Chicago Sunday AM and don't want to rush to have to leave. I am not sure if you have already registered if you can go back and check times or not. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Thanks Dawn!

Yep, those times are too tight for me on Sunday too. I want to be at the hotel around 11. The time would actually work on the way back though...

I drove one other time and the minimal schedule was the reason I didn't use it then.

Also, I don't think you can take a cab - I believe the lot is locked so you wouldn't be able to get the car in/out. Someone who has used it could shed more light on this though. I do have an email out to HO abut this and if they ever respond I'll post it.

 

[dawnsclassycupboard]

Thanks Beth!

 

[DebbieJ]

There is an outdoor lot near the Hilton that is $20 or less during the day. I've parked there the last two years without a problem. But you do need to go back and pay every day so your car doesn't get towed.

Where are you staying?

 

[mrssyvo]

I live in Lombard, IL (just a few miles South of HO) and you are welcome to park at my house, and I will not even charge you parking. You can take the train in to the city.

 

[DebbieJ]

I live in Lombard, IL (just a few miles South of HO) and you are welcome to park at my house, and I will not even charge you parking. You can take the train in to the city.

I'd offer the same, but there's no overnight parking on the street in my city. You'll rack up a few tickets.

 

[mrssyvo]

We can park on the street after April 15th, and I also have room for an extra car in my driveway.

 

[dawnsclassycupboard]

I live in Lombard, IL (just a few miles South of HO) and you are welcome to park at my house, and I will not even charge you parking. You can take the train in to the city.

That is so sweet of you. Thank you! We would love to take you up on your offer. Maybe we can email privately to figure out directions to the train station. Thanks again!!

 

[mrssyvo]

I can give you a lift to Metra- which is the train into the city. I do not mind at all, then you can take the free trolley to near your hotel- or catch a cab to the hotel, whichever works for you. During the Summer, we will take the Free trolley all over the loop.