How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Chicago?

[kaseydee]

I am flying in by myself & wondering how everyone gets from the airport to the hotel. Do you take a taxi? I have always had someone there to pick me up when I've flown into Chicago. I am coming into Midway & staying at either Hilton or Palmer house. The people I am staying with may change hotels.

 

[DebbieJ]

The Orange line train is simple and only $2.

 

[sk8rgrrl99]

Some hotels have a shuttle that will pick you up for free.

 

[Addie4TLC]

The Orange line train is simple and only $2.

Do you know what time that runs? I get there at 4:50AM.

 

[DebbieJ]

Do you know what time that runs? I get there at 4:50AM.

I'm pretty sure it runs every 15 mins. If you're on a weekday you'll have no problem b/c that's the start of the daily commute.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Do you know what time that runs? I get there at 4:50AM.

Good Lord Woman! Afraid of being late?

 

[chefann]

Wait. There's a 4:50 am now? When was that added to the day?

 

[Kathy's_Kitchen]

Wait. There's a 4:50 am now? When was that added to the day?

I think that must be only in some parts of the country....

Does that Orange line run from O'Hare too?

 

[Addie4TLC]

Good Lord Woman! Afraid of being late?

That was the cheapest we could find (direct flight) $396. The Director's event is that morning so I had to be early. I better get some sleep on the plane or I will be useless.

I was just concerned that the line didn't start until later on in the morning. That's great, we usually all share a taxi but only one of my girls is going with me.

Thanks Debbie!

 

[BethCooks4U]

The hotels use a shuttle service company (don't know their hours) but it's like $22 one way and $40 round trip (those are estimate amounts I can't find the sheet I wrote them on - duh). If you call the hotel they will give you the number for the shuttle company.

 

[redsoxgirl]

Wait. There's a 4:50 am now? When was that added to the day?

I never knew it existed until I got pregnant!! Apparently there's also a 4:10am since that's when I have to wake up to pee now!

 

[kaseydee]

Thanks so much Debbie for the Orange line info. Now what street do I get off at? There are no address on the paperwork that I could find for the hotels. Plus is anyone else getting into Midway around 12:30 Wed that would want to ride the train together for buddy support? I might look like a good target for someone not so friendly.

 

[DebbieJ]

I think that must be only in some parts of the country....

Does that Orange line run from O'Hare too?

From O'Hare it's the Blue line.

 

[DebbieJ]

Thanks so much Debbie for the Orange line info. Now what street do I get off at? There are no address on the paperwork that I could find for the hotels. Plus is anyone else getting into Midway around 12:30 Wed that would want to ride the train together for buddy support? I might look like a good target for someone not so friendly.

I recommend everyone interested in taking the trains check out Chicago Transit Authority | 1-888-YOURCTA. They have a Trip Planner right on the front page.

I'm sure if you call the hotel and ask for directions from the Orange line (Midway) or Blue line (O'Hare) they'll be able to tell you.

 

[Kathy's_Kitchen]

Deb,Thanks so much for the O'Hare info! I'm going to check it out right now.Kathy

 

[chefann]

There are no address on the paperwork that I could find for the hotels.

If you go to the hotel's parent company corporate site, you can usually look up their street address so you can plug it in to other sites.

 

[smspamperedchef]

Do the CTA all the time! Very convenient and CHEAP! Two things I like about it!

 

[Cassie1037]

Shuttle was great for me. I flew in after midnight and wasn't wanting to take blue line or have to walk a minimum of 2 blocks. It's just not safe, ya know?!

 

[raebates]

I never knew it existed until I got pregnant!! Apparently there's also a 4:10am since that's when I have to wake up to pee now!

I could have told you that one existed. That's the time I get up each morning.

I know. I know. I'm weird. Trust me, that's just one of many, many ways.

 

[Addie4TLC]

So it is safter at around 5:30 or so (after picking up luggage etc.) than midnight?? Muggers don't get up that early do they?

 

[BethCooks4U]

Not to strike fear in anyone but either last year or the year before I ran into two different people who were as they put it "mugged" on the train. One of those pickpocketed was a guy! And both happened during the day (not early morning or late evening/night).

I would NOT travel the train alone any time. It's not worth the savings. Take a shuttle or cab especially if you are alone. You have a suitcase and other travel red flags that those people are looking for.

Now I know you Chicago people are going to say how safe it is and I am sure it is relatively so. I am just relating information from two very distressed consultants that I met. Two out of thousands. You make your own decisions but personally, two is enough for me to spend the extra money and feel safer.

 

[DebbieJ]

So it is safter at around 5:30 or so (after picking up luggage etc.) than midnight?? Muggers don't get up that early do they?

The morning is the daily commute crowd so you should have no problems.Take this from someone who will be riding the trains by herself on Friday (meeting DH downtown for dinner) and then again with my 4 yo son next Weds (going to Taste of Chicago).

 

[cathyskitchen]

The only time I rode the train from the airport was when I travelled to Chicago with one of my recruits who was born and raised in Chicago and knew the subway system (and streets of Chicago once you get off) well. I had also been to conference 2 years in a row prior, so I was pretty familiar with the city by then, too. If you're not comfortable riding public transit by yourself, or having to lug all of your luggage from the train stop to your hotel, I would definitely suggest a shuttle. They're the better option over a taxi, which I did one year when I flew in by myself. The taxi was expensive and scarier than the subway!! LOL! Good luck!

 

[Addie4TLC]

The morning is the daily commute crowd so you should have no problems.

Take this from someone who will be riding the trains by herself on Friday (meeting DH downtown for dinner) and then again with my 4 yo son next Weds (going to Taste of Chicago).

Okay, thank you. Los Angeles is new to trains (only a few years since we've had them and in "da hood" they can be pretty scarry), I have only been on it a few times. Some interesting people get on but I'm used to it. I will see what my consultant wants to do and we'll play it by ear.

Thank you all for your comments, it will help once we get there. Maybe there will be lots of consultants doing the same thing and we can put the PC beat down on any mugger that wants a peice of this.

 

[chefann]

There are some tips you can take to protect yourself from muggers and pickpockets (2 different things): be aware of the people around you; never take your eyes off your things; don't give away the location of your wallet by reaching for it (that's how pickpockets know where to go); don't wear flashy jewelry or flash electronics, etc... If you are at all nervous, spend the extra bucks and take a cab.

 

[Addie4TLC]

There are some tips you can take to protect yourself from muggers and pickpockets (2 different things): be aware of the people around you; never take your eyes off your things; don't give away the location of your wallet by reaching for it (that's how pickpockets know where to go); don't wear flashy jewelry or flash electronics, etc... If you are at all nervous, spend the extra bucks and take a cab.

I agree. They can smell the fear in people. I look at people in the eye and give them the Dirty Harry stare down, it has worked for me all of these years living in Los Angeles.

 

[DebbieJ]

Oh honey, Chicago has NOTHING on L.A. You will be fine.Take this from someone who used to live in L.A. and worked in Van Nuys, of all places!

 

[pjpamchef]

You might check, I'm not sure it runs quite that early. I have taken the L to and from airports (both midway and O'hare) for the last 4 years and felt perfectly safe. However, I probably won't commin in this year as we land at midway around 10pm. I think we're going to reserve a shuttle on Consultants corner. One thing I did last year and it was fabulous, you could take your bags to McCormick on the last day and they had a airlines check in. We then took the L to Ohare with only our carry-on with us!!

 

[DebbieJ]

The first weekday Orange Line train is at 3:55 a.m. She'll be fine.

 

[dannyzmom]

Can any of you Chicago natives tell me what train line one would take from O'Hare to Palmer House?