Chi-town crew!!!

[Gold Digger]

Hey, gang. Need a possible favor.

I am flying home on the 22nd of April with my oldest son for my best friend's wedding. I usually fly into O'hare and either my parents or one of my other good friends picks me up and drives me the three hours or so back to Galesburg.

This time, though, I am considering taking the Amtrak down home as there is a station in Galesburg that is about a 5 minute drive from my parent's place.

I was wondering if someone had the time to pick me up at O'hare and take me to Union Station for the train. I would cover your tolls on the 294 and pitch ya $15 in gas. I think my boy would get a kick out of riding the Amtrack and getting to see a little different part of Illinois than he usually sees.

Would greatly appreciate any help getting this figured out. Would like to confirm by the end of February so I can reserve my tickets on the train.


Thanks!!!

[AppleBonker]

If I lived a bit closer to the city I'd have no problem doing this for you. Unfortunately, I'm about an hour or so from O'hare

[Gold Digger]

No worries. Thanks anyway, man.

If you know anyone in the area, let them know about this thread.

[Encryptshun]

Unfortunately April 22 is a Friday, so it's a work day for me.

If you really want him to have the full experience, you should take the Blue Line from O'Hare, get off at Clinton, and then it's a short walk to Union Station (like a 5 minute walk). That way he'll get a good view of the city as well. The El trip from the airport downtown is about 50 minutes so you're good in less than an hour.

I'd also encourage you to buy your Amtrak tix as far in advance as possible, because there are limited runs and they tend to sell out quickly.

As you know, we have a crummy rail system.

[Gold Digger]

Chad, can you give me some more info on how to get from O'hare to Clinton? What's the Blue Line? Is it a train? If that's what I have to do, that would be pretty cool. I'll most likely only have a couple suitcases and a carry on to lug around, so it won't be too bad.

Worst case, how much would one of the taxis cost from O'hare to Union Station?

[VMPhil]

A Taxi to Union station would be between ~30-40 depending on traffic\ what time you are headed to the station. A taxi from O'hare to Hydepark (a few miles south of downtown) cost me $50. Id love to help ya out but as some one else pointed out its a work day so Ill be here in the office.

[Gold Digger]

Thanks for the info, and thanks for offering but not being able to. I know that it's a Friday, but believe it or not, flying in on a Friday is about $300 cheaper from Japan to Chicago. LOL.

I'll have something worked out in plenty of time. I am sure someone up there will be free.

[Encryptshun]

Chad, can you give me some more info on how to get from O'hare to Clinton? What's the Blue Line? Is it a train? If that's what I have to do, that would be pretty cool. I'll most likely only have a couple suitcases and a carry on to lug around, so it won't be too bad.

Worst case, how much would one of the taxis cost from O'hare to Union Station?

From inside O'Hare, you'll follow the signs for "Bus/Train to City (CTA)" or something like that. the Blue Line is an El train (it's actually a surface/subway train on your route, though) and the station is on the lower level below the arrival concourse. It's a terminus for the Blue Line, so you don't have to worry about getting on the wrong train -- they all go downtown and I believe they all stop at Clinton (but certain express trains may not -- if so they'll announce it to the passengers well in advance).

Check out this site for more info.

http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_ct ... e.aspx#map

Enjoy your visit!

[AppleBonker]

Just don't sit in hobo corner on the el. Unless you like feces...

[Encryptshun]

Hey, don't give away "The El Experience". You'll ruin it.

[Gold Digger]

I've been on the El. It wasn't bad when I was on it. Besides, there isn't much I haven't seen on a train next to murder. Sexual deviance, puking, hand jobs, groping, drunk businessmen passing out and sleeping in their own pee...yeah...I live in Japan.

[Gold Digger]

Does anyone know which station is closer to O'hare?

La Grange Rd. or Union Station?

[tigersharkdude]

Chicago subway/trains FTMFW. Thats a definite if you visit. Its a pretty cool experience, I was there for 5 days and road the trains and buses everywhere. It was really neat

FWIW o'hare has a train station right in the airport. You could connect from there to union station, and then union to your final destination ( )

[Dattebayo]

Union isn't even really close, La Grange is even further. You can look at a map and tell that, even? What gives dude?

[D1SR240]

What time are you flying in?

If you're flying in between 3 - 6 in the afternoon then the blue line would be faster than driving. Traffic on I-90 at that time is horrendous.
You can use this for directions using public transportation.
http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&f=d& ... e=7%3A51pm

I travel a good amount for my job. If I fly in to O'hare on a Friday afternoon I always take the blue line. Even though my company would pay for my taxi ride the blue line is just faster.

[Gold Digger]

Union isn't even really close, La Grange is even further. You can look at a map and tell that, even? What gives dude?

I don't spend a whole lot of time in Chicago. I only use it as my in-point when I fly home on vacation.

My parents or friends usually pick me up, but this time I thought I would try not to burden anyone with a 6 hour round trip drive and just take a train down to where my parents live.

I didn't expect things to be close, considering O'hare's location, but I didn't think it was going to be easier.

I don't know the public transport system very well, but if there is a bus/train that I can get to either Union or La Grange with little fuss (I'll be traveling with my 9 year old and a couple suitcases, so easier is better), I'll go that route.

I know enough about multiple routes to locations by living over here. Train lines can get super confusing over here with all the stations/lines in the Tokyo Metro area. So just looking for not a lot of trouble.

Plus, after a 12 hour flight that I'll get little to no sleep on, I don't want to have to deal with too much.

[bigbadberry3]

La Gange downtown (where the stop is) is quite nice, tons of food and the Brookfield Zoo is about 5 minutes from there or three stops down by train. It's easier imo to go from O'hare to La Grange as I've done it before but I'm sure O'Hare to Union Station would be pretty easy and probably about the same time frame as well.

[Dattebayo]

I don't spend a whole lot of time in Chicago. I only use it as my in-point when I fly home on vacation.

My parents or friends usually pick me up, but this time I thought I would try not to burden anyone with a 6 hour round trip drive and just take a train down to where my parents live.

I didn't expect things to be close, considering O'hare's location, but I didn't think it was going to be easier.

I don't know the public transport system very well, but if there is a bus/train that I can get to either Union or La Grange with little fuss (I'll be traveling with my 9 year old and a couple suitcases, so easier is better), I'll go that route.

I know enough about multiple routes to locations by living over here. Train lines can get super confusing over here with all the stations/lines in the Tokyo Metro area. So just looking for not a lot of trouble.

Plus, after a 12 hour flight that I'll get little to no sleep on, I don't want to have to deal with too much.

Whoa, I wasn't trying to get you on the defensive. I was just doing the since it was kind of a Google question. But I've been there and I liked the walk from Union better...

[Encryptshun]

Neal, again, you will board the blue line train inside the airport itself (there are signs that say "Bus/Trains to City -- CTA" all over the arrival concourse. The blue line is the only line that stops at O'Hare, and they only go one way out of O'Hare (which is toward downtown). You'll want to get off at Clinton (or LaGrange) and from there it's a 5-minute walk (basically across the street) to Union Station where you can catch your Amtrak. No muss, no fuss.

O'Hare to Clinton is about 50 minutes on the train, and it'll cost you like $2.00 each.

[Gold Digger]

Ok...I guess I just didn't realize exactly how easy it was and was hoping that my trip wouldn't be such a long one. But, still, I get to chill for a couple hours on the train. Haven't been on an Amtrak since I was in Jr. High.

Am I allowed to take drinks/food on the train? Thinkin a 6er of beer would be a good way to kill three hours...lol.

[EZcheese15]

Just curious, but is it really that much more to fly into Moline than Chicago? I would think that even for another couple hundred dollars, Moline would be a hell of a lot more convenient than flying into Chicago.

[Encryptshun]

Not a bad idea, Torry, but downtown Chicago could be a memorable experience for the kids. Moline? Not so much...

[EZcheese15]

Not a bad idea, Torry, but downtown Chicago could be a memorable experience for the kids. Moline? Not so much...

I would understand that if this was the first time the kids have been to Chicago. But it's not. Neal flies into Chicago every time he comes home.

[Encryptshun]

Gotcha. I thought earlier he'd said it would be "cool" to take the El downtown. 2 + 2 = 5, I guess.

[Gold Digger]

So...lookin like taking the Amtrak may not be an option.


My flight gets into O'hare at 4:05pm, and the last train out of Union Station that can get me to Galesburg is at 5:55pm. La Grange station's last train is 6:14pm.

I am figuring that once I get off the plane, get through immigration, get my luggage, get through customs, transfer from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2 for the Blue Line, it's gonna be close to 5pm.

Even if I get the 5pm train to Clinton, it gets me there at 5:46pm. That gives me 9 minutes to get to Union Station and get to the train. Not thinking that's enough time.

Damn...

[Encryptshun]

Welcome to Amtrak. The worst passenger rail system this side of India.

[Gold Digger]

Meh...not a big deal. I can probably do the trip Galesburg to Chicago when I fly home.

Thanks for all the help/info, though, gang. Much appreciated.