How to get from O'Hare to Downtown Chicago...

[Scarpozzi]

I'll be flying to Chicago on Sunday. I'm staying about 4 blocks from the Sears Tower, so I figured I'd take the train and hoof it the rest of the way.

My question is does anyone know approximately how long it takes to get from O'Hare to downtown by train? Is the return trip usually slower or faster? I'll be flying back out on Thursday at 7:45 and will be in a rush to avoid missing my flight....just trying to figure what train I need to be on to make it in time for the flight.

Thanks-

-Scar

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Take the EL (orange Line IIRC). The trip is roughly 45 minutes. Return trip IIRC was a little faster.

*edit* Actually now I can't remember, but I think that might be from Midway.

 

[daveshel]

It's been a while but as I recall, it is about 70 minutes.

 

[Platypus]

On the Metra at the OHare transfer stop it's about 15-20 min to Union Station.. from there take Adams right to the Sears Tower.. not even a 2 min walk to get there.

edit: or did you want CTA?

Also, how long are you around, we should grab a beer or something


edit2: actually sorry, more like 25-30
http://metrarail.com/Sched/ncs/ncs_wkin.shtml

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Platypus
On the Metra at the OHare transfer stop it's about 15-20 min to Union Station.. from there take Adams right to the Sears Tower.. not even a 2 min walk to get there.

edit: or did you want CTA?

Also, how long are you around, we should grab a beer or something


edit2: actually sorry, more like 25-30
http://metrarail.com/Sched/ncs/ncs_wkin.shtml

I'll be there Sun-Thurs....but will be in training until 5pm each day... So I'll be limited to nights. I'll be staying in a hotel on Adams.

 

[Platypus]

Cool, where are you training if you don't mind? I've done a ton of them in the last few months
You can PM if you want

 

[Random Variable]

What hotel is four blocks from the Sears Tower?

 

[Scarpozzi]

The place is called Club Quarters of Chicago, Central Loop. Cheap and certified by the training place. They have wifi....it's all I need.

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
The place is called Club Quarters of Chicago, Central Loop. Cheap and certified by the training place. They have wifi....it's all I need.

You don't need a bed and a toliet?

 

[Platypus]

Forgot that stop on the Metra doesn't run on the weekends.. you'll want to do Blue line to Merch Mart then Brown to where you want to be.. prob jackson is quick and you can walk the rest.

Whoever said Orange must be thinking of Midway

 

[K1052]

The Blue Line takes about 45 to an hour to get the the Jackson stop (closest to your hotel).

Damn thing has been slow zoned since the subway derailment earlier this year.


CTA map: http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/2006D.html

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Forgot that stop on the Metra doesn't run on the weekends.. you'll want to do Blue line to Merch Mart then Brown to where you want to be.. prob jackson is quick and you can walk the rest.

Whoever said Orange must be thinking of Midway

The Blue Line dosen't stop at the Mart. First stop near the loop for transfer to the elevated is Clark and Lake.

 

[RollWave]

I miss the EL.

 

[eleison]

Take a $40 cab and expense it

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: eleison
Take a $40 cab and expense it

Depending on traffic at the airport and on the Kennedy, the train might be faster.

 

[thegimp03]

I'd take a cab. Last time I went that route my cab driver thought he was a Formula 1 driver and averaged 90 mph into town. He was weaving in and out of traffic like crazy. The trip felt like it took 15 minutes.

 

[lokiju]

IIRC it took about 30+ mins on the train plus whatever time it takes to get to the closet train stop.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I'll be flying to Chicago on Sunday. I'm staying about 4 blocks from the Sears Tower, so I figured I'd take the train and hoof it the rest of the way.

My question is does anyone know approximately how long it takes to get from O'Hare to downtown by train? Is the return trip usually slower or faster? I'll be flying back out on Thursday at 7:45 and will be in a rush to avoid missing my flight....just trying to figure what train I need to be on to make it in time for the flight.

Thanks-

-Scar

If you take the blue line train, which is $2.00, it'll take about 45-60min to get to downtown Chicago. The person who said the orange line above was thinking about Midway Airport. Edit: It's the same time frame going back. The train runs every few minutes during rush hour so you don't need to make a specific train, you just need to be there at a specific time.

I wouldn't bother doing the Metra. It adds a level of difficulty and is more money.

I live in downtown chicago, a few blocks from the Sears Tower. If you PM me, i'll give you my phone number and you can call me at any time with questions, now or when you're in chicago.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
The place is called Club Quarters of Chicago, Central Loop. Cheap and certified by the training place. They have wifi....it's all I need.

I've stayed at the Club Quarters on Wacker....it was a nice enough place, but the rooms were pretty small. Not a problem when you're hardly in them though.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: eleison
Take a $40 cab and expense it

Depending on traffic at the airport and on the Kennedy, the train might be faster.

Not only that, I work for the state so I wouldn't see that $40 for 3-4 weeks. Not a big deal to most people, but this Christmas is looking sparse. I need the extra coin.

 

[Brainonska511]

I know it took me 1 hour and 20 minutes via the Bus and two El trains to get to O'Hare from the University of Chicago. I'd say it takes about 20-40 minutes (depending on traffic) to get downtown from O'Hare and maybe 30-40 minutes by the El. The El will certainly be cheaper ($2) as compared to a cab (~$30-$50).

You can use the CTA Trip Planner to see how much time it will take to get to your destination via mass transit.

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I'll be flying to Chicago on Sunday. I'm staying about 4 blocks from the Sears Tower, so I figured I'd take the train and hoof it the rest of the way.

My question is does anyone know approximately how long it takes to get from O'Hare to downtown by train? Is the return trip usually slower or faster? I'll be flying back out on Thursday at 7:45 and will be in a rush to avoid missing my flight....just trying to figure what train I need to be on to make it in time for the flight.

Thanks-

-Scar

If you take the blue line train, which is $2.00, it'll take about 45-60min to get to downtown Chicago. The person who said the orange line above was thinking about Midway Airport. Edit: It's the same time frame going back. The train runs every few minutes during rush hour so you don't need to make a specific train, you just need to be there at a specific time.

I wouldn't bother doing the Metra. It adds a level of difficulty and is more money.

I live in downtown chicago, a few blocks from the Sears Tower. If you PM me, i'll give you my phone number and you can call me at any time with questions, now or when you're in chicago.

finally someone with some sense. 45 minutes to an hour is a good estimate. DON'T take the metra. and even if you could expense it, traffic is so rediculous that the train is a better option.

 

[Beller0ph1]

I'd fly into Ohare and take the Blue Line into downtown all the time. It's about 45 mins, costs 2 bucks, and you don't have to fight traffic. I love zooming down 94 in the blue line and looking at all those poor car drivers stuck in traffic.

 

[HardTech]

it's probably been said, but the Orange line takes you to/from Midway. You want to board the Blue Line.

Expect about 50 minutes on the train, but it will probably be about 35-40. From there, cab it.