Chicago Transportation Tips by TRimer

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Chicago has two airports- O'Hare and Midway. O'Hare while technically within the city limits is really NW of downtown Chicago. It has 4 major terminals connected by a monorail system. United flies out of Terminal 1. Continental, Northwest and US Air out of Terminal 2. Delta and American out of Terminal 3. Most international flights are out of the new international terminal (5) with the exception of Luftansia which leaves from Terminal 1. There is a monorail which connects the terminals to each other and to the remote parking lots.

It is best to take the EL (found in the basement of O'Hare) to/from OHare/downtown during rush hour. It is only $1.75 and it is quick (about 40 mins.to the Loop). A taxi will cost between $25 and $40. With traffic and weather it can take over an hour from downtown.

Midway airport which is SW of downtown has recently been renovated. It is close to downtown- about a 30 min. cab ride. Discount airlines such as Southwest and ATA fly out of Midway. You can take the Orange line b/w Midway and the Loop.

Taxis are abundant. You can go almost anywhere in the city for around $10. Or, you can take our clean, safe transit system (CTA) referred to as the EL for elevated trains.

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Website: http://www.flychicago.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The Chicago transit system is commonly referred to as the "El" or "L" which is short for Elevated Railway. There are a number of different lines. The red line runs between Howard and downtown. The Blue line runs from O'Hare to the Loop. The Orange line runs from Midway to the Loop. The Brown line runs around the loop and then to up to Kimball through Lincoln Park and Lakeview. The Green line runs downtown to Oak Park. The train costs $2.00 if you pay by cash or get a fare card (it is only $1.75 if you are using a Chicago Plus Card). Transfers are only $.25 (and you can do 2 of these within a 2 hour period of your initial trip).

You must purchase a fare card at one of the machines at a CTA El station. If you buy $10 worth you get a free $1 bonus. You can also get these cards at supermarkets (Jewel or Dominicks) and Currency Exchanges. They can be used on buses as well.

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Website: www.chicago-l.org

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: If you are staying downtown, it is fairly easy to find a taxi cab. Unlike cities like Denver and San Francisco, Chicago has an abundance of cabs at most hours.

Both distance and time determine your fare. Rates are a flat fee of $1.50, and 20 cents for each additional 1/6 of a mile. Additional passengers between the ages of 12 and 65 cost $1- but it is really up to the driver as to whether or not they add on this extra. They cannot charge you for baggage. There is a $1 fee for the taxi to go to/from one of the airports.

Based on the quality of service, tips are at the discretion of the customer. A cab ride between O'Hare Airport and Chicago costs approx. $25-$30. From Midway Airport to downtown the cost runs between $20-$25. You can also get a shared ride from the airport which costs about $15.

If you do need to call a cab, these are the most popular cab companies:

American-United Taxi -- (773) 248-7600
Checker Cab -- (312) 243-2537
Yellow Cab -- (312) 829-4222
Flash Cab -- (773) 561-1444

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: As a person who flys at least once a month, I thought I would make an attempt at providing a discussion on my take on O'Hare airport.

If you are flying United, most likely you will be flying out of Terminal 1. The terminal is divided into the B concourse (close to ticketing) and C concourse. To get to the C concourse you have to go underground thru a pyschedelic tunnel. It is quite a distance to get to C gates (despite the people movers) so leave yourself extra time. If you are flying long distance (California, Shanghai) or short distances (Detroit, Columbus) you will most likely fly out of the C Concourse. United also flies out of Terminal 2 (E gates) for its United Express flights. Regardless, you need to check in for all United flights in Terminal 1. It often takes 20-40 mins. to get your luggage from a United Express flights so better to check your luggage at the gate (yes, you can do this). If you are connecting, there is a free shuttle that runs during the day from gate C9 to terminal 2 (E3).

United has self-check in computers both in the ticketing area and in the causeway from long-term parking (carry on only). To check-in, use a credit card, follow the prompts and check bags if needed. You can even change your seats. On United, if you are checking luggage, you MUST check in at Terminal 1 regardless of what terminal you are flying out of.

The security line for Terminal one is in the center of the ticketing area. The priority line for Premier and above has been moved to the far side near the entrance to Terminal 2. However, they rarely have it staffed correctly so you end up waiting for the first class passengers with too much carry on to pass through.

If you are flying into Terminal 2 at O'Hare (check your itinerary), it is best not to check your luggage (they can gate check it) as it takes around 40 minutes for them to move the luggage over to the Terminal 1 baggage claim where all United luggage is picked up.

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Website: http://www.flychicago.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Anyone who has spent time at O'Hare (waiting for flights, layovers, etc) knows that finding good food can be hit or miss.

Terminal 1 has hands down the best food options at O'Hare. The B gates have the large Starbucks (right at the entrance to the tunnel leading to the C gates). There is a Wolfgang Pucks in the B concourse and a Corner Bakery, Berghoff Cafe and Billy Goat Tavern in Concourse C.

Terminal 2 is the home of fast food favorites. I try to eat before if flying out of this terminal. The selection includes McDonalds.

Terminal 3 has a Wolfgang Pucks as well.

If you are flying out of the International Terminal, eat before going through security as there are no sit down restaurants once in the gate area.

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Website: http://www.flychicago.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: One of the most popular questions that I see posted on the Chicago forum is whether or not you can take public transportation from O'Hare. Unfortunately, it is not always a cut and dry answer. It really depends on 1) where you are headed 2) how much luggage you have and 3) how quickly you want to get there. The El train that runs from the airport to the city is the Blue line train. This train runs fairly West of most of the neighborhoods on the Northside requiring one to take either a bus or a taxi from the El station. Depending on the time of day- some of these stops are not too safe. For example, as a woman I would not get off at Logan Square at night and wait for a bus to Lincoln Park. The Blue line El does go through Bucktown/Wicker Park/Ukranian Village so it is a good option for those destinations. Then it bypasses Michigan Avenue/Mag Mile (so not a great option if your hotel is there) and heads to the Loop. You can switch to another El train line at Clark/Randolph- and go back North to Michigan Avenue- but if you have lots of luggage and/or are short on time it is probably not worth it. Just as a guide- the train takes about 45-50 minutes to go from O'Hare to downtown. Then add on another 10 minutes on the Red or Brown Lines North to the Gold Coast, 20 mins. to Fullerton (Lincoln Park), 25 to Addison (Wrigleyville).

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Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA
Website: http://www.transitchicago.com/