Chicago Transportation Tips by Paulie_D

Free Trolleys Trolleys (some are FREE) Review

Chicago's Free Trolleys offer service to some of the city’s most popular museums, shopping destinations and visitor attractions.

Trolleys run on four routes, connecting downtown CTA and Metra rail stations to the Art Institute and Museum Campus, State Street and Michigan Avenue shopping, and Navy Pier, with many stops in between.

The routes interconnect and each trolley has a clear sign indicating which route it travels.

Generally, trolleys are every 20 minutes.

BEWARE, there are a number of trolley companies operating in Chicago so ensure that you are standing at a marked Trolley stop and that the trolley clearly states that it is a Chicago Free Trolley.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

Trains & Buses CTA (city trains & buses, the EL) Review

A cheap and easy way to get around the Chicago is by the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus and train network.

Cash fares are $1.50 but a better alternative are Visitors Passes.

$5 for a 1-day pass, $9 for 2-days, $12 for 3-days & $18 for a $5 day pass.

I personally bought a 2-day pass and had no trouble using it on both buses and trains.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 1.888.968.7282

Type: Train

Website: http://www.transitchicago.com

Shuttle - Continental Airport Express Airport Shuttles Review

I found this company after some helpful VT'ers responded to a query in the Forum.

I booked a one-way trip from O'Hare to my hotel ($21) via their web based rservation service and was pleasantly suprised not to be asked to pay up-front.

On arrival at O'Hare, I found my way to their booth outside Terminal 5. It's was't very well marked and I had to check to make sure I wasn't in the wrong place but the attendant confirmed that I had found them.

I said that I had made a reservation but no effort was made to check this, he merely wanted to know whether I had already paid. When I said not, he stated the price and I paid.

After a 20 minute wait, the shuttle van arrived and the other customers and I were loaded in.

You don't really need details of the journey except to say that the driver knew his way around and was polite and happy to talk to visitors. He confirmed that a taxi would have cost at least twice the price of a shuttle.

To summarise, the operation seemed a little slipshod & disorgained but, overall, I have no complaints. I would recommend

Mode: TO

Type: Other

Website: http://www.airportexpress.com