I%26#39;m going to be in Chicago in early May and plan to spend the first few nights in a hotel/motel, the rest with family in an outlying NW neighborhood. I%26#39;m on a limited budget and find nearly all of the hotels in the Loop, River North and Lincoln Park to be too expensive. I have found a few places that are more reasonable ($60-$90 night) on the North side (from around 5900N to 7000N not far from the lake). But it doesn%26#39;t appear there%26#39;s any good way to get to them from O%26#39;Hare other than by city bus or cab.
Or is there some other option (barring taking the Blue downtown and then backtracking north on the red, purple, or brown lines)? I%26#39;m from L.A. and don%26#39;t look forward to taking any amount of luggage on the El. Even if I stayed in the Loop or River North, I%26#39;d probably opt for the GO Airport Express.
Any northside transportation from O'Hare besides buses?
There are no good crosstown options. This bus - pacebus.com/sub/schedules/search_results.asp - will get you from ORD to downtown Evanston. Check rates at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Have you considered Hotwire or Priceline?
Any northside transportation from O'Hare besides buses?
If you are going to spend time in Chicago, it will save you money (even if the hotel is more expensive to start with) and time to stay closer in the city and not in Evanston. Cabs between Evanston and the Loop are 50 each way.
Train fare between Evanston and downtown is $2.25 - about 60 minutes each way.
Thanks, all, for the advice. Based on it, I%26#39;m tempted to opt for accommodations in River North or LIncoln Park at this point and try my luck with Priceline (which has worked out well in the past, albeit in smaller areas). Either that, or rent a car and stay in a suburb. But that can be a headache for getting into the city, depending on the time of day. Plus, there would be parking issues and yet more hassle getting in and out of 0%26#39;Hare.
A few more questions:
Isn%26#39;t the PACE system primarily for disabled users, or are the fixed routes open to all travelers?
How long does it usually take to receive by mail a CTA/PACE pass bought over the Internet (I%26#39;m leaving 4/29). The Website says 10 business days -- a realistic claim? If I don%26#39;t order a weeklong pass on the Net, where at O%26#39;Hare where I can buy a pass (assuming I don%26#39;t rent a car)?
Are there any El station closures of which current visitors should be aware?
';Isn%26#39;t the PACE system primarily for disabled users, or are the fixed routes open to all travelers?
How long does it usually take to receive by mail a CTA/PACE pass bought over the Internet (I%26#39;m leaving 4/29). The Website says 10 business days -- a realistic claim? If I don%26#39;t order a weeklong pass on the Net, where at O%26#39;Hare where I can buy a pass (assuming I don%26#39;t rent a car)?
Are there any El station closures of which current visitors should be aware?';
Pace bus routes are open to all travelers. They offer paratransit services as well.
IMO - it%26#39;s a little too close for the 10 day window to get your pass by mail. You can purchase it at the O%26#39;hare blue line station. No closures to be concerned about. www.transitchicago.com has current details.
I don%26#39;t think staying in the motels from 5900 to 7000 north is a good idea, really. Stay in the RiverNorth or LIncoln Park area. Depending on where your hotel is, you can get to them by a combination of the Blue Line and a bus, don%26#39;t necessarily need to go all the way downtown. I have gotten myself home that way, on the far north side of Chicago. Pace buses are for eveyone, not the same as the paratransit buses. I believe there is one that goes from downtown Evanston to O%26#39;Hare, from there you take a free shuttle into the airport itself (the Pace bus stops at one of the economy lots). Have to watch the times, however. Let us know when you pick your hotel and I%26#39;m sure we can tell you your different options. GoAirportExpress tickets can be purchased at the airport, and all the transit passes can be purchased at the BlueLine stop at O%26#39;Hare as well.
hotels from 5900-7000 North within Chicago city limits are not advisable. All of them, with the exception of Heart o chicago, seem to be quite janky and probably downright dangerous.
Again, thanks everyone for your advice. I%26#39;m taking everything into consideration.
A few follow-up questions:
1) Is the Purple line service from Howard into downtown Evanston 24/7, like the Red line?
2) Late in the evening (after 11:00), how often do Blue and Red line trains usually run? I know I can look up schedules, but those schedules are rarely reflected in reality.
3) Current safety of blue and red line trains later in the evening?
4) Heart o%26#39; Chicago and the Super 8 on Sheridan Rd. in Rogers Park were two of the less expensive options. I%26#39;ve also found one or two B%26amp;B%26#39;s in the Edgewater area (House 5863). Any experiences with these establishments -- beyond the widely varying comments, which I%26#39;ve learned to take with a few grains of salt. (I%26#39;ve stayed at perfectly adequate places elsewhere that other travelers have trashed in their reviews.) Hotel Felix and Inn of Chicago are two options in River North.
FYI, Ideally, I need a location rather equidistant to all of my needs over a short period of time: gay nightlife, ease of meeting up with family in Forest Glen during the day, being able to get into the Loop or River North without any great hassle.
';1) Is the Purple line service from Howard into downtown Evanston 24/7, like the Red line?
2) Late in the evening (after 11:00), how often do Blue and Red line trains usually run? I know I can look up schedules, but those schedules are rarely reflected in reality.
3) Current safety of blue and red line trains later in the evening?
4) Heart o%26#39; Chicago and the Super 8 on Sheridan Rd. in Rogers Park were two of the less expensive options. I%26#39;ve also found one or two B%26amp;B%26#39;s in the Edgewater area (House 5863). Any experiences with these establishments -- beyond the widely varying comments, which I%26#39;ve learned to take with a few grains of salt. (I%26#39;ve stayed at perfectly adequate places elsewhere that other travelers have trashed in their reviews.) Hotel Felix and Inn of Chicago are two options in River North.
FYI, Ideally, I need a location rather equidistant to all of my needs over a short period of time: gay nightlife, ease of meeting up with family in Forest Glen during the day, being able to get into the Loop or River North without any great hassle.';
1. No. You will take the red line.
2. www.transitchicago.com has accurate schedule information.
3. They%26#39;re fine. Ride in the first car with the train operator for added security.
4. As noted previously, the properties along Sheridan Rd speak for themselves. We do not recommend them.
5. Red line to Belmont. Boystown runs along Halsted, south of Belmont. Hotel Felix is a new property with some good deals. Forest Glen is not convenient if you%26#39;re staying along Sheridan Rd.
I did criminal law defense for many years - had cases from the motels along Sheridan Rd. more often than not - used a lot for ';partying';. Don%26#39;t recommend them - I live a little to the west of them and I wouldn%26#39;t stay in them. Can%26#39;t speak to the B%26amp;B%26#39;s. Recommendation is still to stay Loop/River North. Forest Glen can be gotten to via public transit although late at night that would be more problematic, depending on where in Forest Glen you are going. If downtown is not an option then Evanston is a better bet than Sheridan Rd. Let us know what you decide and we can help you with the transit options. Due to not having a car for awhile, I have become pretty versed with the public transit options for the areas you are talking about.
