KatieR

Any advice for car service vs. cab from O'Hare to the Hyatt Regency on 151 Wacker? Can anyone recommend a reliable car service? It sounds like the train would be much cheaper, but a hassle. Our flight is scheduled to arrive a little after 3:00 pm on a Tuesday.

Citylghts

You'll be arriving during the peak of the afternoon rush and if you take a cab or car, you'll spend much of your time sitting in traffic. A cab will likely be well over $50.

You can catch the train from the baggage levels of any of the domestic terminals. Simply follow the signs that say "CTA Trains to city." Exit at Clark/Lake and catch a cab from there to your hotel for under $10. Both the ORD and Clark/Lake stations have elevators & escalators.

For a cab, just use the taxi starter outside the terminal.

KatieR

Citylights, I was under the impression the train was, for some reason, a hassle from the airport. But your post has me rethinking this, appreciate the info.

fmpden

You also have hotel shuttles that is inbetween a taxi and the train. In part it is a question of how you define hassle. It is a very long walk from the terminals to the train station. If you have a lot of luggage that can be a problem. It is a long ride in, close to an hour but it will be much faster than a cab at that time. In the downtown area the train is elevated so the easiest way is to walk down to street level at State and Lake. Again luggage can be a problem. You are about four blocks from your hotel on Wacker but it is also a little uphill. It is walkable.

Chicago has an excellent transit system. If you are going to be moving around buy a transit card -- 1, 3, and 7 day cards are available. The third ride pays for the card that day. Even when we are in for five days the 7 day is worth it. And you can use it to and from the airport.

KatieR

Our hotel does have a shuttle for $18 each, not too bad. But if I'm understanding correctly, the train is fastest and we're likely to sit in traffic with a shuttle, cab or car service.

We won't have a lot of luggage, just carry-on. Right now I'm leaning toward planning to take the train & if we're tired when we get to O'Hare we can always spring for a cab.

Thanks for the transit card suggestion, we're planning to use the train while there so it makes sense.

HappyTrvlr

I always take the train to the Clark/Lake Station in the Loop. The a hyatt is a story walk east. You'll see the grd locked traffic from your train.
No hassle at all, easy in airport access to train.

HappyTrvlr

Correction: short walk to the Hyatt..

Citylghts

Checking the Hyatt's site, I don't see their own shuttle only Go Airport Express which serves all downtown hotels.

As others have said, Chicago has a large transit system and the Blue Line from ORD could hardly be easier. If the weather is bad, you won't be outside from the time you leave your plane until you reach Clark/Lake.

You can purchase transit passes from the vending machines at the rail station. Check www.transitchicago.com for info and a trip planner. The trip from ORD to The Loop will be about 45-mins. If you'll be using buses, there is a number at the bottom of each bus stop sign. If you text "ctabus {stop number}" to 41411, you'll get a message telling you when the next buses will arrive.

From the Hyatt, take the Number 146 bus southbound on Wacker W of Michigan for the Museum Campus. If you'll be heading to the Lincoln Park Zoo, catch the Number 151 bus northbound on Michigan Avenue at Wacker.

edeevee

I agree w taking the train. A few years ago I went on several trips to Chicago with groups of teens and young adults. More than once we booked hotels out by O'Hare even though the activities we wanted to do were in the city. The price of the rooms - and the ease of taking the train in - made it worth it. If all you have is carry on ... go for it!

PS I love the Hyatt

gardendiva

I used the transit system for the first time last fall. If all you have is a carry-on, there will be no hassle. The walk from the terminal is a few blocks but it is indoors. The transit pass machines are just before you get on the train. The train will most likely not have too many passengers at this point. I got off at State/Lake. This is where I thought the luggage may be a hassle but it was not. I waited to be one of the last down the stairs. Everyone was very polite and not pushy. I now regret all those cab rides from the airport in the past.

KatieR

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. This information is so helpful and we will most certainly take the blue line from O'Hare and get off at the Clark/Lake Station.

This forum is the best! I appreciate the extra info, all good to know for a first visit. edeevee, appreciate your positive statement on the Hyatt - I booked it on Hotwire & wouldn't choose such a large hotel on my own, but it looks fine & the location seems pretty central. The main purpose of our trip is to see a game at Wrigley Field. We have 3 days and hope to fit in as much sight seeing as stamina will allow.