Hi Deb, http://www.transitchicago.com/ I'm not sure if you have the link or not, public transportation options for Chicago. I will be using their trains from Midway in April. I'll let you know my thoughts on ease of use etc. with carryon luggage, as I am a novice at using public transportation. After your planned trip and using the metro, the Chicago el might seem like a piece of cake. TA has some good info in the Chicago forum. Enjoy your trip, ziggypop

ziggy - did you ever use the trains??

You don't have to go to the main terminal for pick-up by your hotel shuttle at Ohare. They do pick up at the international terminal (#5) if you call them. I do it all the time!

I have used the blue line several times, but never the orange line. I'm sure you will be fine. You are doing what I would probably opt to do after returning from a transatlantic flight. I'd want to lie down as soon as possible. Forget a taxi ride right after arriving, IMO. Get some rest, and yes, you will most likely wake early the next morning!

Sharing my 2 cents worth. I will not give you a definitive choice but build the two options:

O'Hare to Midway is a lot further than the mile breakdown. There are a lot of variables involved and it may take a lot longer than you think. If you arrive at 7 in ORD, most traffic will be gone and you can do it in about 40 minutes by taxi. If you don't have big expectations about food, I would get close to Midway and sleep in and reduce stress.

If you want good food. There are very good restaurants around O'Hare in the Rosemont hotel area - all of which offer shuttles.

If you are courageous and don't want to pay for a taxi, you can take the train system. Blue to orange and get there in about an hour and 20 minutes. Difficult with big bags since you will need to go up and down stairs.

Here is the if it were me advice. Since you are more concerned about being tired and don't have time to really take anything in that one night. Get over to the Midway area at night. There is no benefit in rushing in the morning and running into unexpected construction or traffic.

I'd rather "sleep-in" at Midway than start stressing and leave SUPER early from O'Hare the next morning. Just my 2 euro cents worth.

I've also lived and lately traveled in Chicago frequently and the traffic can be HORRENDOUS in the mornings.

I don't feel that we will be so rushed in the morning as the flight isn't until 12:30 pm. I know we will be up very early in the morning as we will still be on Paris time.

Still kicking things around.

Midway doesn't seem to have a big choice in hotels, especially with a restaurant for dinner.

You are right about the hotel assortment at Midway being less inviting than at OHare. Some of my faves at OHare (I do park sleep fly all the time) would be the Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Suites (not sure about the restaurant on-site), the Hilton Garden is fine (next to a new casino so plenty of food and entertainment if you'd want it), Hyatt (not Hyatt Regency) is also located next to that new casino.

Marriott Renaissance is a little further away. Not sure about their restaurant options either.

There is also a Crowne Plaza and an Intercontinental. I've not stayed at Intercon, but we parked the car there (not a park SLEEP fly, just PARK/FLY) and it looked very nice.

Used Priceline today and got Renaissance Chicago O' Hare Suites Hotel for $80 [$199 regular price]. It is close to the Blue Line so we will use the L to get to Midway. Thanks for all the input.

Good deal! The trains are easy and the best way to go in the morning.

Renaissance is a very good choice! There is some sort of train station almost right next door. I see people walking in that direction all the time, with whatever they need for a day in the city.

Hi Deb!
Interesting situation! Here's what the the Chicago Dept. of Aviation has to say about connections between the airports:

"The CTA is an economical mode of transportation between O'Hare International and Midway Airport but is also the more time consuming at close to two hours. The CTA Blue Line serves O'Hare (located at the lowest level of the Main Parking Garage, next to elevator center 4, and is accessible by pedestrian tunnels located in Terminals 1, 2, and 3), and the Orange Line serves Midway. Clark and Lake is the free downtown transfer stop between the two lines. For more information, please go to the CTA Website.

Coach USA offers hourly service between O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. for $23.00 for a one-way fare. Pickup at O'Hare at the Bus Shuttle Center and at Midway on the lower level. Allow at least 1 hour travel time between O'Hare International and Midway Airports. They may be reached at 1-800-236-2028 toll free or at 262-542-8861. For more information visit www.coachusa.com

Omega Shuttle offers hourly service between O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport from 7 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. for $45.00 for a one-way fare. Allow at least 1 hour travel time between O'Hare International and Midway Airports. They may be reached at 773-734-6688. For more information visit www.omegashuttle.com"

The bus is another option. Everything will be slow at rush hour! I have come into one airport and gone out the other several times, but always over a few days, and always having a rental car or a ride.

That's all I know. Have a great trip!

Thanks Dave. Since we have so much time in the morning, and
I know we will be up early, we are going to do the Blue Line to the Orange Line. It'll be an adventure. The $46 or $90 would be better spent on pastries in France!! With carry-on only, that shouldn't hamper us too much.

Bon apetit!

Follow-up. We did indeed use the "L" to get from our hotel near O'Hare to Midway.

I got the Marriott Renaissance on Priceline [on W. Bryn Mawr] and the Cumberland station was a 2 minute walk across the parking lot. We left at about 9:30 and made it easily to Midway for our flight. The train weren't crowded so no luggage concerns and the transfer to Orange line was simple too.

And we did use the extra $$ for croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolats!