Hi 3 people travelling arriving at night. staying in city near hard rock hotel.

i searched on posts and saw the train is 5$ per person which my
budget conscious friend will want to do.... and she'll say we will avoid sitting in traffic in a cab with a meter running.

My preference is NOT to lug a suitcase down stairs from the train, at night, and through the streets.

How much would you guess a cab will be, and what would you do, train or cab near 9 p.m. at night by the time we get luggage...

I'd cab it. A good guess at the cost would be $40 - 50. Most probably closer to the $40 end. More expensive than the train, but, frankly.I wouldn't want to be riding the train at night. Just my opinion.

I'm cheap (I mean budget conscious) like your friend, so personally I'd probably do the train. I felt pretty safe on the Blue Line riding as late as about 10:30 when I've visited (and I rode in the first car if I'm ever concerned about safety). I'd actually be more nervous walking from the train to the hotel late at night. My advise, tell her to give you the $5 and pay for the cab out of your pocket, so you'll feel safe and she won't grump the whole way.

The Blue Line is busy well into the wee hours. If you're staying around the Hard Rock, you can take it from ORD to Clark/Lake. Both stations have elevators and escalators, so there's no need to schlep bags.

The walk from Clark/Lake to your hotel is fine. You'll exit in the state office building, then turn right onto Lake Street. Nine or ten o'clock is not late. The Loop theatres are just beginning their second acts and there will be lots of people about going to and from restaurants, clubs etc. If you're still wary about walking about 6-8 blocks, you can easily take a cab once you exit the subway for around $10.

I was starting the same response as Citylights but was beat to it. I agree with Citylights. When you exit at Clark/Lake there will be cabs cruising by. We have done that a number of times so we are comfortable with it but you might not be.

You wouldn't be dragging a suitcase downstairs as you would get off the Blue line train from ORD or Orange line from MDW at Lake/ Clark and use escalators or elevators. A short walk to your hotel. Or take a taxi.

Just remembered, the only drawback would be the loooonnnnggg hike to the Blue line in O'Hare. Granted, there are moving sidewalks but it still is a long walk so don't be dragging more luggage than necessary.

Hi, thx.

A cab for 3 from the airport at 8:30ish should be around $45-50. (Don't do the Airport Express van, as there are 3 of you.)

With three people, I'd cab it. You shouldn't be sitting in bad traffic at night, and for a start of a trip, I'd urge you all to just get yourselves to the hotel fast and in comfort. (You can sort out the CTA cards and maps the next day when everyone is clear-headed and rested.)

But if you're feeling really energized and all right after the flight, and everyone is able to manage their 1 roller bag and purse/backpack, you can do the train.

It takes longer and will take a bit more thinking at the end of (possibly) a long day. In the airport, and from the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority = buses/city trains) you'll be going to, there are escalators/steps. You'll need to buy your CTA cards at the vending machines before you get on the train, and then there's the rush down the escalator because you'll be nervous the train is about to take off right away. It usually doesn't, but there are no 'departing at' displays to let you know.

It will be lively enough on the streets when you are in the Loop, getting off the train. But it will take a minute to sort out which direction is east (toward Michigan Ave/Hard Rock Hotel area).

So, in truth, if this is a leisure trip, I'd do your best to persuade your friend to taxi. It's just not a pleasant way to start a trip with arriving at night into a new city. If it were daytime, I'd ABSOLUTELY say CTA--100%. But in fall/winter, at night in a new city, taxi.

Have a great time in Chicago. Post back if you want to check your itinerary with the locals.

As an additional question for my own upcoming Chicsgo visit: am I correct in assuming getting a cab which takes credit cards into downtown is not going to be an issue? I somehow cannot imagine it would be.

No problem, Dukey. The airport cabs understand they must take credit cards as the fares are higher, and even the cab drivers in the city understand everyone uses credit cards these days. (The city cab drives may grumble as they prefer cash, but they all must take credit cards.)

Thanks for your prompt reply, ChgoGal. Much appreciated.

Forgot I posted this, and wanted to close it out with what happened.

Arriving late after a delay, we went to the cab line deciding the extra cost was o.k. HOWEVER we discovered there was some sort of neurological (?) convention in town and the cab line was shockingly long!!! like FOREVER long. So we ended up taking the train which was full even at the late hour. Our only "mistake" was not looking for a handicapped exit when exiting the train station....and we could barely get a large suitcase through the enclosed circular turnstile and had to then hoist bags up a ton of stairs!!!

Of course due to this thread I was 100% prepared to do either the taxi OR the train.... and proud that I already knew the station, and what the walk would be!!!