I will be flying into ORD and will be staying at the Howard Johnson Inn, 720 N La Salle st.

I have looked at a El map and I need to take the blue line to Jackson, then change to the red line and take the red line to Chicago.

I will be tired after along flight from Tokyo. I would like to know if I travel by the El from ORD is there alot of walking to transfer from the blue line to the red line at Jackson Station. Does the station have a lift/elevator or will i need to carry my luggage up and down stairs.

Once at Chicago station how far is the Howard Johnson Inn from the station? Again, is there a lift/elevator?

Or, am I better taking the blue line El to a station and then taking a taxi from there, instead of transfering to the red line. If so, which blue line station should I get off at where taxis will be easy to get and that isn't too far from the Howard Johnson Inn. Are taxis in Chicago expensive?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

You can get off at the Blue line Chicago Ave station and transfer to eastbound bus which will put you right at the corner of Chicago and La Salle. You will be just few yards away from the hotel. You will have to climb few stairs from the subway to street level. I don't know if the Chicago Ave station has any elevators, but I doubt it.

The Blue Line station at Chicago does not have an elevator. The transfer tunnel at Jackson is about a block. The Red Line station at Chicago does have elevators and escalators.

If you are arriving M-F, you could also exit the Blue Line at Clark/Lake. The station exits into the State office building. Exit the building on the LaSalle Street Side and you can catch the Number 156 bus northbound at the corner of LaSalle and Lake. It will drop you right across from HoJo's.

If you'll be relying on public transit during your stay, you may want to consider a visitor pass. They allow unlimited rides all day. A 1-day pass is $5, a 2-day pass is $9 and a 3-day pass is $12. They're available from the vending machines at O'Hare, Rosemont and Cumberland. The macines accept cash and plastic.

Also keep in mind that if you're arriving before July 29, the Blue Line is not operating between Rosemont and O'Hare because of construction. You'll need to catch a shuttle at the bus center to take you to Rosemont. Allow for extra travel time both to and from the airport.

Thanks, AAFF and Citylghts

If you will be arriving in Chicago during July, the Blue line is not running to O'Hare due to track work. There is a bus shuttle from the transit center to take you to Rosemont and the Blue Line.
I would suggest a taxi.