Chicago: Travel From Airport on New Year's Eve
 

I am arriving at O'Hare Airport on NYE at 7 PM. I need to get to Wrigleyville. I was hoping to take a taxi - is traffic "heavy" at 7 PM on NYE going from O'Hare to Wrigleyville? Thank you!

Hi, Grolier.

I wouldn't think traffic would be terrible that night. Chicago is pretty cold right now, and I suspect those hearty enough to celebrate at restaurants/bars will stay nearer home, i.e. those already in the city, will celebrate in the city; those in the suburbs will celebrate in the suburbs.

The taxi will cost about $35-40, I suspect, as this is what I pay to Lincoln Park, and if traffic is moving decently, then it will take about 30 minutes.

The Go Airport Express van is about $25, I believe, O'hare to your destination, and there's usually a $2 discount coupon on their website. The only caveat is that you typically have to wait a bit until the van can bring a few passengers into the city.
http://www.airportexpress.com/

If you're not too tired, and time is less of an issue (and money is), the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority subway) is a good option. From O'Hare, the blue line will take you into the city in about 50 minutes for a few dollars. If you dress warm, and aren't bogged down with too many bags, you can take the train to the Irving Park stop, then take the 80 bus eastbound (along Irving Park road, 4000 north) to Clark Street, which puts you about 5-6 blocks north of Wrigley Field and the Wrigleyville bars (at Clark and Addison/3600 north).

But not knowing where exactly in Wrigleyville you're going, hard to tell you exactly where to get off along Irving Park Road. Wrigleyville is a largish area. But you can estimate timing using the trip planner at the CTA website.
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel...p_planner.aspx

Hope you have a nice time in the city! Dress warm!

Thank you so much for your reply. To follow up: I will have two heavy large pieces of luggage and will be bogged down with a fake fur coat, boots, etc.

I called Go Airport and they said they would charge me $40 - one way - to West Cornelia ( Right off of Clark Street - zip code is 60657). If I am in a van I am stuck traveling around for an hour and a half - according to them. They "claim" traffic is heavy on NYE.

I can not get on a bus with my heavy cumbersome suitcases.

If I do take a train I need access to an escalator. Thus far I am leaning towards the taxi unless you feel that I may be "stuck" in traffic.

Many thanks again for any insights, advice, etc.

- Best

Hi, Grolier.
Ew... sorry about Go Airport. I had bought Groupons to use on it, now that I think on it, so my info. was terrible. There is a $2 coupon (special offers area) on the website... and the driver will expect a few dollars tip.

I think Go Airport is the best option considering what you need to carry and where you're going. Your driver will need to bring you near the Addison/Clark area... and those blocks immediately near that intersection, are very popular with bar hoppers on ANY weekend/NYE. A taxi would likely not be slow on the expressway from O'Hare, but once it needs to drive eastbound on Addison or Belmont, it will be very slow. The "stalling" in the taxi will rack up the cost--at least Go Airport would be fixed.

I wish I had first hand experience on this, but I find it really hard to imagine NYE will cause bad traffic into the city... there's nothing here that's equivalent to Times Square's "Ball Drop"... only the offerings at the bars.

If you were put off a bit by the Go Airport folks, I have to say I've had the same experience with their reps on many occasions (they are evasive about ETAs and comparisons to taxis... which I suppose makes sense)... but their drivers have been very nice.

Also, perhaps price the round trip option with your luggage.

HOpefully someone with traffic experience will weigh in.

And an fyi... if you are feeling energetic enough, and time isn't an issue (like 2-2.5 hrs), then the CTA does have escalators/elevators at O'Hare, and then, at Clark/Lake Station in the Loop/downtown, where you would catch either the 36 bus or the 22 bus (on Dearborn Street) northbound up through Clark Street to Cornelia. There is room for your luggage, and the driver should be fine to let you get on and situate your bags before you pay if you tell him your intent... they're not completely heartless, just so long as they know what you're doing. A quick "I'll be right back to pay," will do.

Best of luck! Wish you the least aggravation possible!

Hi. Just to follow up. When I arrived on NYE I took a taxi from the airport ( O'Hare) to West Cornelia in Wrigleyville. It was 7 PM. There was NO traffic and the fare came to $32.00 before the tip. This was CHEAPER than the van service and SAFER than taking a train by myself with heavy big luggage. It took less than half an hour.

Hi, Grolier.
Good of you to follow up! Glad to hear the taxi was the best option and you didn't encounter bad traffic.