Commuter Train Into Chicago
 

Can anyone give me some information about taking a commuter train into Chicago? I'll be driving in from Ohio, and I'd rather not pay a garage fee to park my car in the city. I'll be staying downtown and won't need my car while I'm there, so I just need a safe and inexpensive place to park for a few days.

METRA doesn't have overnight parking, or very limited. There is inexpensive parking downtown, which would be a lot more convenient.

I second the above. During the week, most spaces in Metra lots are leased. If you're staying in The Loop or along Michigan Avenue, you can park in the Millennium Garage for about $24 per day. Check www.millenniumgarages.com. If you're staying in River North, check the Sterling Self Park at LaSalle and Kinzie.

Depending on when you will be in Chicago, Travelzoo has several hotel options that include parking.

On another thread (an older one that is no longer active) someone made a comment about a train that comes in from South Bend and a big lot with inexpensive parking. Does anyone know anything about that?

The train runs from South Bend airport to downtown Chicago. It takes about 2 hours. There are cheap parking lots located around the airport.

http://www.sbnair.com/Passengers/SouthShore.php

and how much is the train ticket roundtrip??

memejs, from where in Ohio are you coming?

If the OP lives in Cincinnati, South Bend would be a little out of the way.

The OP asked about the South Bend option. Respectfully I assumed that s/he knows the difference between driving from Cleveland, OH or Cincinnati, OH, otherwise why even ask about the option?

Also, the R/T train fare is $21.50 and the least expensive parking option at the airport is $7 per 24 hours.

Would this be worth it for 1 night trip? Of course not, but if we're talking about 4-5 nights then the OP will save some ca$h. It's up to the OP to decide if the option is viable or enough of a saving to make it worthwhile. Even at $20 per 24 hours parking in downtown Chicago that would amount to $100 plus. With the train option, we're talking ~$50 total.

All I did was to answer the OP's direct question as to that particular option.

Allow the OP to decide if that is what he wanted and if not then ask what other options may work for her/him.

AA, not everyone realizes that there might be alternatives before posting their inquiries. It does appear from recent posts that some OPs might not be doing a lot (if any) research ahead of time before asking. Just hard to tell with so little information given.

For example, I know from reading this post (and forum) and other websites that visitors driving in ask repeatedly about suggestions on any number of METRA - and CTA - lots for overnight parking, when the huge majority of them do not allow it and haven't for a long time.

Even though it is not a commuter train, it might be that Amtrak gives them a better option with less driving. However, the Amtrak routes are pretty much only along the far north/northeastern and far south/southwestern areas of the state. Or they might be interested in taking another mode of transportation, such as a bus.

BTW, the OP said a few days.

When I mentioned Amtrak routes in specific areas of "the state" above, I was referring to Ohio, of course.

Here's another option. How about FREE? There are still a few Chicago neighborhoods like mine (Lincoln Square) that offer on-street parking without requiring permits. My thought is to park your car on a residential street for the duration and take the el (or even splurge & take a taxi) downtown. It is entirely feasible to do this - just depends on your comfort level.

3Z, at one time (some time ago), I had heard that parking permits were not needed for only overnight parking (not long-term, though) in Lincoln Square.

However, I used to work with a fellow who owned a condo in Lincoln Square. I seem to remember that he had to get one for a guest who was visiting. That was a year (1-1/2 or more?) ago.

I did a quick online search and see a number of relocation sites, realtor sites, apartment rental sites for Lincoln Square specifically mentioning permit parking and how to get the permits/tags for parking there.

Also wanted to mention that not only do you have to watch out for areas with permit parking only, as well as time limits, but also those days where there is street cleaning when the car has to be moved.

One caveat: if you decide to park on a residential street, take the street sweeping schedule into account otherwise risk a $50 fine. Find it here: http://www.ci.chi.il.us/city/webport...egoryAction.do

So it seems as though you would be most comfortable with driving as far as you can into the city and then parking the car for the time your staying downtown....

I would not suggest parking on ANY local streets unless most major streets have metered pay slip parking and most residential ones are tricky as to permits needed or street cleaning and such...

I would either park my car at MIDWAY LONG TERM parking(this is just 1 lot right across the street from the airport.... you can walk or be shuttled right to the door and jump onto the train.)http://www.midwayparksaver.com/?gcli...FR7yDAodflkRAA

and take the CTA TRAIN from the airport right to CLARK AND LAKE station downtown...You can buy the passes right at the entrance to the train and You would only need $5.00 on a transit card for the ride downtown and then back when it's time to leave CHicago.

From there you can probably walk to your hotel or at the most a 5 -7 dollar cab ride depending on traffic in the loop upon your arrival.

IF you want your car closer to you the MILLENNIUM PARK garages are still an option but could be costly depending on your budget...

http://millenniumgarages.com/

This option of the MIDWAY parking would be $9 a day and $5 for the train trip round trip total.
The other bonus of using the CTA Orange line train to get to downtown or back to the airport... They run all day and into the night .... You can travel between at least 6am until about midnight depending or where you board. So unlike the commuter trains a lot more choices for travel and the trip is only about 15 minutes or so from downtown on a good day.

Hope this helps.....

ex-princess it is true that permit parking exists in some neighborhoods/some parts of neighborhoods and not others. It seems less common north & west of downtown. I live sort of on the fringe of Lincoln Square (specifically west of (N) Western and, so far, there is no permit parking. And yes, as you wrote, a temporary permit is required in order to park overnight in areas where permit parking exists. That would not be a good option for memejs.

You can park in long term parking at OHare, and then take the airport overhead tram to one of the main terminals where you can catch the blue line into the city for about $2.50. Parking at the outer-most OHare lots runs somewhere around $10-15 per day, depending on the lot. I think the OHare parking web site will give you the kind of information you need.

There may/may not be similar parking that is cheaper (long term) at Midway??? Would this be better for you, since you are coming in from Ohio? Depends on which route you are taking, I guess.

3Z, I had thought that perhaps that might be the case.

With the current budget shortfalls, I am thinking the City of Chicago will address illegal parking in a swift and decisive manner.

I'm gong to throw out a suggestion. Drop your luggage at teh hotel and head out to Oak Park Illinois, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright houses and studio.

Thes parking garages there were only $10/day last year.

You have the train that goes downtown (30 minutes approx)just walking distance (5-10 minutes) from both garages (holly Court and Lake Forst ).

Just an idea. Also, the "EL" is a lot cheaper than Amtrak from Indiana. Plus, Oak Park is a great place to visit.

<i>the "EL" is a lot cheaper than Amtrak from Indiana.</i>,

that depends on how you look at it. If you factor the total cost, the train is much cheaper.

South Bend to downtown to Oak Park is ~110 miles each way.

Assuming the OPs car gets 20 miles per gallon @~$2.50 per, the extra driving will cost ~$40 R/T plus the train at ~$5 and you're looking at ~$45. Plus add $10 per day for parking.

The train from South Bend is $21.50 R/T total plus $7 per day for parking.

On paper your suggestion seems like it makes sense but in reality it's more expensive.

I am constantly amazed at the amount of work and inconvenience people will put themselves through on vacation in order to avoid paying "high" parking rates.

lincasanova, the "L" - even Metra - doesn't go into Indiana. The South Shore is not the "L" or Metra.

MikeT, what's the difference if you pay $50/day extra for parking or $50/nt. extra on the hotel room (except the taxes, of course)? Why would anyone who *negotiates* down the price of the hotel room (via Priceline, Hotwire, etc.) or gets a deal on a travel consolidation site then turn around and *drive* into the city? Makes absolutely no sense to me.

The cost of parking is not going to go anywhere but up. I visited some friends at the Swissotel recently and the rate was $52/nt. (plus tip for the valet). I anticipate that all parking garage operations will follow suit.

exiled.. i know the El doesn't go into Indiana. I was comparing it from oak park, versus some train from indiana to downtown. I should have said "than the Amtrak would be from Indiana". Sorry for the confusion.


AAFF.. good comparison. Now if there are a few people in the car.. this all changes.

Hope she can find a solution she likes. There certainly are enough ideas out there.

Then, there's always the Megabus!

<i>Then, there's always the Megabus!</i>,

that's the best suggestion yet. I completely forgot about that option. But that's assuming s/he is coming from one of the major cities, not from some little town 50 miles away in which case s/he would still need to park the car somewhere.

but as you stated, the OP has to come back and read all these suggestions and decide what s/he wants to do. Perhaps s/he already did, and we're just debating amongst ourselves :-D

We never heard from the OP again.

No problem, lin. I know that Metra shows the South Shore on their website for information, but Metra tickets aren't taken on the South Shore.

AA, yes. Wouldn't that be the case - the OP already made their decision 10 posts ago! :D

Anyway, there are two reasons why I think it's important that all the different options are discussed on these threads, even though the OP only is asking about one:

1) They may not know all their options (such as the lady from Michigan on the very limited budget who didn't even know of the South Shore) and

2) It helps all those others who just "lurk" here and read these posts. Maybe they'll post an inquiry themselves - maybe they won't. But it gives them a good basis to think about what they want to do.

And, I forgot to mention one thing which is pretty important for those who drive: If you drive a pickup, van with truck plates or a truck, city ordinance prohibits you from driving on Lake Shore Drive. You also have to be certain that you check the parking garage or lot's restrictions because they have them for height, weight and length of vehicle.

I saw a couple of posts on another forum for oversize vehicles where the drivers had anticipated they would use one of the less expensive lot/garage options - only to find out the day (or evening) before that they couldn't park their vehicle there.

If anyone is planning on using the South Shore in the near future, please note that there are going to be several upcoming weekends when service will be suspended between the South Bend and the Gary Metro stations. There will be no shuttle bus service between these points.

http://www.nictd.com/TempPDF/2009Wee...iceOutages.pdf

I have also read in a couple of local Indiana newspapers (www.nwitimes.com and www.chestertontribune.com) that a 2-week period is scheduled where all service will be suspended between these points (October 18 through November 6).

There is substantial work being done on the tracks, lines and bridges which necessitate this. Also, these scheduled suspensions may be affected by the weather.

So, if you are planning on using the South Shore, please make sure that you check their website (www.NICTD.com) for updates.

this may be long overdue, but I also look for means to avoid paying $50 a night at the hotel to park my car (i drive from Ohio or Indiana). The most convenient option for me is to go to the hotel, drop off my stuff and check in, then drive and park my car near the Lawrence red line stop (no permit required) and then take the El back to the loop... or usually a few stops north of the loop if I get lucky. I usually like to party in Boyztown.

If you don’t want to run out of time catching your flight just because of the hassle of airport parking, look for a parking that is near the airport entrance. But if you want to grab the nearest parking slot, you must come to the airport early. If you come early at the airport, you can have plenty of space to park, and you can choose the best and nearest spot you like.

This thread is 4.5 years old.
The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited come through Cleveland and Toledo every morning on the way to Chicago.