I need to get from O'Hare to the Residence Inn on N. Dearborn next week. Is there a cheaper way than a taxi that is not too complicated? Thanks!!!

You can take the Blue Line to Clark and Lake. Walk one block north, cross the river, walk another block north, turn right, walk one block and you're there for $2.25 per person.

Thanks!

The Blue Line is a train that runs from OHare into the city. The cost is about $2.50. To find the blue line station, follow the signs to the hotel shuttle station. The building is basically a parking structure next to OHare. It's a little bit of a walk (all inside), but the signage to get you there isn't too bad.

what about o'hare to Residence inn on E.Walton? Do we have to make a change?
How long is the ride?

The single fare for CTA trains is $2.25. You can purchase a 1-day pass that allows unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses inside the O'Hare Hilton for $5.75. Three-day passes are available from the vending machine at the rail station for $14. The machine accepts only debit/credit cards.

To reach the rail station, follow the signs from the baggage claim level that say "CTA Trains to city." The station is under the Hilton and the trip into the city takes 45-60 minutes.

Lovemykids, you have several options that depend on who's traveling and when.

Option 1: Take the Blue Line to Jackson and connect to the Red Line toward Howard. Exit at Chicago Avenue and walk 3 blocks east to Michigan, then 3 blocks north to Walton. The Chicago station has elevators and escalators. However, there has been construction in the Blue Line tunnel between Clark/Lake and UIC/Halsted on many weekends from about 10 pm Friday through the wee hours on Monday. So if you're arriving on a weekend, this won't work.

Option 2: Take the Blue Line to Clark/Lake and grab a cab from there to the hotel. It should only be a few dollars. Clark/Lake also has elevators and escalators.

Option 3: Take the Blue Line to Monroe. At the corner of Monroe and Dearborn, catch the northbound Number 151 bus. It will drop you at the corner of Walton and Michigan and the hotel is 2 blocks east. You'll have to walk the stairs to street level.

There is a trip planner and maps at the CTA site www.transitchicago.com.

Thank you Citylights, we are arriving at about 4 on Friday and leaving 3 on Monday
Would we be better taking a cab from the airport except for the cost? we are five people 2 adults and 3 teens.

As long as you don't mind a bit of a walk, your best bet at that time of day would be Option 1 on the L/Subway. A cab from the airport during rush hour would sit in traffic while the meter ticks. You all couldn't fit into one cab so even if you were to hire a limo, you you'd still have the traffic issue.

The work on the Blue Line doesn't begin until late evening and shouldn't affect your trip from the airport unless your flight is very, very late. Even so, the last stop from O'Hare would be Clark/Lake, so you'd just have to make a minor adjustment.

O'Hare is the end of the Blue Line, so you'll have no difficulty finding a seat when you board. Just don't block aisles or extra seats with your luggage. The train at 3 pm on Monday will be a bit crowded, but you should be ok. Again, just be consciensious with your luggage. Everyone here is used to dealing with bags and carts on the trains.

Three-day passes would be a wise investment. The short yellow machines sell them. (The tall blue/chrome machines sell pay-per-ride cards.) The cards are good for 72-hours from the first use.

The website for Residence Inn on Dearborn says that the subway stop in the Grand Ave Red Line. Where do I switch from the Blue Line from O'Hare to the Red Line??? Thanks!

> Where do I switch from the Blue Line from O'Hare to the Red Line?

On the URL listed above, you will find this image

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...tatrainmap.png

showing the train routes, as well as this PDF

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...eing_guide.pdf

showing Downtown. You can change from the Blue Line to the Red Line at Jackson Station, but the connection is a fairly long one -- not easy if you have lots of luggage. It may well be easier to instead exit the Blue Line at Clark/Lake Station and get the four blocks from there to your lodging.