We are a family of 5 (2 adults/3 children) and are flying to O'Hare to go to the American Girl Place in downtown Chicago (staying @ Fitzpatrick Hotel). Any idea's on who to contact for transportation to downtown area? A limo is not out of the question if not too expensive. Any idea on the approximate cab fare to downtown? I need some names of some companies that offer such services to see what all my options may be!

Thanks in advance!

Craig

Try O'Hare-Midway www.ohare-midway.com. $55 plus tip and toll for a stretch limo to your hotel. I use them all the time. They have new cars, good drivers, and show up on time.

The least expensive and often the fastest way is to take the train (known as the "El" for elevated). It will run you $1.50 per person from O'Hare into the city, so for five people, that's a very reasonably $7.50 (and nobody to tip). A cab usually seems to run me about $35, but that would vary by time of day, etc. The train is very easy to use and you can catch it right below the terminal; just follow the signs. You might want to contact your hotel to see how far away it is from the nearest El stop and what that stop would be.

I would also have said the train but the thought of kids and luggage negates that idea.Just line up outside for the taxis and limos that can accommodate all of you-no problem

There is no convenient El or subway stop near her hotel. But you can take the El to the Loop and then get a cab. If you have lots of luggage, I wouldn't take the El.

Here's poster who's considering taking a limo to town and posters are telling him to take the EL??!! LOL. I took the El once to downtown Chicago with luggage. Never again! The ride from the airport is ok, but getting out of the EL with luggage was a huge pain. And with kids as well? No thanks!
A cab will be abou $35-$40, but I don't know if one could hold all of you and your luggage (you don't say how old the kids are). I have heard of limos being available for about $50. Call the hotel but don't speak to the front desk; ask to speak to the bell captain (call during the day during the week). Those guys are all tapped into the various limo services around town and can probably set you up on a good deal, especially if you tell him you'd be "very grateful" (i.e., if he gets you a good rate, make sure he gets a good tip). You don't need a stretch limo, just a Lincoln Town Car. I did this once--the bell captain got me a ride to O'Hare from downtown in a brand new Town Car for the same price ($35) as a cab. I tipped him $15 for it--which made the total $50, but the hour+ long ride (rush hour traffic) in the new Town Car was worth it.

I was no comment on the original question but would rather like to point out that the "el" is actually "L" short for the loop and not elevated like a previous poster stated.

The nickname Loop comes from the elevated tracks that form a loop in the business district. The Loop is just a small portion of the elevated train system that runs through Chicago and it's not even the first section that was built. The trains are indeed elevated throughout most of Chicago and although you see references to both el and "L", it stands for elevated not the Loop.

Triple x is partly correct, however, the term "The Loop" originally did not refer to the "el", but rather a street car.
The original term "The Loop", was coined for an area around Marshall Fields on State Street. A street car picked shoppers up farther down on State and delivered them to the famous door, then circled back. This term came into being before the elevated tracks were built.

The "el" means elevated.

In todays world, The Loop has come to mean the downtown area, which is surrounded by the elevated tracks.

THAT said, by all means follow abc's recommendations for the limo...

Thanks x, for the advice about ohare-midway.com. I just booked with them for my business trip next week and they made everyhing VERY easy! I hope Craig takesyour advice. I needed two separate fares, one from O'Hare to my Aunt's house in West Chicago ($69.00, $2.00 airport fee? and toll charges.) Later, from downtown to O'Hare ($55.00 plus tolls) Their phone operator was through and answered each of my questions. They give you an 800 number to call after you've claimed your bags, which cues your driver to head for the door to meet you. (takes 10-12 minutes) I'm excited to try and I'll post after I try them out.