My son and I will be visiting U of Chicago and Northwestern in August. We plan to fly Air Tran which flies into Midway (I think). Sadly we just have time for the tours and have to get back. Can anyone help with how to get to the airport and the two colleges? Should I rent a car or is there public transportation?

I have heard Chicago is a good city to try priceline. Where should we select if we try this?

All ideas are appreciated.

It is very easy to get from Midway to downtown, and from downtown to Evanston (Northwestern) by train. I wouldn't get a car if I were you. Others will chime in, I'm sure, to give you specific instructions.

My Mom lives in the U of C neighborhood and I take a cab from Midway. U of C is almost due east of Midway Airport, at the Lake (Midway Airport is basically on 55th and the U of C Midway is 59th, close to the lake.) There is also a local transportation service called "Omega."

http://www.omegashuttle.com/

You can compare prices between a cab for 2 and the shuttle.

Public transit would be difficult and I would not recommend it.

Northwestern is in Evanston, the suburb just north of the city, on the lake, so it is quite a distance from the U of C on the southside. I don't know how you would get between the two by public transit. The Metra train goes between downtown and the U of C. Also there is a good express bus, the Jeffrey Express that runs near the U of C campus and goes downtown. From downtown to Evanston, not sure.

Staying downtown is a good idea as it is in the middle and you could get transportation either way. You could also stay at the U of C. You might be able to stay in a dorm or the International House. You could ask the university about this. (I know this is sometimes done, depending on occupancy)

I agree that you should stay downtown. If you'll be going directly from MDW to U of C, a cab would probably be your best bet. As a previous poster said, you can take the Metra (commuter) train from there into the city. You'll end up at Millennium Station on the east side of The Loop. For schedules and fare info, check www.metrarail.com.

In addition to the Jeffery Express bus (Number 14), you could take the Museum of Science & Industry bus (Number 10). You can catch the Number 14 bus southbound on Michigan Avenue south of Madison Street. North of the river, you can catch the southbound Number 10 on Michigan Avenue. South of the river, along State Street. The University is about 8 blocks from the museum.

From The Loop to Evanston, there are a couple options. If you'll be leaving for Evanston before 9:30 am, you can catch the Purple Line L. The Purple Line only runs south of Howard during rush hours.

At other times, you can catch the Red Line subway alont State Street to Howard. At Howard, transfer to the Purple Line to the Davis stop. Northwestern is around 5 blocks east. It will take around an hour.

Another option is to catch the Number 147 bus northbound on Michigan Avenue. After it leaves the Mag Mile, it runs express through Lincoln Park then through the Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. When it reaches the Howard Terminal, transfer to the Purple Line. The ride is very scenic along Lake Shore Drive and a little faster than the Red Line.

For complete transit info, maps, and a trip planner, check www.transitchicago.com. A visitor pass may also be a good investment. You can purchase 1-day passes in Midway for $5.75 that allow unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses for a 24-hour period. You can purchase a 3-day pass in the rail station for $14. Passes are also available online. If you take the Metra train, it requires a separate fare.

the Metra also travels to Evanston and has a stop within blocks of Northwestern. You would need to check on metra and look for theUnion Pacific NOrth line which stops @ Davis street
http://metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_n/cnwn.shtml
This train leaves from Ogilvie Center which is very near the Sears Tower.
My suggestion would also be to stay downtown ( can probably get good rates through priceline or hotwire) Take cab from Midway to U of C. Consider a cab to loop or a busline that goes down Michigan. Stay at a central loop location and be ab le to enjoy many of the free activities that go on in the Loop in the evenings ( dance classes, movies in the park,concerts,etc.)
good luck

Wow, great suggestions. Can I ask a real "never been to Chicago" question? If we were to stay another day, what would you recommend that we see?

Also, I've heard people recommend areas on priceline for hotels. Based on staying downtown, what would you recommend?

Thanks so much!

A good bet for staying downtown is near Wacker and Michigan. Consider the Hard Rock, the Hotel 71, the Monaco, Comfort Suites, Renaissance, Hyatt Regency. All reasonable walking distance to purple line to Evanston or commuter rail from what is now called Millenium Station at Randolph and Michigan to U of C. (Here's the schedule: http://www.nictd.com/TempPDF/ScheduleChange.pdf)

If you want a cool location, close to the mag mile is near anything and everything. My friends and I have stayed many places while crusing Chicago and have loved the Avenue Hotel. Priceline usually has great offers as well. You get a great bang for your buck here.

Absolutely stay in the heart of downtown and travel from there via public transportation. No matter if your son chooses NU or U Chicago, he will spend time in the city so it is good to see it now. Our very first trip to Chicago was 5 years ago, taking my daughter to see both schools as well. We only stayed 2 nights, did the quick tours at both schools and touristed the remaining time. It was GREAT. She chose Northwestern, had an amazing 4 years there, graduated in June and I just returned from helping her move to her new apt. in downtown - because she is going to U Chicago for grad school! She says that one of the main reasons she chose NU was because of our trip to Chicago - she loved the city. And I have really loved visiting her there as well!