Chicago, Illinois — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
O'HareInternationalAirport(ORD)
Tel: (773) 686 3700 or 1 800 832 6352.
Website: www.flychicago.com
O'Hare is the major international airport for Chicago, only 30km (19 miles) northwest of the downtown area.
Airport facilities: Permanent bureau de change facilities and ATMs are available in all terminals and the latter take most international cards. Hotel and transportation information in eight different languages is available at Virtual Concierge Kiosks located in the baggage areas. Also located in each terminal are a variety of restaurants, bars, fast food outlets and shops, as well as car hire from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National. University of Illinois Medical Center, a fairly comprehensive medical clinic, is located in Terminal 2.
Business facilities: Laptop Lane, located in Terminal 1, offers workstations for travelers. The Hilton Business Center (tel: (773) 601 1743), located in the Hilton Hotel in Terminal 2, offers full business services. For a fee, Wi-Fi access is available in most sections of the airport.
Transport to the city: The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) (tel: 1 888 968 7282/ YOUR CTA; www.transitchicago.com) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) (tel: (312) 913 3110; www.rtachicago.com) are the major means of public transportation to and from the airport. Blue Line trains are the quickest and cheapest way into central Chicago. The service operates 24 hours and leaves every 10 minutes (journey time - 45 minutes). The walk from the flight terminals to the trains is a long one.
Continental Airport Express (tel: (773) 247 1200 or 1 888 284 3826; www.airportexpress.com) operates a shuttle minibus service 0600-2330 to central Chicago, and to the northern suburban locations in a shared coach (journey time - 45 minutes). Omega (tel: (773) 734 6688; www.omegashuttle.com) offers an hourly service 0600-2330, between O'Hare and Midway Airports, and also departs from Hyde Park (near the University of Chicago) from 0500 (journey time - 45 minutes). Taxis are available for around US$40 per person plus a fuel surcharge and for Share-a-Ride, sharing a cab with a stranger, the fare would be one-half. Expect to tip the driver about 10-15%.
Midway International Airport (MDW)
Tel: (773) 838 0600 or 1 800 832 6352.
Website: www.flychicago.com
This airport, 18km (11 miles) southwest of Downtown Chicago, is used by domestic and discount airlines.
Airport facilities: ATMs, cafes, bars, newspaper stands and car hire from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Business facilities: There is no business center, but Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for a fee.
Transport to the city: The CTA (tel: 1 888 968 7282/YOUR CTA; www.transitchicago.com) and RTA (tel: (312) 913 3110; www.rtachicago.com) are the major means of public transportation to and from the airport. The Orange Line train goes to the city center 0435-2320 (journey time - 20-25 minutes). Continental Airport Express (tel: (773) 247 1200 or 1 888 284 3826; www.airportexpress.com) operates a shuttle minibus service 0600-2330 to central Chicago and to northern suburban locations (journey time - 45 minutes). Omega (tel: (773) 734 6688; www.omegashuttle.com) offers an hourly service 0700-2345, between O'Hare and Midway Airports. Taxis to the center will cost around US$35-40 plus a fuel surcharge, depending on the traffic, and from the South Side US$17. Share-a-Ride costs about half the fare (journey time - 30 minutes).
Approximate flight times to Chicago: From London is 8 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 2 hours 15 minutes; from Los Angeles is 4 hours; from Toronto is 1 hour 45 minutes and from Sydney is 13 hours 30 minutes.
Up-to-date arrival and departure information for both Chicago airports can be found on www.flychicago.com.
Getting There By Road
Chicago is as much the center of the US road network as it is that for rail and air routes. The general rule for numbering on freeways and interstates is that odd numbers go north-south and even numbers go east-west over their whole length, although at any single, localized point it may seem different. Driving is on the right. The speed limits on the different motorways can vary. The general maximum is 90kph (55mph), with some spots being 110kph (70mph). Town residential areas can be as slow as 30kph (20mph), with specifically posted limits near schools. It is also illegal to pass a yellow 'School Bus' when its red lights are flashing. Unless specified, it is permissible to turn right at a red light after making a complete stop. Seat belts are obligatory for front-seat passengers and, within the city limits. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.08% and the prosecution for drink driving is severe.
The minimum driving age is 16 years. A valid driving license, preferably one with a photo ID, is valid but a temporary International Driving Permit also works. Third party insurance is mandatory, although it is also highly recommended for drivers to have adequate travel medical insurance, as the cost of medical treatment in the USA is huge. Petrol ('gas') is cheaper than in Europe, though prices frequently fluctuate. Many petrol stations are open 24 hours a day on main roads and operate a pre-pay system at the pumps using a credit card or through a cashier.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: 1 800 222 1134) can provide information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.
Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).
Routes to the city
Interstate 90 (I-90) runs due west to Seattle on the Pacific seaboard, while I-80 runs a parallel westward route, further south, to San Francisco. Its eastward stretch goes to New York. I-55 goes south to St Louis, then follows the Mississippi to New Orleans on the Gulf of Mexico. Making an arc on the west side of the city, about 16km (10 miles) from the Loop at its nearest point to Downtown, the I-294 is a toll road. Also, south of the city center, the I-90 becomes the 'Chicago Skyway Toll' road, on its route to Indianapolis. The I-94 connects with Milwaukee and Minneapolis in the north, while the I-80 takes drivers west toward Omaha.
Coach services
The main bus station is located at 630 West Harrison Street (tel: (312) 408 5800), only two blocks from the CTA Blue Line's Clinton Station. Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates buses nationwide from here. Indian Trails (tel: 1 800 292 3831; www.indiantrails.com) operates the regional services between Chicago and Michigan destinations like Bay City, Saginaw and Flint.
Getting There By Rail
Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245/USA RAIL; www.amtrak.com) operates from Union Station, 225 South Canal Street), which is also the hub of its whole national network. The beautiful station is a Chicago landmark, reminiscent of the time when railroads were the country's main transportation artery. Facilities include bars and food outlets, ATMs, baggage porters, an enclosed waiting area, payphones, as well as short- and long-term paid parking. The commuter service, Metra Rail (tel: (312) 322 6777; www.metrarail.com), also operates from here. Car hire is available from Budget, Enterprise and Hertz. Travelers with enquiries should either contact Amtrak or the stations on the intended route.
Rail Services
Trains are available from Union Station to destinations across the USA including Milwaukee (journey time - 1hour 30 minutes), Detroit (journey time - 6 hours 30 minutes), New York (journey time - 19 hours) and San Francisco (journey time - 51 hours).
Getting Around in Chicago, Illinois
Public Transport
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) (tel: 1 888 968 7282/YOUR CTA; www.transitchicago.com) operates trains and buses within the city. The trains are referred to as the 'El' or 'L' (the name is derived from the elevated rail that circles around the main Downtown business and shopping district). Each of the seven train lines are identified and named by a different color. CTA services run 24 hours. Overnight or Night Owl services operate between approximately 0000 and 0500.
Passes for two, three and five days are available. There is a transfer charge of US$0.25 between routes, whether train or bus. Tickets and passes are available for purchase from machines and ticket offices at the stations, as well as from visitor information centers and directly from the CTA.
Metra (tel: (312) 322 6777; www.metrarail.com) is a commuter rail system serving the suburbs and surrounding cities with 12 lines.
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (tel: (312) 913-3110 weekdays 0830-1900 or (312) 836 7000; www.rtachicago.com) oversees Northern Illinois public transportation and includes, the CTA, the suburban bus line, PACE (tel: (847) 364 7223), and Metra.
Free trolley buses (tel: 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO; www.choosechicago.com) travel between the city's most popular attractions like Navy Pier, the Museum Campus and North Michigan Avenue. Buses run from late May until early September and then again during the holiday season (late November until after New Year's Day).
Pedways
An underground system of 'pedways' (pedestrian walkways or subways to the British) is especially useful for escaping the weather and crowded downtown streets. From this network, which links over 40 blocks of streets, there is access to many buildings, stations and shops in the Loop. Maps are available, free of charge, from hotels and around the various points of the system, including the Illinois Center.
Taxis
These are easy to hail on the streets, especially in the Loop and Wrigleyville. A tip of 10-15% is usually expected. The main companies are American United Cab Assoc. (tel: (773) 248 7600), Checker Taxi Assoc. Inc. (tel: (312) 243 2537), Flash Cab Co (tel: (773) 992 0303), Wolley Cab (tel: 1 877 888 8294) and Yellow Cab (tel: (312) 829 4222/TAXICAB).
Driving in the City
For those who are new to the city, driving is not recommended. The traffic is hectic during rush hours (0700-0930 and 1600-1900) and confusing because of the one-way street systems in Downtown areas. Local drivers are sometimes impatient with those who do not know where they are going, so it is best for visitors to get into the main areas by train, bus or taxi and continue on foot.
If driving is the only option, be aware that the city streets are largely based on a grid pattern, the central point of which is the crossroads at Madison Avenue and State Street, in the Loop district. From here, the naming of a street as 'north' or 'south' or as 'west' or 'east' is taken for granted.
Street parking meters take coins above US$0.10 (a dime), with US$0.25 (a quarter) being the most useful coin. The more congested the area, the higher the meter rate. Major attractions may have limited parking but, in general, Downtown parking is difficult and expensive. From 1 December to 1 April, Snow Parking regulations apply on many streets, making fewer spaces available, and cars parked on snow routes are likely to be towed.
Car Hire
The minimum age for hiring a car varies from 21 to 25 years. Car rental agencies charge an extra premium to drivers under 25. A valid driving license or an International Driving Permit is required. Costly insurance can be part of the hire arrangement, but renters should check their auto insurance to see if their policies cover rental cars.
Recommended US car hire companies include Alamo (tel: 1 800 327 9633; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 4000; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 3131; www.hertz.com) and National (tel: 1 800 227 7368; www.nationalcar.com).
Bicycle Hire
For visitors, cycling on the streets is discouraged; however, biking the lakefront cycling paths is quite pleasant. Bike Chicago, at Navy Pier, Millennium Park (tel: 1 888 245 3929; www.bikechicago.com) or at its other locations: North Avenue Beach, 1603 N. Lakeshore Drive; Riverwalk, Wacker Dr. & Columbus St; Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue or Foster Beach, 5200 N. Lakeshore Drive, has a good range of bicycles for hire. Bike Chicago also offers cycling tours.
