If I am staying at a hotel in Schaumburg, what's the best and cheapest way to get to Downtown Chicago?

Question

Drive and find parking myself or taxi?

I'm staying there for Labor Day weekend starting Friday afternoon.

Answer 1

if you are in Schaumburg, take Dial a Ride to the Schaumburg Metra and take it to downtown. If u r at a hotel, then take their courtesy bus to O'Hare take the El from Cumberland to downtown, u can also check if they can drop u to the train station.
I would suggest just rent a car from enterprise for the weekend, parking is hard to find in downtown unless u want to spend $30 for the day, usually no in out privileges, best deal is to drive close to Chicago and use the rail system, also the idea above drive to Cumberland (15min from schaumburg) and then take the EL to the loop.

you can always take a cab, it is $35-$45 to the loop then you'll pay the same to get back so not the cheapest alternative.

Answer 2

If where you need to go is within walking distance from the lakefront, the Grant Park/Monroe Park/Millennium Park lots are available, they aren't too pricey, and they should have a lot of spaces available for the weekend provided there isn't a really big lakefront festival going on during Labor Day. Lots further into downtown may cost you a bit, but they tend to be flat rate during the weekends or in the evening, except for the more popular places like Water Tower Place up on Michigan Avenue.

Taxi all the way into downtown could get pricey. If you do that, find someone who will charge you flat rate.

I like the idea of taking the hotel bus to O'Hare and then taking the Blue Line to the Loop. Whether you take the CTA or Metra, might want to check the skeds if the trains or hotel shuttle will be running when you want to head back to your room in beautiful Schaumburg. But that's what a concierge is for. :-)

Answer 3

Not the easiest to get downtown from their. There will probably be a Metro Rail station with 10 min or so of you. If you can get their by taxi or shuttle you would probably have about 40 min by rail into the city. But its very cheap. Other then that, just taking 290 striaght in by car would be the fastest way. But driving in Chicago is not easy. Take the train.

Answer 4

You can take PACE to the Forest Park train terminal which takes you downtown.