book this hotelGetting Around Chicago
The city's streets are set up in a grid pattern, providing ease of navigation. Parking is often hard to find. Taxis are readily available. The elevated "El" trains are color coded and run through the downtown "Loop" every five to fifteen minutes during the day.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (773) 686-2200 is one of the world's busiest. O'Hare is located northwest of the city; depending on traffic, drive time is 30 minutes to more than an hour. On the opposite end of the city, the Southwest Side, is Chicago's other major airport, Midway International Airport ( 773) 838-0600.
Getting Into Town From the Airport:
Taxis are plentiful at both O'Hare and Midway. Public transportation is convenient from both airports. You can take the El directly into downtown. O'Hare is located on the Blue Line; a trip to downtown takes about 40 minutes. Trains leave every 6 to 10 minutes during the day, and every half-hour in the evening and overnight. Getting downtown from Midway on the Orange Line takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Free Ride:
During the summer, the city of Chicago operates free trolleys daily between Michigan Avenue and the Museum Campus and on weekends in the fall and spring. Free trolleys also run year-round between Navy Pier and the Grand/State El station on the Red Line.
El & the Subway:
Sky Train: Chicago's El: Chicago has the biggest El in the country, and the second-largest public transportation system.
By Car:
Chicago is laid out in a very straight forward grid pattern, and it is easy for visitors to get around the city by car. Unless otherwise posted, a right turn on red is allowed after stopping and signaling.
By Boat:
During the summer, boat traffic greatly expands along the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Chicago River. Water Taxi and River Bus service operate every few minutes.