Is riding the "El" the best way to travel Chicago while on vacation?
We are going to Chicago for a few days of vacation and I'm wondering, is the train the best way to travel? We went to Atlanta last year and relied on the subway. I'm wondering if the El will take us to most of the major attractions from our hotel near Millenium Park.
It depends on how many people are in your group. If its more than two then it might be cheaper to take a cab.
If you're going for public transportation a combination of bus and elevated/subway. Buy a pass. They're available for 1, 3, and 7 days for visitors.
Walk when you can. The main attractions are close enough that you can.
Check out the site I attached for information about fares and routes.
Its a shame they discontinued the free trolleys. They'd take you to all the main attractions in the summer. Helped save a few bucks.
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June 10th, 2009 at 3:41 am
They'll get you close. Of course you'll have to be a big city person and hike a few blocks. lol
The El Trains will get ya close to where you wanna go.
If the loop tour train is still running I'd check that out, but I haven't been to Chicago in years.
Also, you might want to get a CTA pass (its like a prepay credit card), with that you can hop on the el or ride a bus. The EL doesn't go everywhere, and I know there are a few destinations that you'd want to ride a bus to get to.
Have fun in the windy city! lol
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June 10th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Take a cab. These things stop every 5 seconds and you still have to walk to your destination. Sometimes your hotel will shuttle you as well depending on where you are staying.
References :
June 10th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Yeah, the el or certain bus lines. And if it won't get you right to the front door, it will get you pretty darn close. It's probably the best and most economical way for a family on vacation to get around. I recommend studying the map at the CTA website BEFORE you get here. Find out the addresses and locations of the places you want to go, then see how they coordinate on the map with the train and bus lines. That way, you'll be somewhat familiar with it and won't be standing around gawking like a, well, tourist.
I do that with most cities I visit (London, Toronto, San Francisco…) and it helps a lot. I know where and how to catch the trains and know where most of them go.
References :
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/maps/htsystemmap.aspx
June 10th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Yes, you're a block or so east of the "El". The route map you can get at your hotel is user-friendly. You might want to begin your trip with a whirlwind tour of the city on one of the spiffy double-decker buses to get an overall sense of the city. have fun!
References :
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/attractions/chicago-trolley-tours.html
June 10th, 2009 at 5:03 am
It depends on how many people are in your group. If its more than two then it might be cheaper to take a cab.
If you're going for public transportation a combination of bus and elevated/subway. Buy a pass. They're available for 1, 3, and 7 days for visitors.
Walk when you can. The main attractions are close enough that you can.
Check out the site I attached for information about fares and routes.
Its a shame they discontinued the free trolleys. They'd take you to all the main attractions in the summer. Helped save a few bucks.
References :
http://www.transitchicago.com/visitors.aspx
http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/brochures/Downtown_Sightseeing_Guide.pdf
June 10th, 2009 at 5:17 am
In the summer they usually have free trolleys as well as riverboats that go between most of the major tourist places.
The "L" is cheap and a good way to travel, its also something neat to do as a tourist acivity in itself however even to someone who lives in the burbs and spends a bit of time in chicago regularly its pretty confusing. I think cabs is the best way to get around short distances.
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