Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

182  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

assistance to travelers with
disabilities with 48 hours’ notice,
including priority seating. In
some cases, a personal care
assistant may travel for free. Call
the Greyhound ADA Assist Line
for details. Megabus drops
Chicago arrivals at Union Station
and offers cheap, no-frills regional
direct transport between cities.
A one-way Megabus trip from
Minneapolis will cost $39
(several arrival times daily), $35
Amtrak train en route to Chicago from Memphis or St. Louis.
All buses have restrooms,
Arriving by Train Arriving by Long- power outlets, and free Wi-Fi.
Distance Bus
Chicago is the national rail hub
of Amtrak, the US’s passenger The main terminal in Chicago Arriving by Car
rail line. Fifty trains linking to for Greyhound Bus Line is in
hundreds of US destinations, a rather desolate area a few If you arrive in Chicago from the
as well as those from Canada, blocks from Union Station. southwest, on I-55 (Stevenson
arrive at or depart from Chicago’s It is not within easy walking Expressway), follow the freeway
Union Station daily. Amtrak distance to hotels in the Loop, to its end, to Lake Shore Drive,
also services 34 destinations in so plan on taking a taxi to your then follow Lake Shore Drive
Illinois, either through trains or final destination. north. Shortly you will pass the
connecting buses. Although walk-up ticket sales city center, and have one of the
Amtrak’s commuter trains are readily available, Greyhound best views of Chicago’s skyline.
have refreshment cars, and long- offers substantial discounts for Several exits lead off Lake Shore
distance routes have dining cars purchasing tickets online and in Drive into downtown or the Near
and sleeping cars. Reservations advance. For example, a North Side, including the
are necessary on many routes standard fare of $58 Wacker Drive exit.
and advised for travel during one way from Taking Lake
peak periods: the summer Minneapolis will Shore Drive
months and major holidays. only cost $23 Greyhound is a good way
Seats can be reserved online, when booked online, logo to traverse the city.
via telephone or in-person. even just a day or two The historic Route
Fares vary considerably based in advance. Traveling “the dog” 66, running from Los Angeles,
on advance purchase, with the from New York to Chicago will joins I-55 on the outskirts
cheapest fares offered for tickets cost between $95 and $125; the of Chicago.
bought at least 90 days ahead journey from Los Angeles to I-90 East (Northwest Tollway
of travel. An average-priced Chicago takes three days and to Kennedy Expressway)
one-way ticket from New York costs between $178 and $225. running from the northwest,
to Chicago will cost about Most Greyhound trains are from O’Hare Airport, will bring
$120; from Detroit, $75; from equipped with decent legroom, you into the city. Take the Ohio
Washington DC, $115. Fares free Wi-Fi, and AC outlets Street exit for downtown.
for the 43-hour trip from Los available for passenger use; Arriving by car from the west,
Angeles to Chicago will average restrooms are provided on all US Route 20 leads into I-290
about $190. buses. Greyhound offers East (Eisenhower Expressway),
Amtrak offers discounts to
seniors and students. When you
book, check the website or ask a
ticket sales agent about special
promotions.
Although Union Station
is just west of the Loop and
close to downtown Chicago,
it is not an easy walk to hotels
or CTA trains when you are
carrying luggage. If arriving in
Chicago by train, it is probably
best to plan on taking a taxi
to your hotel. You will find
that taxis are plentiful around
the station. Farm buildings on scenic US Route 20, which runs northwest through Illinois

182-183_EW_Chicago.indd 182 13/07/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm