Chicago - Best Way to go to Downtown Chicago, on the eve of a major medical conference

Next week (around 9:30 PM, module F), I will be arriving from YOW at Terminal F. This is on the eve of a major oncology conference (ie ASCO) - for the next 5 days, upto 35,000 people will attend.

Every year, I take a taxi - and the lineup for the taxi stand in front of mod F is 1-2 hours.

What can I do to facilitate my ability to get transportation without waiting very long?

I will be staying at Embassy-Suites Downtown-Lakefront (North Columbus Drive and E Grant Ave).

I would presume that a nonguest of the Airport Hilton can not get a taxi from there?

Take the train from ORD to downtown. It takes ~40 minutes and costs $2.25. Get off at Grand and Halsted, and take a cab from there to your hotel (less than 10 minutes).

Alternately, you can book a car service (I like Smart Cars (http://www.smartcarsinc.com/)) or take a shuttle (http://www.airportexpress.com/).

I agree with the CTA/el advice then cab if your bags aren't too unwieldy going through turnstyles, up/down stairs, escalators etc.

If so, I've always wondered if you could get a drink at the ORD Hilton bar, then ask them to call you a taxi?

The problem I've found with SuperShuttle is they are not up front about how much waiting time there is to departure, and how much time it takes to unload with all the other stops. Can take an extra hour for all this, so the savings don't translate.

Finally, another way to jump the taxi line is to ask people at the front if they are going downtown and want to share? This takes some foward-ness that I've lacked, but sometimes the starter will ask.


F.T.

I agree with the CTA/el advice then cab if your bags aren't too unwieldy going through turnstyles, up/down stairs, escalators etc.

If so, I've always wondered if you could get a drink at the ORD Hilton bar, then ask them to call you a taxi?

The problem I've found with SuperShuttle is they are not up front about how much waiting time there is to departure, and how much time it takes to unload with all the other stops. Can take an extra hour for all this, so the savings don't translate.

Finally, another way to jump the taxi line is to ask people at the front if they are going downtown and want to share? This takes some foward-ness that I've lacked, but sometimes the starter will ask.


F.T.

Its common at busy airports when taxi ques are out of contol for people to start sharing. SuperShuttle into a major city I'd avoid unless you have hours and don't mind seeing a lot of the city. I've used them from MIA to South Beach but from LGA or JFK into NYC I think I would prefer to walk into Manhattan.

Blue Line Clark/Lake has elevators (you have to change) which take you all the way up to the street level.

Take the train from ORD to downtown. It takes ~40 minutes and costs $2.25. Get off at Grand and Halsted, and take a cab from there to your hotel (less than 10 minutes).


Agreed re taking the El. But I'd suggest getting off at the Clark/Lake stop (the next stop after Grand Ave), as I think it's easier to get a cab @ Clark/Lake.

The problem I've found with SuperShuttle is they are not up front about how much waiting time there is to departure, and how much time it takes to unload with all the other stops. Can take an extra hour for all this, so the savings don't translate.

At the risk of confusing the OP, it's worth pointing out that there is no SuperShuttle in Chicago. Yes, you can go to their site to make a reservation, but it's for a car service run by another company.

NewbieRunner stated:
"Blue Line Clark/Lake has elevators (you have to change) which take you all the way up to the street level."

I am going to Renaissance Hotel in downtown on Wacker Drive from ORD vi the El (Blue Line). Because I will have luggage, should I exit the El Blue Line train at Clark/Lake using the elevators to go up to the street level, and then walk east? I originally thought of changing to the Orange or Pink Line at Clark/Lake and then go one stop at State/Lake. However, I remember that to exit the State/Lake station, you have to walk down a long stair. Do you think I should get exit at Clark/Lake and walk, instead of exiting at State/Lake?

NewbieRunner stated:
"Blue Line Clark/Lake has elevators (you have to change) which take you all the way up to the street level."

I am going to Renaissance Hotel in downtown on Wacker Drive from ORD vi the El (Blue Line). Because I will have luggage, should I exit the El Blue Line train at Clark/Lake using the elevators to go up to the street level, and then walk east? I originally thought of changing to the Orange or Pink Line at Clark/Lake and then go one stop at State/Lake. However, I remember that to exit the State/Lake station, you have to walk down a long stair. Do you think I should get exit at Clark/Lake and walk, instead of exiting at State/Lake?

There's no reason to change trains at Clark & Lake if your final destination is State between Lake & Wacker. You'll probably spend more time changing platforms, waiting for the train & then hauling your luggage down a flight of stairs than you would walking.

I am going to Renaissance Hotel in downtown on Wacker Drive from ORD vi the El (Blue Line). Because I will have luggage, should I exit the El Blue Line train at Clark/Lake using the elevators to go up to the street level, and then walk east? I originally thought of changing to the Orange or Pink Line at Clark/Lake and then go one stop at State/Lake. However, I remember that to exit the State/Lake station, you have to walk down a long stair. Do you think I should get exit at Clark/Lake and walk, instead of exiting at State/Lake?
It's only two blocks between Clark/Lake and State/Lake. Clark/Lake to the Renaissance is only three blocks. As chgoeditor says it would be much easier to walk from Clark/Lake than to change trains.