Originally Posted by rvaccha
a) Can I take the CTA from Midway to NMA?. If so, what is the fare per adult, do they allow luggage (including one full sized suitcase) and how long will the journey take?
Yes. Follow the signs to the CTA train station. You'll be at the end of the Orange Line. Take that to State/Lake. When you get off at State/Lake, you'll be on the Loop elevated tracks. The Red Line is subway. You have to exit the station, go down the the street, then go down to the subway. Get on that northbound to the stop closest to your hotel. It'll either be 1 stop to Grand or 2 stops to Chicago. Alternate to the Red transfer is to just hail a cab when you get off the Orange Line. It should be about $5 to your hotel and will be much easier.
Luggage isn't a problem. All train fares are $1.75. You have to get a fare card, which you can get at the vending machines at Midway.
Originally Posted by rvaccha
b) What are the stations that are near the hotels on NMA, and how long would I take from one of those stations to Foster Station, assuming I have to change from the red line to the purple line?
Either Grand Ave or Chicago Ave on the Red Line, which runs under State St at that point. State is 3 short blocks west of Michigan Ave.
Time depends on time of day. If it's rush hour and the Purple Express is running, get off at Fullerton and get on a purple train. At Fullerton, Red runs on the inside tracks, Brown and Purple on the outside. If the Purple Express isn't running, stay on the Red to the north end of the line, Howard St and transfer to Purple there.
Express should take about 45. Local about an hour. However, if you absolutely have to be there for an appointment, I would recommend allowing at least 30 minutes of buffer time. I have watched a Purple depart from Howard as we pulled in and ended up sitting for 20 minutes more times than I can count.