Going To Northlake From Chicago
 

On a Sunday afternoon in June, I will need to get from downtown Chicago (Delaware and Michigan) to an event at Midwest Conference Ctr.
401 W Lake St., Northlake, IL 60164.

While I am sure I can catch a cab in front of the hotel, what would the approximate cost be? How about returning?

What is be easier and cheaper to simply rent a car at O'Hare?

City cabs that drop off in the suburbs get some multiple (1.5 or 2.0) of the meter. Suburban cabs have flat fares. Google "American Taxi" for rates (Loop-Northlake and Northlake-ORD) and reservations. Compare with your best deal on ORD RAC including Loop parking and Loop RAC with ORD dropoff.

Are you coming back to the city or leaving afterwards? If leaving, I'd concur to go with American Taxi. Call the night before and they'll schedule it and have the cab waiting at your time. Website says $34 City to Northlake and then $24 Northlake to O'Hare. That'll likely end up cheaper then renting and parking in the city. If you're heading back into the city, then look into just renting from somewhere close to your hotel.

I'm planning on arriving at ORD, going to the city, checking into the hotel, going to Northlake, attending the function, going back to the city, spending overnight and then going back to ORD.

So, the way I see it, it's either a rental car or four cabs.

What say you all?

What's your estimated RAC and parking and gas expense?

Not that I'm discouraging you from staying downtown (because it's clearly a lot more fun than Northlake & the surrounding area ;)), but if you're only going to be around for 1-2 nights for this particular Northlake function, you'd probably be better off renting a car and staying at a hotel nearby instead of going downtown - it makes much more economical sense, if that's the concern.

I have always liked Chicago and since I haven't been there in a few years we were thinking of possibly going for the weekend, if possible.

In any case, the event in Northlake is a wedding reception and we just have to be there for a few hours so we would prefer the accommodations of the Four Seasons to the Northlake Holiday Inn. :)

I am guessing that the four cab rides I mentioned would cost at least $100. Would that be correct?

I don't blame you. ;) :D

At least. Actually, more like $200...I'd budget at least $50/ride. If you're staying at FS, I'm guessing dough isn't an issue...so I'd definitely stay downtown and cab it as necessary.

The parking downtown will be a hefty charge. I'd suggest cabbing from ORD to your hotel and back and then renting a car downtown for the run out to Northlake and back.

Another twist to throw into the mix. If for some reason you WANT the car overnight (parking will be over $30 in that area, I expect), you can rent by the hotel and return it to ORD without extra charge from most of the major car rental companies.

The 318 bus goes right through Northlake... Just a thought.

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/200804W.html

JP

This is a great idea. Thank you both!

Are Hertz or Avis nearby?

Go to yp.yahoo.com, enter the address of the hotel as a location, then search for car rental. There's a Hertz at 0.2 miles (according to them). Also, Enterprise is close by AND they can usually pick you up.

JP