Public Transit from ORD to the Loop (Chicago, Cicero: budget, rent)

[Castro Viejo]

I apologize for having to ask this question here, but I tried to figure it out on my own, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

I'm coming into Chicago in a week (Sunday, 3/9) for a visit. I was planning to take the Blue Line into the Loop around 3:30PM/4:00PM.

So I checked out the CTA website and, apparently, the Blue Line's O'Hare branch doesn't run on the weekends. The website says something about taking the Pink Line for a free transfer to the Blue Line at Lake/Clark. I looked at the system map and that didn't make any sense to me. Isn't Lake/Clark in the Loop itself? The website further says to use the Forest Park Blue Line stop to get from ORD to the Loop on the weekends, but how the heck am I supposed to get to the Forest Park stop?

I didn't want to rent a car since I'll primarily be in the city for most of the time I'm there. I'd rather not get raped by the cabs. The Metra line that runs close to O'Hare doesn't run on the weekends either.

Am I missing something? Again, I apologize for having to ask this here. I did a search and couldn't find the answer on the internet or on the forums.

Thanks!

[eevee]

correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the blue line is 24/7. there's one branch that only runs weekdays during rush hours, and I believe that's the part that you would need to take the pink line from if you live in that area. if you are just going from O'Hare to the Loop, that train is 24/7

hope I got that right-I'm somewhat new to Chicago and that screwed my up as well

[Chinolala]

I am 99.9% sure that the Blue line that runs between downtown Chicago and O'Hare, runs 24/7. And yes, Clark and Lake is downtown. It's the main L/subway transfer station downtown. Call 1-888-YOURCTA to find out for sure.

[supernerdgirl]

you can leave o'hare via the blue line on weekends because I've done it. they might be doing some wacky construction with one track, or shuttle buses involved, but you should be able to get there. and depending on where you're going you might not want to get off at Clark/Lake... you could also get off at Monroe, Washington or Jackson, or Clinton even.


and you will get raped by the cabs. my friend said that he and his girlfriend had to pay $60 to get from O'hare to the loop. I wanted to smack him and tell him he should have taken the blue line.

[jdiddy]

I don't know what website you were looking at, but the blue line is 24/7, 7 days a week.

[Castro Viejo]

CTA | Chicago Transit Authority - Riding CTA

This is the website I was looking at. The CTA website under "Visitor Information" and "Riding CTA trains."

You'd think the most accurate information provided would be for visitors to the city. Oops... I guess budget cuts run deep at the CTA and the guy updating the website got laid off.

[Drover]

There are effectively three branches of the Blue Line, one of which largely duplicates the Pink Line that runs out to Cicero. That is the one that only runs on weekdays, and only during rush hour at that. The branch that runs from O'Hare to downtown runs 24/7.

[Castro Viejo]

Thanks. I've gotta say, of all the other places I've ever lived, the L can be about as confusing as the New York City subway is to an out of towner. Most other places have fairly simple layouts without branches, spurs, stop-skip service, rush hour tracks, etc.

Oy vey...

See you soon!

[Drover]

It's really less complicated than it sounds. We don't have skip-stops (any more anyway -- we used to up until the early 90s), only two lines have spurs (Green and Blue) and the signs on the train will tell you which spur it is destined for, and the spur branch of the Blue Line is the only "rush-hour only" service line. And again, that's because it largely duplicates an existing line so that branch still gets off-peak coverage.

So, uh.... yeah, it's less complicated than it sounds.

EDIT: Ah crap, the Purple Line service to downtown is also "rush hour only." but it's still less complicated than it sounds. Trust me.

[Castro Viejo]

It'd better be 'cause I'll be knocking on your door in Forest Park asking you to direct me to the L station.

I guess I'm looking forward to the two-hour ride. It goes down the Ike, no?

Any tips to not look like a target? I guess it's kind of hard to do when you're carrying several bags, suitcases, etc.