Help with Train from O'Hare to Waukegan (Chicago, Evanston: hotel, transfer to)

[Bostonian08]

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to transit from OHD to Waukegan. Google map trip planner tells me to take Blue Line to Irving Park, transfer to Metra NW to Clybourn, then the Metra North to Waukegan.

Is there an safety issue at the Irving Park Station? How bout Clybourn? I've done the Blue line before going directly to downtown to Washington Station then hoofing from Wash to Ogilvie. Is there a better way? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

...Is there an safety issue at the Irving Park Station? How bout Clybourn?...

...Is there a better way? Any suggestions?...

Not really.

Yes. Take a cab. It will save you loads of time. The thing is it will not be very cheap.

The only other option IMO is to take the 250 Dempster bus from O'Hare to Evanston. You can get on the Metra train from Evanston to get to Waukegan.

http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules...sp?RouteNo=250

http://metrarail.com/content/metra/e.../up-n/map.html

[Hatchetman]

That bus idea might work. Metra runs very infrequently on the weekends I'm sure you know.

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Not really.

Yes. Take a cab. It will save you loads of time. The thing is it will not be very cheap.

The only other option IMO is to take the 250 Dempster bus from O'Hare to Evanston. You can get on the Metra train from Evanston to get to Waukegan.

Pace Bus - Route 250 - Dempster Street

Metra Union Pacific North (UP-N) Line Map

Thanks av, I'll check the route.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to transit from OHD to Waukegan. Google map trip planner tells me to take Blue Line to Irving Park, transfer to Metra NW to Clybourn, then the Metra North to Waukegan.

Is there an safety issue at the Irving Park Station? How bout Clybourn? I've done the Blue line before going directly to downtown to Washington Station then hoofing from Wash to Ogilvie. Is there a better way? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

That turns a 40-to minute cab ride into a 3 hour tour / wait for trains that are not set-up to handle air travellers. Metra is a commuter line that takes folks from the suburban spokes to the Chicago Hub mostly on older pre-airline rail ways. Getting to downtown from O'Hare works OK, but trying to get suburb-to-suburb is like using a broom to brush your teeth -- it'll probably get the job done but it will leave your mouth tasting funny and pretty sore...

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by Hatchetman

That bus idea might work. Metra runs very infrequently on the weekends I'm sure you know.

Thanks HM, no actually I didn't know that. I'll check the schedule.

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by chet everett

That turns a 40-to minute cab ride into a 3 hour tour / wait for trains that are not set-up to handle air travellers. Metra is a commuter line that takes folks from the suburban spokes to the Chicago Hub mostly on older pre-airline rail ways. Getting to downtown from O'Hare works OK, but trying to get suburb-to-suburb is like using a broom to brush your teeth -- it'll probably get the job done but it will leave your mouth tasting funny and pretty sore...

thanks for the insight CHet.

[cubssoxfan]

If it is running, you can take Metra North Central from O'Hare
North Central Service (NCS) Schedule
Then walk the short distance from Union Station to Ogilvie for the Metra North line. I doubt it will fit your schedule, but if it does, it may work OK.
PS to get to Metra O'Hare station, you take a remote parking lot shuttle bus from the remote parking shuttle train. Trains are right outside the airport terminals.

[It'sAutomatic]

I would take the blue line east to Jefferson Park station, then take the 81 Lawrence bus east to the Ravenswood Metra stop. I'd give yourself 1.25 hours to get from the Ohare station to the Metra station. It'll be $2.50 total. And you don't have to attempt to time yourself between 2 Metra trains this way, which would be challenging. The stations involved are perfectly safe as well.

[Bostonian08]

Thanks for the advice all. I decided to go Blue Line to Washington St Station and enjoy the stroll to Ogilvie. As it turned out the Washington Station was closed so I had a nice stroll from Clark to Ogilvie. Had just enough time to enjoy the sights along the way, eat, and then catch the poky Metra North. The trip wasn't quick like a cab directly from OHD to Waukegan, but I was in no hurry to get to WAU just to sit in this hotel room. Sitting on the train or sitting in the room, what's the difference really? The sightseeing was nice. here's a few snaps from the stroll. Thanks again all.





1477!




Nice Building!