Terminus - Harry Potter Conference

Transportation

Flying to Chicago

Two major airports service Chicago: O’Hare International Airport to the northwest and Midway International Airport to the southwest. O’Hare is a major hub of travel, including international travel, and is serviced by almost all major airlines; if you’re flying United in particular, which maintains a hub at O’Hare, this may be a good choice for you. Midway, however, often features cheaper fares, and Southwest flies into that airport.

Transportation from the Airports

Transportation from both O’Hare and Midway to downtown Chicago is readily available. For both airports, simply follow the airport’s signs to ground transportation.

Elevated Train
Fares for the El are currently $2.00 each way. Automated ticket machines are available at each station.

O'Hare International Airport

Shorter walk (3-4 blocks):

Board the Blue Line, which is the only train option from O’Hare, toward downtown.
When you reach the Jackson Street station, follow the arrows down the tunnel and transfer to the Red Line traveling toward Harrison.
Exit at the Harrison Street station. Take the stairs up to State Street, then turn right onto Harrison.
Cross Wabash Avenue, then turn right onto Michigan Avenue. Keep on the right hand side of Michigan.
Cross Balbo Drive.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past Balbo.

Longer walk, but no train change (5-6 blocks):

Board the Blue Line, which is the only train option from O’Hare, toward downtown.
Exit at the Jackson Street station. Take the stairs marked Jackson Street, which will bring you out onto Dearborn Street. Follow the sign for Jackson Street, and turn left onto Jackson.
Cross State Street and Wabash Avenue.
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue. Keep on the right hand side of Michigan.
Cross Van Buren Street, Congress Drive, Harrison Street (you’ll see a brown sign marked “the Honorable Mike Alexandroff Way.” This is actually Harrison Street) and Balbo Drive.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past Balbo.

Midway International Airport

Board the Orange Line, which is the only train option from Midway, toward downtown.
Exit at the Roosevelt Road station. Turn toward the high-rise buildings (whether you turn left or right will depend upon which side of Roosevelt you come out on).
Cross Wabash Avenue
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue. Stay on the left side of Michigan.
Cross 11th, 9th and 8th Streets.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past 8th Street.

Taxi
Chicago taxis run on meters, so fares may vary depending on route, time of day and traffic, but you should expect to pay $25-$28 to taxi from Midway to downtown Chicago, and approximately $35-$40 from O’Hare. Taxis will usually accommodate 2-4 people, and if you need an accessible vehicle, please call 1-800-281-4466 for transportation to or from either airport. Otherwise, taxis are available first-come, first-serve basis from the lower level of all terminals.

American-United Taxi: 773-248-7600
Checker Cab: 312-243-2537
Yellow Cab: 312-829-4222
Flash Cab: 773-561-1444

Airport Shuttle
Continental Airport Express offers door-to-door service to and from both O’Hare and Midway and most city and suburban neighborhoods from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Departures are about every 15 minutes, and accessible shuttles are available. We recommend calling Continental directly at (866) 596-2699 for more specific information and for reservations. The fare to the city is approximately $25.00 from O’Hare and $19.00 from Midway.

Limousine
Limousines are available from both O’Hare and Midway to downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Prices will vary by airport. Contact your company of choice to make reservations. A handful of companies follow, but Chicago offers many more:

American Limo: 630-920-8888
Amm's Limo: 773-792-1126
Smart Cars: 847-299-3600
O'Hare-Midway Limousine Service: 312-558-1111

Driving to Chicago

Chicago is easily accessible by car, as several interstates run directly through the city. Parking in downtown Chicago, however, is very limited and expensive. Few venues have parking available, and most street parking is very limited. If you choose to drive to Chicago, please take parking costs into account. It costs $41.00 plus tax per day to park at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. Parking is available in economy lots at either O’Hare or Midway airports from about $9-15 per day. More parking information may be available here.

Directions from the East

Take I-80 West.
Crossing into Illinois, merge onto I-90 West (portions toll).
Merge onto I-90 ExpressWest/I-94 Express West/Dan Ryan Expressway West via the exit on the left.
I-90 ExpressWest/I-94 Express West/Dan Ryan Expressway West becomes I-90 West/I-94 West/Dan Ryan Expressway West.
Take the Eisenhower Expressway/I-290 West/Congress Parkway exit, which is exit 51H, toward West Suburbs/Chicago Loop.
Merge onto I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East.
I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East will become West Congress Parkway.
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue. Stay in the right lane.
Cross Harrison Street and Balbo Drive.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past Balbo.

Driving Directions from the West

Take I-80 East.
Merge onto I-88 East, which is exit 4B, toward Sterling/Rock Falls (portions toll).
I-88 East becomes I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East (portions toll).
I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East becomes West Congress Parkway.
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue. Stay in the right lane.
Cross Harrison Street and Balbo Drive.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past Balbo.

Driving Directions from the South

Drive north until you hit I-80.
Then follow the directions from the East or the West, as appropriate.

Driving Directions from the North

Take I-94 East.
Crossing into Illinois, I-94 East becomes I-90 East (portions toll).
Take the Eisenhower Expressway/I-290 West/Congress Parkway exit, which is exit 51H, toward West Suburbs/Chicago Loop.
Merge onto I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East.
I-290 East/Eisenhower Expressway East will become West Congress Parkway.
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue. Stay in the right lane.
Cross Harrison Street and Balbo Drive.
The hotel entrance is approximately 100 feet past Balbo.

Riding to Chicago

Train
Chicago is a major hub for long distance train travel, and many options are available to ride to Chicago the traditional way – by train! Please visit Amtrak’s website for more information.

Bus
Chicago is also a major hub for long distance bus travel. Greyhound offers long-distance bus service to Chicago from many cities across the country. Please visit their website for more information.

Accessible Travel

For additional information on accessible travel, including contact information for accessible taxis and Paratransit as well as airport transportation options, please visit the Easy Access Chicago website.