For driving directions, please go here.

The following information is listed below:

*About O'Hare and Midway airports.
*Picking up from O'Hare and Midway airports.
*Traveling from O'Hare and Midway to the
..Westin by train.
*Traveling from O'Hare and Midway to the
.. Westin by taxi.
*Traveling by bus or train to the convention.

Chicago is served by two major airports:
O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport.

Midway being the smaller airport, more focused on discount carriers. For general information about the airports, as well as traffic and parking information, terminal maps, and available services, see the O'Hare website or the Midway website. When booking your tickets, remember that O'Hare Airport is 15 miles from the Westin, but Midway is 38 miles from the Westin. Cab fares and travel times should be figured in.

Picking Up Someone From O'Hare or Midway

If you are picking up someone from O'Hare, it is recommended that you use the Kiss-n-Fly. Arriving passengers will need to take a five-minute ride on the ATS (Airport Transit System monorail) from the terminals to the end of the line. A map is available here (PDF link).

Cars are permitted to idle at the O'Hare Kiss-n-Fly, though unattended vehicles will be towed. Another alternative is the O'Hare Cell Phone Lot (by Parking Lot F, just east of Mannheim Rd.), where you can wait until the person you are meeting arrives and calls you, then you can drive to the terminal and pick them up.

Note that during peak arrival/departure times, I-190/O'Hare Terminal Access Road gets terribly congested and driving can be a bit...exciting. Using the Kiss-n-Fly option is highly recommended.

If you are picking up someone from Midway, they provide a Cell Phone Lot at 61st St and Cicero Ave.

 

O'Hare or Midway To the Westin By Train

Note: All train options require that you are a paying guest at the Westin Chicago North Shore to request a shuttle!

You have two options to get to the Westin by train from O'Hare. The simplest option is to catch Metra's North Central Service train from the O'Hare Transfer station (take the Airport Transit System monorail to the end, then transfer to the free shuttle bus to Lot F, which will also take you to the Metra station. Once on the train, purchase a ticket from the conductor; the fare will be $3.35. You will be going to the Wheeling station (about 15 minutes). Once at the Wheeling station, call the Westin Chicago North Shore at (847) 777-6500 and request a shuttle to pick you up.

Alas, the North Central Service line runs infrequently, and not at all on weekends. There is an alternative, though. From the O'Hare terminals, follow the signs to the Chicago Transit Authority train, the Blue Line. Prior to boarding the train, purchase a ticket for $2.00 at the machines in the station. Exact change will be required! Take the Blue Line to the Montrose station (about 24 minutes). Once on the Montrose platform, take the escalators to street level. Walk approximately 300 yards west on Montrose Ave. (as shown on this map) then take the stairs up to the Metra Mayfair station. From here, take the Metra Milwaukee District North train to the Lake Cook Road station (about 30 minutes). Again, pay the conductor on the train; the fare will be $3.80. Once at the Lake Cook Road station, call the Westin Chicago North Shore at (847) 777-6500 and request a shuttle to pick you up. (A note about the Mayfair station: it is pretty much just a platform with no shelter. In the event of bad weather, this option is not recommended)

To get from Midway to the Westin by train takes a while but it is relatively simple. From the Midway terminal, follow the signs to the Chicago Transit Authority train, the Orange Line. Prior to boarding the train, purchase a ticket for $2.00 at the machines in the station. Exact change will be required! Take the Orange Line to the Quincy/Wells station (about 25 minutes). Once on the Quincy/Wells platform, walk downstairs and then south a half-block to W. Jackson Blvd. Walk three blocks west on W. Jackson Blvd. (as shown on this map) to Union Station. Locate the Metra ticket windows (map of Union Station - PDF link) and purchase a ticket on either the North Central Service train (to the Wheeling station - $4.30) or the Milwaukee District North (to the Lake Cook Road station - $3.80). Follow the directions above to get to the Westin.

 

O'Hare or Midway To the Westin By Taxi

There are three possibilities to help you get from O'Hare or Midway:

*My Chauffeur Limousine Service: (800-244-6200)
. .O'Hare: $41.50 for 1 person
. .O'Hare: $63.50 for up to 3 people
. .Midway: $73.40 for one person
. .Midway: $95.40 for up to 3 people
*All Star Taxi and Limo Service: (888-533-4240)
. .O'Hare: $23
. Midway: $46
*American Taxi: (800-244-1177)
. .O'Hare: $29 - $33;
. .Midway: $57 - $63
. .No additional charge for extra passengers or for . . . . . tolls. A van can be requested for an additional . . . . . . $8.00
*American Priority Limousine Service (630 - 401 - 3342)
. O'Hare: $40.00 one way for 1 person/$7 for each .
. . additional person
. Midway: $67.00 one way for 1 person/$7 for each .
. . additional person

Please note the rates listed above are advisory only and provided for relative comparison only. We advise that you call the livery service directly with any questions about pricing or availability.

Arriving By Bus or Train

If you are traveling by Amtrak or Megabus, you will be arriving in Chicago at Union Station. Locate the Metra ticket windows (map of Union Station - PDF link) and purchase a ticket on either the North Central Service train (to the Wheeling station - $4.30) or the Milwaukee District North (to the Lake Cook Road station - $3.80). Follow the directions above to get to the Westin.

If you are traveling by Greyhound Bus Lines, you can either walk the six blocks to Union Station (as shown on this map) or you can catch a Chicago Transit Authority bus (either #7, #60, #156, or #157) on the southwest corner of Harrison and Jefferson for a short ride to Union Station ($2.00, exact change needed).

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi from either Unions Station on the Greyhound Terminal to the Westin Chicago North Shore. Taxis offer fixed rates from The Loop (downtown Chicago):

All Star Taxi and Limo Service (888-533-4240) - $46.00
American Taxi (800-244-1177) - $56.00

Please note the rates listed above are advisory only and provided for relative comparison only. We advise that you call the livery service directly with any questions about pricing or availability.

Questions? We can provide travel advice until Tuesday before the convention (at which point e-mail contact will be unreliable, if not nonexistent). Just drop us an e-mail!