Travel Information
Megabus-www.megabus.com
If you are traveling to Chicago from the Midwest, you might want to check out Megabus, a low-cost daily express bus service in the US and Canada. A round trip ticket can be purchased for as little as $20. The following Midwest cities have service to and from Chicago, IL.
- Minneapolis, MN
- Madison and Milwaukee, WI
- Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis, MO
- Detroit and Ann Arbor, MI
- Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo, OH
- Champaign and Normal, IL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Memphis, TN
Passengers are advised that megabus.com will accept up to one piece of luggage per passenger. For guidance this should be no more than the size of a standard suitcase and should not weigh more than 50 pounds. Passengers can also take on board one small piece of luggage that will fit in the overhead storage compartment. Please be advised that passengers wishing to travel with more luggage than this may have items refused, depending on the availability of space. Passengers who have walking difficulties and those passengers who normally use wheelchairs are very welcome on Megabus. For passengers with walking difficulties, the driver will assist you to climb a few steps into the bus and help you into your seat. You should purchase your ticket on megabus.com in the usual way. If you normally use a wheelchair and are able to climb the few steps into the bus, we will store your wheelchair in the luggage bay and the driver will help you into your seat.
However, if you normally use a wheelchair and you need to remain in it for your trip on the Megabus, please do NOT purchase your ticket on megabus.com, but call 877-GO2-MEGA and explain to the customer service agent the date, time and destination of your travel plans. Please have your credit card handy. The agent will check that there is space on the trip you want. If there is room on the trip, then a bus with a wheelchair lift will be allocated to that trip. If the trip you want is full, the agent will suggest another departure. Please also tell the agent if a personal care attendant (PCA) will be accompanying you and a reservation will also be made for them. It is very important that you make your reservation as early as possible, but no less than 48 hours before the date of intended travel.
Please be sure to read the Terms and Conditions carefully and thoroughly. AASC assumes no responsibility for your use of any particular airline, bus line or train provider.
Airports
Chicago Midway International Airport is conveniently located 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. Midway's main terminal building is a brand new facility with three new concourses: A, B and C. Information booths are located throughout the terminal building on ticketing, bag claim and concessions areas. The CTA Orange line provides train service to Midway. In addition there are a variety of ground transportation options to/from the airport including bus, taxicab and limousine. Please stop by the information booth on the bag claim level near Door 3 LL for more information.
Located just 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, O'Hare International Airport is accessible via local mass transit lines (CTA Blue line), regional trains and buses, downtown and suburban shuttles and interstate highways. Most ground transportation access areas are located at the main entrance for each terminal.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)-www.transitchicago.com
Buses
Most routes run daily through late evening, every 10 to 20 minutes. All routes have time tables. Always check the destination sign; not all buses travel to the end of the line. Also, a few routes have branches. Buses stop about every two blocks at posted signs, which give basic route and service information. The Owl symbol indicates all-night service (Owl service runs every 30 minutes). All routes are handicap accessible. Operators deploy lifts and ramps on request. All stops are announced. All buses have bike racks.
Trains
Each rail line has a color name. Most lines run daily, every 7 to 10 minutes, and every 10 to 15 minutes in later evenings. There are free connections between all rail lines. Handicap accessible stations are marked. At stations, a Customer Assistant or Security Guard is on duty to help you. Customer Assistance call buttons are located near turnstiles and on platforms. Obtain a CTA system map or a timetable from rail station brochure racks. Train frequencies are posted. Signs on stations indicate rail routes and destinations. Trains are marked with front and side signs indicating rail line color and destination. Rail maps are posted in all rail cars. Stops and connections are announced.
