Metra station parking on way to Chicago from Bloomington

I am driving up to Chicago from Bloomington and staying at the Allerton Hotel downtown but I would rather not pay the $50/night parking fee if possible. Is there a metra station on my way (taking 55 up) close to the city that I can park at and jump on the Metra or L and take it downtown close to the Allerton?

Metra station parking on way to Chicago from Bloomington

Most lots at the Metra stations are owned by the municipalities in which they%26#39;re located and aren%26#39;t set-up for overnight parking as parking fees must be paid daily. In addition, many of the spaces are leased M-F and the few that are left fill quickly.

One option that%26#39;s less expensive than hotels is the Millennium Park Garages. They%26#39;re around $20-$25 per day. From there, you can catch a cab or any northbound bus at the corner of Michigan %26amp; Randolph to the Allerton. Enter the garage from northbound Columbus Drive north of Washington. You can find a map and rate info at www.MillenniumGarages.com.

Metra station parking on way to Chicago from Bloomington

Maybe you could park at Midway and take the Orange Line. The airport economy lots are $14/day. Don%26#39;t park in the CTA lot, since I don%26#39;t think that it is set up for parking for more than 24 hours.

Having grown-up in Bloomington and now living in the Chicago area I have made the trip several times, I hope I can help you out as I have been requested to help on this topic several times with family members.

First, I would agree with the previous posters that it is going to be hard to use Metra because their lots are controlled by local municapalities and usually do not allow for overnight parking.

If you have your heart set on a train, why not Amtrak out of Bloomington/Normal? It goes into the same station that many Metra trains do. However, I am guessing the schedules do not match with your times (as is often the case).

Another option would be to take the ISU shuttle to Ohare and then transfer into the Blue Line. It is a Peoria Charter shuttle. For more info, check out... http://www.isaatisu.com/GettingToISU.aspx.

If cost is the real concern, Have you considered leaving your car at the Millennium Park Garage. I have left my car here over night safely a few times while spending the night downtown and it is only $23/per 24hrs. That is one of the cheapest %26amp; safest garages in the city and not much more than you would pay to park in the burbs and take Metra in for a 1 night stay. It is also the cloest option to your hotel.

Another alternative is right by Ohare. There is a park and ride at Cumberland and the Kennedy Expressway that charges $12 24/hr and usually has ample parking. You would just take the Blue line into the city from there.

What day(s) of the week do you need to park? If it%26#39;s a weekend, you may have some luck w/ municipal Metra parking (e.g. Glen Ellyn or Lisle).

Sorry I am just now responding to this. I appreciate all of the suggestions. We did look into possibly taking the Amtrak but there is 20-25 of us coming up for a bachelor party/Cubs game that day so we couldn%26#39;t find a time that fit. We are coming up April 18th so if anyone thinks of anything else before than let me know. It sounds like the best thing to do is to try the millenium garage or park at Ohare. Where would I park if we went to Ohare? Thanks again!

You don%26#39;t want to park at O%26#39;hare. You%26#39;ll park at the Cumberland station on the CTA blue line. $12 for 24 hours - transitchicago.com/riding_cta/…blueline

I have to ask this: How many vehicles are you driving to transport these 20-25 people? You mention above that *you* (and I read that as you alone) are driving them up here. Is this in a bus or a motorhome?

You should be aware that there are height, length and weight restrictions at many parking facilities.

We are all carpooling in our own vehicles so a large vehicle will not be a problem. Thanks though

If we did do the park and ride at Cumberland what El Lines would we need to take to get to the Allerton Hotel which is at 701 N. Michigan Ave?

April 18 is a Saturday, so I am 99% sure that you will have no trouble parking safely and legally overnight at Glen Ellyn or Lisle Metra lots, both near I-355 @ I-88. The Metra website has parking contact phone #%26#39;s.

Regardless of which train you take (CTA or Metra), you%26#39;re probably going to want to take a short cab ride to the Allerton.