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Transportation from Chicago to Milwaukee question

Weston1283Weston1283 Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 4,635
in The Porch
Hi,

I am attending the Milwaukee show from out of town. I got round trip airfare to chicago for under 100 bucks and booked it since I know Milwaukee isn't a far drive. I was wondering if there are any cheap options (trains, bus, etc) to get from Chicago to Milwaukee. I would rent a car, but I am under 25 and it is crazy expensive. Can any Chicago folk give me some advice? Thanks

Additional info: My flight gets into OHare at 11:30 AM Monday and departs Tuesday morning from Midway at 6:00 AM (planning on heading back to airport after show and spending night in airport)
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2021: Asbury Park / Ohana Encore 1 / Ohana Encore 2
2022: Phoenix / LA I / LA II / Quebec City / Ottawa / New York City / Camden / Nashville / St. Louis / Denver
2023: St. Paul II

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    PRLJM1PRLJM1 Posts: 584
    The Amtrak Hiawatha I believe.
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    GratefulJamGratefulJam Posts: 1,784
    i wouod be learry of flying in and around chicago unless you have PLENTY of time as weather can jam everything up almost enytime of year. one set of thunderstorms and you will be SOL.. just an FYI...
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    covered in blisscovered in bliss chi-caw-go Posts: 1,330
    PRLJM1 said:

    The Amtrak Hiawatha I believe.

    Yep. Amtrak Hiawatha from Union Station in Chicago to the Intermodal station in Milwaukee. You do NOT want the airport station! The first train back home isn't until 6 am Tuesday, tho.

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    releaseNYreleaseNY In my private universe Posts: 153
    edited September 2014
    A few years ago I took the Bolt bus from Chicago to Milwaukee. Think it cost me $30 round trip.
    you paid to get in, you're free to leave.
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    covered in blisscovered in bliss chi-caw-go Posts: 1,330
    releaseNY said:

    A few years ago I took the Bolt bus from Chicago to Milwaukee. Think it cost me $30 round trip.

    I think they're megabus now and that's another option. There is also greyhound, and they have a bus back to Chicago at 1:55 am. I would never take it...
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    releaseNYreleaseNY In my private universe Posts: 153
    covered in bliss said:

    releaseNY said:

    A few years ago I took the Bolt bus from Chicago to Milwaukee. Think it cost me $30 round trip.

    I think they're megabus now and that's another option. There is also greyhound, and they have a bus back to Chicago at 1:55 am. I would never take it...
    Oh hmmm yes it was likely Megabus. Same concept. My friend got her tix way earlier than I did and it prob cost her $10. Was more expensive closer to shows. We did stay in Milwaukee and took the bus back the next day. Never considered going back after show.
    you paid to get in, you're free to leave.
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    jerparker20jerparker20 St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,406
    I drove from Milwaukee to Chicago in late July and it was nothing but road construction. Don't know if it cleared up or not.

    I also fly in and out of Midway a lot for work. The place can be an absolute mess...

    With your tight schedule, I, myself would look into rerouting the flight to Milwaukee. Less of a headache
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    CM189191CM189191 Minneapolis via Chicago Posts: 6,793
    GratefulJam said:

    i wouod be learry of flying in and around chicago unless you have PLENTY of time as weather can jam everything up almost enytime of year. one set of thunderstorms and you will be SOL.. just an FYI...

    True...a butterfly sneezes in L.A.; and flights in/out of o'hare get delayed like 2 hours.

    But if you're on time, you should try the train.
    WI 6/27/98 WI 10/8/00 MO 10/11/00 IL 4/23/03 MN 6/26/06 MN 6/27/06 WI 6/30/06 IL 8/5/07 IL 8/21/08 (EV) IL 8/22/08 (EV) IL 8/23/09 IL 8/24/09 IN 5/7/10 IL 6/28/11 (EV) IL 6/29/11 (EV) WI 9/3/11 WI 9/4/11 IL 7/19/13 NE 10/09/14 IL 10/17/14 MN 10/19/14 FL 4/11/16 IL 8/20/16 IL 8/22/16 IL 08/18/18 IL 08/20/18 IT 07/05/2020 AT 07/07/2020
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    Edved007Edved007 Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,023
    If you stick with Chicago the Hiawatha train is the easiest and most reliable. I take it for work all the time. It's $48 round trip (or $24 one way…no discount for round trip) and leaves about every two hours during the week from Union station, and it takes 90 mins. If you are planning on taking public transit from the airport to union station, make sure you have PLENTY of time. Chicago can be a total mess as others have said.
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    15' - 11/20, 11/22
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    17' - 4/7
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    21' - 10/1, 10/2
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    given2fly23given2fly23 Evanston, IL Posts: 5,892
    Neither Ohare nor Midway are anywhere near downtown Chicago or Union Station. If you have to stick with this flight and can't catch a ride from someone, your best bet is:

    Ohare - take the CTA Blue line to downtown to catch the Amtrak mentioned.

    After the show - Amtrak back to downtown, then CTA Orange line to Midway.

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    Weston1283Weston1283 Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 4,635
    Awesome, thanks everyone for the input!
    2010: Cleveland
    2012: Atlanta
    2013: London ONT / Wrigley Field / Pittsburgh / Buffalo / San Diego / Los Angeles I / Los Angeles II
    2014: Cincinnati / St. Louis / Tulsa / Lincoln / Detroit / Denver
    2015: New York City
    2016: Ft. Lauderdale / Miami / Jacksonville / Greenville / Hampton / Columbia / Lexington / Philly II / New York City II / Toronto II / Bonnaroo / Telluride / Fenway I / Wrigley I / Wrigley - II / TOTD - Philadelphia, San Francisco
    2017: Ohana Fest (EV)
    2018: Amsterdam I / Amsterdam II / Seattle I / Seattle II / Boston I / Boston II
    2021: Asbury Park / Ohana Encore 1 / Ohana Encore 2
    2022: Phoenix / LA I / LA II / Quebec City / Ottawa / New York City / Camden / Nashville / St. Louis / Denver
    2023: St. Paul II
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    EddieshometownEddieshometown Evanston, IL Posts: 974
    edited September 2014
    The Hiawatha also stops in Glenview which is northeast of Ohare. Might require taking a taxi or two separate buses. The blue line is easier but takes you the wrong direction.

    Another option greyhound or megabus from Cumberland station to milwaukee. Takes longer than train but cheaper
    Post edited by Eddieshometown on
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    jdopjjdopj Posts: 649
    I live in Milwaukee and go to Chicago a lot for shows. I am 99% sure that there isn't a Hiawatha train that leaves late enough the night of the show or early enough the next day to get back for your flight. Other than the Metra, which the closest stop is Kenosha, I think driving is your best option. Traffic shouldn't be a big issue at the times you would be driving. Hope that helps.
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