Chicago Hotels
Washington,DC Hotels
Information
Getting Around
Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located in the north-western-most corner of Chicago, 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop. It is a primary hub for United Airlines, but also services American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways flights from the UK. Chicago also has a second airport, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), which is about 10 miles closer to the Loop, the main business and financial district, however, there are no direct services into this airport from the UK.
CTA Trains The elevated train service, nicknamed the El, connects both airports with the city. Blue line into O'Hare and the Orange line into Midway. Visitors can purchase a one-way fare, or 1-5 Day CTA Visitors Pass. Enjoy unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains. Visitor passes are sold at many Chicago venues as well as selected museums, tourist attractions and O'Hare and Midway airports.
Metra Commuter Rail Metra system makes travelling to and from downtown Chicago and its surrounding areas easy. The 10-Rides Ticket saves 15% over one-way fares and can be shared. The Weekend Pass is good for unlimited rides on all Metra lines on both Saturday and Sunday.
Amtrak offers train services to many Illinois destinations and attractions, making it a cost-effective alternative to travelling by car, bus or plane.
Free Trolleys You don't need a ticket to get from place to place in Chicago. Just look for the "Free Trolley" sign at popular Chicago destinations like Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Lincoln Park Zoo, Michigan Avenue and State Street. Summer service is usually from late May to early September and during the winter holiday season.
Washington,DC
Two major international airports serve the Capital Region: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), 26 miles west of downtown Washington, DC in northern Virginia, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Maryland, located 29 miles northeast of Washington and 10 miles south of Baltimore. The MARC Train travels between BWI and downtown Washington’s Union Station Monday through Friday. Individuals arriving in the Washington area from other USA travel destinations may also use Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), conveniently located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington in northern Virginia. Ronald Reagan is accessible by Metrorail, the greater Washington region’s rapid-transit system.
Metrorail is the most heavily used Washington, DC transportation service. Operating five different lines throughout the city and into the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, Metro is extremely easy to use. Each traveller is required to possess his or her own fare card, which are available for purchase at all Metro stations. Depending on the time of day and distance travelled, each journey will cost between $1.35 and $2.35. One-day Metro passes are also available for $7.80, and allow unlimited journeys from 9:30am until the Metro closes
Taxis Throughout the Capital Region’s urban centres, taxis are a convenient, popular form of USA transportation. Taxis can generally be hailed on the street, although it is a good idea to bring along the number of a local taxi company if visiting a more remote neighbourhood. Tipping taxi drivers is customary throughout the country and highly appreciated.
Rail Rail service is available throughout the Capital Region and beyond on the nationwide Amtrak system. With its hub at Washington, DC's Union Station, Amtrak's high speed Acela service provides multiple daily connections to Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Within the Capital Region itself, Amtrak offers “The Carolinian,” which serves Baltimore, BWI Airport, Washington, DC and the cities of Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Petersburg in Virginia; “The Crescent,” which offers transportation between Baltimore, Washington, DC and the cities of Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville in Virginia; and the “Northeast Regional,” offering service to Baltimore, BWI Airport, Washington, DC, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Williamsburg, terminating in Newport News, Virginia. A new line now offers service to Lynchburg, Virginia as well. Virginia Railway Express provides commuter rail service weekdays between Fredericksburg and Manassas Virginia and downtown Washington, DC. The MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) Train Service operates three lines throughout Maryland and downtown Washington, DC, with service available Monday through Friday.
Bus Shuttle bus services connect the international airports with nearby cities, and THG Holidays can pre-book your transportation from airport to your chosen hotel. Bus routes form part of the efficient public transport system throughout the region.
