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Chicago

Milwaukee or Gary
7531598246 17 Reviews 503 reads
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Milwaukee is a pretty nice city and you can catch Amtrak from there I believe.

Gary has some cheap airfares if you keep your eyes open, unfortunately you won't want to spend a night in Gary LOL.

LoveLaneysRedLightShow827 reads

Hola Chicagoans - I travel frequently to the Northeast from Florida and was just turned on to the idea of flying into a smaller, less expensive airport and then taking the train into NYC, DC, Philly, Boston etc. A light bulb went off over me head and I kind of kicked myself for never having thought of it before. Anyhow, I  was looking for some insight on which neighboring city I might fly into for a one tour night before grabbing a train into Chicago? It would be ideal if the place I fly into has a healthy community of hobbyists and providers of course. ; )  

Thank you in advance for your replies!!
xo Love Laney

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seeker000553 reads

Not sure how much lower airfare would be, but it's about 90 miles NW of downtown Chicago, and a big enough city you should be able to attract a date or two for one night.

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EveAlexander608 reads

Our dear OP is looking for a train, and I suspect she would not want to rent a car, or take the bus. The proposed train connecting Rockford to Chicago is not expected to open until 2014.

Also, the stretch of I-90 between Rockford and Chicago is arguably one of the most boring stretches of drivable road, ever. I have to make my way up there this weekend for a workshop, and as excited as I am about the course, I'm dreading the drive. :-/

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Dr Who revived559 reads

But FWIW it's not all that bad.  I have driven that more times than I can count...and didn't stop in Rockford but went to Madison.  Actually that was interesting during deer hunting season....remind me to tell you that story some time.

An even more boring drive is from ChiTown to Detroit.  Talk about depressing  LOL   I did that trip as often as the Madison trip...sheesh  :D

The real fun on the trip to Detroit was that most of the time it was winter.  And when the lake snow belt was turing on...talk about white knuckling it.  And you know how I hate driving  :D
 

Posted By: EveAlexander
Our dear OP is looking for a train, and I suspect she would not want to rent a car, or take the bus. The proposed train connecting Rockford to Chicago is not expected to open until 2014.  
   
 Also, the stretch of I-90 between Rockford and Chicago is arguably one of the most boring stretches of drivable road, ever. I have to make my way up there this weekend for a workshop, and as excited as I am about the course, I'm dreading the drive. :-/

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ed2000493 reads

Posted By: ChgoCPA
But FWIW it's not all that bad.  . . .  
   
 An even more boring drive is from ChiTown to Detroit.  Talk about depressing  LOL    
Posted By: EveAlexander
. . .  Also, the stretch of I-90 between Rockford and Chicago is arguably one of the most boring stretches of drivable road, ever. /
Or maybe it's because I live at the intersection of I-80 and I-88 and I'm used to the beautiful farm scenery.  ;)

If one wants the cheapest airfare into Chicago then Southwest through Midway is a good bet.

Also, check out Allegiant Air from Tampa to Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria, South Bend or Des Moines. They offer very cheap tickets but on limited schedules. It's a quick unencumbered AMTRAK bus trip from the Quad Cities to the AMTRAK station in Galesburg.

Or stop by and see me in the Quad Cities and I'll give you a ride to the Amtrak Station.

-- Modified on 6/25/2013 10:04:03 PM

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sexymarafouru454 reads

United has nonstop flights to Boston for around $220, if you book two weeks ahead.

-- Modified on 6/26/2013 1:24:55 PM

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M.U.Y.A.438 reads

It won't be boring when your holding on for dear life in reduced and/or temporary lanes for the next few years.  If heading north or west, I'd avoid it all together by taking 88 through Dekalb or 94 through Milwaukee (also under construction).  The thought of riding a bus from Rockford through that mess makes my skin crawl.

As for the original post, I think your entire concept is flawed.  Chicago doesn't have the same network of rail connecting the upper east coast.

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HangingwithBears521 reads

The entire stretch of I-90 between Rockford and Elgin is under construction and down to one lane for long stretches. You'd be lucky to do the 45 MPH construction zone speed limit, long drive.

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liamdoherty462 reads

I might be driving that stretch every day beginning of August. not reallly looking fwd to that, but, I-57, !-55, and I-65 out of Chicago are just as boring.

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liamdoherty484 reads

fly into Chicago 1st....many of the discount airlines SW, Air Tran, etc...can have some pretty good flights....I booked a round trip from NY to CHI last Dec for slightly more tha $200  
Check the internet specials.

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Udo530 reads

Amtrak to Chicago or the Greyhound bus are probably less expensive alternatives.

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Udo443 reads

You actually get many high-end people on the Amtrak that are afraid to fly. The formal dinners are great too!

Posted By: Udo
Amtrak to Chicago or the Greyhound bus are probably less expensive alternatives.

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EveAlexander518 reads

Shows very reasonable one way trips from St Louis, Milwaukee, Springfield (I would also look at Champaign-Urbana), Detroit, and Ann Arbor. All of these might be feasible options, depending on the flight cost difference.

Posted By: LoveLaneysRedLightShow
Hola Chicagoans - I travel frequently to the Northeast from Florida and was just turned on to the idea of flying into a smaller, less expensive airport and then taking the train into NYC, DC, Philly, Boston etc. A light bulb went off over me head and I kind of kicked myself for never having thought of it before. Anyhow, I  was looking for some insight on which neighboring city I might fly into for a one tour night before grabbing a train into Chicago? It would be ideal if the place I fly into has a healthy community of hobbyists and providers of course. ; )  
   
 Thank you in advance for your replies!!  
 xo Love Laney
Related Link: http://www.amtrak.com/low-prices-on-train-tickets-milwaukee-st-louis-chicago

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7531598246504 reads

Milwaukee is a pretty nice city and you can catch Amtrak from there I believe.

Gary has some cheap airfares if you keep your eyes open, unfortunately you won't want to spend a night in Gary LOL.

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SnakePliskken446 reads

After considering the airfare to the "small" city, the price of the train ride, the time spent on the train (added travel time) and the time and expense to get to your hotel.  I have to ask when its all added you (money spent + travel time = savings) is it really worth it?  You have to ask am I really saving that much money?

I'll spent a extra $100, $200 or more to take a 9 hours trip down to 2 hrs.

Thats just my .02

SP

Happy travels...

Posted By: LoveLaneysRedLightShow
Hola Chicagoans - I travel frequently to the Northeast from Florida and was just turned on to the idea of flying into a smaller, less expensive airport and then taking the train into NYC, DC, Philly, Boston etc. A light bulb went off over me head and I kind of kicked myself for never having thought of it before. Anyhow, I  was looking for some insight on which neighboring city I might fly into for a one tour night before grabbing a train into Chicago? It would be ideal if the place I fly into has a healthy community of hobbyists and providers of course. ; )  
   
 Thank you in advance for your replies!!  
 xo Love Laney

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goodwon410 reads

eom

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LoveLaneysRedLightShow521 reads

The feedback is more than I could have asked for so thank you to everyone for what I'm assuming is a warm welcome back (yes, I have been to your lovely little city before). I'll see you in a few weeks!!  

xo Love Laney

Related Link: http://www.lovelaney.com

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