TRAVEL INFORMATION
If you will be flying to Chicago, we recommend flying into one of Chicago’s two international airports, O’Hare International Airport (ORD), or Midway International Airport (MDW).
From either airport, there are several ways to get to your hotel or the zoo. During rush hour (which is approximately 7-9 am, 4-7 pm, Monday-Friday), public transportation will be faster, due to heavy traffic. At all other times, a taxi ride will take approximately 45 minutes from either airport to downtown.
From this point on, the directions are given from the airports to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. If you are staying somewhere else, you may need to adjust accordingly. We recommend using Google Maps and CTA Bus Tracker to plan your route. (There is only a beta version of CTA Train Tracker, but the trains come at regular intervals. You can also track trains and buses by text message (SMS)). You may also find it helpful to download a transit tracker app for your smartphone (both iPhone and Android apps are available).
Conference hotel address
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: +1 (888) 627-7106
Taxi
Taking a taxi is the easiest, though not necessarily the quickest (depending on time of day), nor the cheapest option. Please make sure to use the designated Taxi Stands to ensure you have a licensed driver. For your protection, do not accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or on the departure level (second level) of the terminal roadways. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.
O’Hare
There are Taxi stands at the lower-level curb front (outside of baggage claim) at each terminal. Taxi service is available to the City of Chicago and suburban destinations.
Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from O'Hare to downtown Chicago is $30-40.
For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website.
For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: 1.855.WAV.1010
Shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip.
Midway
Taxi stands are located on the lower level curbfront of the terminals, and taxis are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from Midway to downtown Chicago is $28-30.
For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website.
For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: United Dispatch at 1.800.928.1010
Shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip. Shared ride fares from Midway include:
Downtown ($18 per person)
McCormick Place ($18 per person)
O'Hare International Airport ($35 per person)
Limousine
Limousines are available for both City of Chicago and suburban destinations.
Contact your company of choice near the ride boards to make reservations. You may also reference the list of pre-arranged limousine services posted in both airports. At O’Hare the list is posted near the airport information booths across from Door C, located on the lower-level of each terminal. At Midway, the list is posted at the Ground Transportation Information Booth located on the Baggage Claim level near carousel #4.
If you have pre-arranged a pick-up with a limousine company, you should call the service once you have claimed your luggage. They will provide you with a license plate number, a description of the car, and/or a door number where you can meet the driver. Depending on airport traffic, it can take between 5 and 20 minutes for the vehicle to get to the designated pickup location. Note: at O’Hare, liveries can only meet passengers at designated areas on the lower level center lane (lane 2).
Some limousine services can arrange to have their drivers meet arriving passengers in the baggage claim area or in other pre-designated pick up locations within the baggage claim area. The driver can then assist with luggage and take the passenger directly to the vehicle. O'Hare provides designated livery parking directly across from each of the terminals. It is typically a 5 to 7 minute walk to the vehicle. Midway provides convenient livery parking, and it typically requires a 5 to 7 minute walk to the vehicle.
Ride-sharing Services
Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft now can provide transport to and from Chicago-area airports. Please see below for information and guidelines on each service’s policies and pick-up locations:
Uber: https://newsroom.uber.com/us-illinois/airportpickups/
Lyft: https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/articles/214037068-Chicago-O-Hare-ORD-Airport-Regulations
Shuttle
You can take a shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel. These run at regular intervals and are cheaper than a taxi (starting at $14). If possible, it is best to reserve a seat ahead of time (see below):
O’Hare
Go Airport Express offers daily, door-to-door service to/from O'Hare and most city and suburban neighborhoods. They begin operations during the early morning hours and depart approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from each terminal. Shuttles pick up outside the Baggage Claim area in the innermost lane of the lower level roadways of the Domestic and International Terminals. Advanced notice is strongly urged. To contact Go Airport Express, call 1-888-284-3826 or visit their website.
Coach USA Tri State/United Limo offers hourly service between O'Hare and Midway from early morning to late evening. Allow at least one hour for travel time between O'Hare and Midway. Location: Bus/Shuttle Center on Level 1 of the Main Parking Garage. For service and fare information, please visit their website. To contact Coach USA Tri State/United Limo call: 1.800.248.8747.
Midway
Go Airport Express offers door-to-door service to and from Midway and most city and suburban neighborhoods from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Departures are about every 15 minutes. The fare to the city from Midway is approximately $27. Please call Go Airport Express directly at the numbers below for specific departure information. To contact Go Airport Express, call 773-247-1200 or 888-284-3826, or visit their website. Go Airport Express is located at Lower Level Arrivals door #3. The pickup location is located outside door #3 on the inside lane. Lift-equipped vehicles are available on request for passengers with disabilities. Advanced notice is strongly suggested.
Omega Airport Shuttle offers hourly service between Midway and O'Hare airports from the morning until late evening. Allow at least one hour for travel time between Midway and O'Hare. Exact times and locations are available on the Omega website. Omega shuttles pick up at Lower Level Arrivals door #3, outside of the Southwest Airlines baggage claim. To contact Omega Airport Shuttle call 773-734-6688 for their latest information or visit their website.
Public transportation
Using public transportation is the cheapest option, and possibly the fastest, but may be slightly less convenient if you are new to the city.
From O’Hare, you will ride the CTA Blue Line train into the city. This is also called the “L”, Chicago’s elevated track system. The CTA Blue Line terminates at O’Hare so you can get on any train; they all head into the city http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/maps/L-system-map-Mar2015.pdf
Directions from O’Hare to the official conference hotel (Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers) using CTA
- Take the CTA Blue Line towards the city. Exit at the Chicago stop.
- Take a taxi from here, OR…
- Walk to the intersection of Chicago Ave and Milwaukee Ave.
- Take the #66 bus towards Navy Pier from the south side of Chicago Avenue (the bus stop is near the Big Shoulders coffee shop).
- Exit the bus at Illinois and Columbus. Walk to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers (about 3 minutes).
Directions from Midway to the official conference hotel (Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers) using CTA
- Take the CTA Orange Line. Exit at State and Lake.
- Take a taxi to the hotel, OR…
- Walk to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers (about 15 minutes), OR…
- Walk to the intersection of State St and Lake Ave.
- Take the #29 bus towards Navy Pier.
- Exit at Illinois and Columbus, and walk to the hotel (3 minutes).
Rental car
You will not need a car during the conference, as the hotel and Lincoln Park Zoo are not far from each other, and Chicago has a very good public transportation system. Also, parking downtown is expensive. However, if you wish to rent a car, there are a number of options at both airports.
O’Hare rental car options
O'Hare International Airport offers a variety of options for vehicle rentals. Each rental car company offers free shuttle service. The shuttles pick up at the Arrival curbfront located at the lower level outside of Baggage Claim. Each terminal has designated areas on the outermost curb front where shuttles board.
For specific information on hours of operation, please contact the individual rental car companies.
Car Rental Companies Serving O'Hare
Ace
Advantage
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
Firefly
Hertz
National
Payless
Thrifty
Midway rental car options
There are a number of companies available at Midway airport. See the list below:
Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes
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