Find HI-Chicago
Public Transportation
Subway/Train: Chicago Transit Authority / CTA / All trains are called The “L”
- BLUE line, Jackson underground subway
- ORANGE line (northbound), LIBRARY (Van Buren and State) “L” elevated Loop train
- ORANGE line (southbound), ADAMS (Adams and Wabash) “L” elevated Loop train
- RED line, JACKSON and State underground subway
- RED line, HARRISON and State underground subway
- BROWN line, LIBRARY (Van Buren and State) “L” elevated Loop train
- PURPLE line, LIBRARY (Van Buren and State) “L” elevated Loop train
- GREEN line, ADAMS and Wabash “L” elevated Loop train
- PINK line, LIBRARY (Van Buren and State) “L” elevated Loop train
City Bus: Chicago Transit Authority / CTA
Bus routes that have stops close to the hostel:
1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 29, 36, 62, 126, 146
Need more information about public transportation on the subway or buses?
From the Airport
Arriving By Plane O’Hare International Airport – Directions
O’Hare Airport is about 1 hour from downtown Chicago and HI-Chicago.
You have 3 choices for getting to the hostel:
- Subway – CTA, cheapest and often the quickest. The subway, called The “L” is safe between the airports and HI-Chicago
- Shuttle bus – Airport Express (inexpensive)
- Taxi – (more expensive)
International Flights:
- You will arrive at Terminal 5
- Taxi service and Airport Express operate from this terminal
- For the subway you must take the airport tram to Terminal 3.
- Follow the signs to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), subway to Chicago.
- The subway station is underground.
Domestic Flights:
- You will arrive at terminals 1, 2, or 3.
- Taxi service and Airport Express operate from these terminal
- For the subway, follow the signs to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), subway to Chicago
- The subway station is underground.
Airport Express Shuttle Bus
Check in at the Airport Express desk near the baggage claim area on the lower level of your terminal. Tell them you are going to Hostelling International Chicago hostel at Congress and Wabash, near the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. 24 East Congress Parkway.
- 1 person: $31 one way from O’Hare to HI-Chicago, $29 one way from HI-Chicago to O’Hare, $55 roundtrip
- 2 persons: $22 per person one way from O’Hare to HI-Chicago, $20 per person one way from HI-Chicago to O’Hare, $39 per person roundtrip
- 3 or more people: $17 per person one way from O’Hare to HI-Chicago, $15 per person one way from HI-Chicago to O’Hare, $31 per person roundtrip
From the Airport: Taxicabs
Estimated rates: $35 – $45 US
- Immediately outside of the terminal
- in front of the baggage claim areas
- Tell the taxi driver you are going to downtown Chicago, Hostelling International Chicago hostel at Congress and Wabash, near the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library
Subway:
BLUE line; O’Hare Airport to LASALLE stop $2.25. BLUE line operates 24 hours/day
- For the subway, follow the signs to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), subway to Chicago. The subway station is underground.
- Walk to the hostel from LASALLE stop: exit underground onto Congress Parkway, walk straight (east) 4 blocks. Walk past State Street and HI-Chicago is located on the left (north) side of Congress. The entrance is from Congress in the middle of the building and the hostel is on the corner of Congress and Wabash.
CTA Information files
Arriving By Plane: Midway International Airport – Directions
Midway Airport is about 1/2 hour from downtown Chicago and HI-Chicago.
You have 3 choices for getting to the hostel:
- Subway – CTA, cheapest and often the quickest. The subway is safe between the airports and HI-Chicago.
- Shuttle bus – Airport Express (inexpensive)
- Taxi – (more expensive)
Easy and cheap to get to! Only $2.25 on public transportation with CTA
Subway
ORANGE line; Midway Airport to LIBRARY stop (Van Buren and State) $2.25
- At the airport, follow the signs to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), subway to Chicago. It is about a 10-15 walk from the airport to the subway.
- Take the ORANGE line to the LIBRARY (Van Buren and State) stop.
- Walk to the hostel: follow State Street south one block, turn left at Congress Pkwy, one block east to Wabash, the hostel is on the corner of Congress and Wabash.
*From Midway, the CTA ORANGE line runs Monday through Friday 4:00 am – 1:-00 am and 4:30 am – 1:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays.
CTA Information files
Related websites
Arriving By Bus
Greyhound Bus Terminal – Directions
The Greyhound bus terminal is located on 630. W. Harrison Street.
You have 4 choices for getting to the hostel:
- Walk (11 blocks, about 20 minutes)
- Taxi (quicker, only a little more than city bus if in a group of 2 or more)
- Bus, CTA
- Subway, CTA
Walking
The Greyhound bus terminal is close to HI-Chicago, but it is a long walk of 11 city blocks (about 1 mile or 20 minutes). In front of the bus terminal follow Harrison to the east. Walk over the river and about nine blocks to State. Turn left, walk one block north to Congress Pkwy. Cross Congress to the north side of the street, turn right (east) and walk ½ block to the hostel. The hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Taxi Cab $6.00 – $8.00
If you are traveling in a group of two or three, a taxi will take you to the hostel door for only a little more than the city bus. Tell the taxi driver you are going to Hostelling International Chicago hostel at Congress and Wabash, near the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. 24 East Congress Parkway. If there are no cabs waiting outside the terminal, you can call a cab from one of these companies.
Taxi Cab Information:
- Wolley Cab – 877-888-8294
- Checker Cab – 312-243-2537
- Flash Cab – 773-561-1444
- Yellow Cab – 312-829-4222
- Bus, CTA – Route #7 to Congress Plaza $2.00 w/fare card or $2.25 cash
- Walk to the Harrison/Jefferson stop located on the south side of Harrison and take the #7 bus toward Congress Plaza. Get off at State/Jackson. Walk two blocks south on State Street to Congress Pkwy. Turn left (east) and walk ½ block to the hostel. The hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Bus
* The #7 bus only runs Monday through Friday from 5:56 am to 10:00pm.
Subway
BLUE line: Clinton to LaSalle $2.25 [Every day, 24 hours] Walk west one block to Clinton, turn left, walk one block north to Congress. Enter the subway and take train in the direction of “O’Hare”, only one stop to LaSalle. Walk east along Congress Pkwy four blocks to the hostel. The hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress. 24 East Congress Parkway. *The CTA BLUE line runs every day, 24 hours a day.
CTA Information Files
- Bus Route #7 information
- Visitor Information
Related Websites
Arriving By Bus: Megabus Stop- Directions
The Megabus stop is located on the east side of South Canal Street, about 300 feet south of Jackson Blvd. You have 4 choices for getting to the hostel:
- Walk (10 blocks, about 20 minutes)
- Taxi (quicker, only a little more than city bus if in a group of 2 or more)
- Bus, CTA
- Subway, CTA
Walking
The Megabus stop is close to HI-Chicago, but it is a long walk of 10 city blocks (about 1 mile or 20 minutes). Follow Jackson to the east. Walk over the river and then 6 blocks to State Street. Turn right, walk two blocks south to Congress Pkwy. Turn left (east) and walk ½ block to the hostel. The hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Taxi Cab $5.00 – $7.00
If you are traveling in a group of two or three, a taxi will take you to the hostel door for only a little more than the city bus. Tell the taxi driver you are going to Hostelling International Chicago hostel at Congress and Wabash, near the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. 24 East Congress Parkway. If there are no cabs waiting outside the terminal, you can call a cab from one of these companies.
Taxi Cab Information:
- Wolley Cab – 877-888-8294
- Checker Cab – 312-243-2537
- Flash Cab – 773-561-1444
- Yellow Cab – 312-829-4222
- Bus Route #126 to Michigan and Congress $2.00 w/fare card or $2.25 cash. Board the bus on Jackson at Canal Street. Bus #126 follows Jackson to Michigan. When the bus turns onto Michigan heading south you will pass one street, Van Buren, and the next street is Congress. Get off at Congress.
- Walk to Hostel: walk one block west on Congress Parkway to Wabash. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Bus
* The #126 bus runs Monday through Friday from 5:54 am to 11:02pm. Saturday from 5:54am to 11:07pm and Sunday from 6:08am to 11:01pm.
Subway
BROWN line: Quincy/Wells to Library $2.25
Walk east on Jackson for about 3 blocks. Turn left (north) on South Wells Street. Walk up the stairs to board the train. Get off two stops later at the Library (Van Buren and State) stop. Walk to the hostel: follow State Street south one block, turn left at Congress Pkwy, one block east to Wabash, the hostel is on the corner of Congress and Wabash.
*The CTA Brown Line Monday through Saturday 4:30 AM to 1:30 AM and Sunday 7:30 AM to 12:30 AM.
Related Websites
Arriving By Train: Amtrak Union Station – Directions
Union Station is located in downtown Chicago at 203 South Canal Street, on the west side of the central business district. HI-Chicago is in the southeast corner of the same central business district. Walking
The Amtrak Station is close to HI-Chicago, but it is a long walk of 10 city blocks (about 1 mile or 20 minutes). Follow Jackson to the east. Walk over the river and 6 blocks to State Street. Turn right, walk two blocks south to Congress Pkwy. Turn left (east) and walk ½ block to the hostel. The hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Taxi Cab $5.00 – $7.00
If you are traveling in a group of two or three, a taxi will take you to the hostel door for only a little more than the city bus. Tell the taxi driver you are going to Hostelling International Chicago hostel at Congress and Wabash, near the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. 24 East Congress Parkway. If there are no cabs waiting outside the terminal, you can call a cab from one of these companies.
Taxi Cab Information:
- Wolley Cab – 877-888-8294
- Checker Cab – 312-243-2537
- Flash Cab – 773-561-1444
- Yellow Cab – 312-829-4222
- Bus Route #126 to Michigan and Congress $2.00 w/fare card or $2.25 cash. Board the bus on Jackson at Canal Street. Bus #126 follows Jackson to Michigan. When the bus turns onto Michigan heading south you will pass one street, Van Buren, and the next street is Congress. Get off at Congress.
- Walk to Hostel: walk one block west on Congress Parkway to Wabash. 24 East Congress Parkway.
Bus
Bus Route #126 to Michigan and Congress $2.00 w/fare card or $2.25 cash.
Board the bus on Jackson at Canal Street. Bus #126 follows Jackson to Michigan. When the bus turns onto Michigan heading south you will pass one street, Van Buren, and the next street is Congress. Get off at Congress.
Walk to Hostel: walk one block west on Congress Parkway to Wabash. 24 East Congress Parkway.
*The #126 bus runs Monday through Friday from 5:54 am to 11:02pm. Saturday from 5:54am to 11:07pm and Sunday from 6:08am to 11:01pm.
Subway
BROWN line: Quincy/Wells to Library $2.25
Walk east on Jackson for about 3 blocks. Turn left (north) on South Wells Street. Walk up the stairs to board the train. Get off two stops later at the Library (Van Buren and State) stop. Walk to the hostel: follow State Street south one block, turn left at Congress Pkwy, one block east to Wabash, the hostel is on the corner of Congress and Wabash.
*The CTA Brown Line Monday through Saturday 4:30 AM to 1:30 AM and Sunday 7:30 AM to 12:30 AM.
CTA (bus) Information Files
- Bus Route #126 information
- Visitor Information
Related Websites
Arriving By Car: Driving Directions
Driving to HI-Chicago is easy!
From the south: I-80 East, I-80 West, I-90 West, I-94 West, I-55 North, I-57 North
[Construction Alert: exit ramp at Congress is closed, follow these driving directions]
All of these expressways intersect or become the Dan Ryan Expressway [I-90/94 West]. Take I-90/94 West into Chicago, and as you approach the downtown area stay to the right, follow signs to Roosevelt Road Exit 52B. Turn right (east) onto Roosevelt Rd. Cross over the bridge and move to the left lane to State Street. Turn left (north) onto State St. continue to Congress Pkwy and turn right. HI-Chicago is on the north side of Congress Parkway at Wabash. **[Directions for arriving after June 30, 2012, ramp will be open] All of these expressways intersect or become the Dan Ryan Expressway [I-90/94 West]. Take I-90/94 West into Chicago, and as you approach the downtown area stay to the right, follow signs to I-290 (Eisenhower Expwy), stay to the right and exit onto I-290 East (Congress Parkway). The I-290 East expressway ends as it enters downtown and becomes Congress Parkway. HI-Chicago is on the north side of Congress Parkway at Wabash, just past the big library and after State Street.**
From the North: I-90 East, I-94 East
[Construction Alert: exit ramp at Congress is closed, follow these driving directions]
These two expressways join together as you approach Chicago and become I-90/94East. Follow the expressway into the downtown area and exit on the right at Jackson Blvd. Turn left (east) onto Jackson and continue to Wabash St. Turn right (south) onto Wabash and continue to Congress Pkwy. HI-Chicago is on the northwest corner to your right.
**[Directions for arriving after June 30, 2012, ramp will be open] These two expressways join together as you approach Chicago and become I-90/94East. Follow the expressway into the downtown area and exit at Congress Parkway, east. The Congress Pkwy exit is after Jackson and is a dual exit for both Congress and the highway to the western suburbs. As you exit stay in the left lane to go up the ramp to Congress. HI-Chicago is on Congress Parkway at Wabash, just past the big library and after State Street.**
From the West: I-88 East
[Construction Alert: lanes reduced causing traffic backups until June 30, 2012]
This one is easy. Just follow the expressway east until it ends and becomes Congress Parkway. No turns, no exits, just go straight. HI-Chicago is on Congress Parkway at Wabash, just past the big library and after State Street.
Parking
HI-DC does not offer parking, but there are several options close to the hostel:
- DC has metered street parking, but it can be restrictive (be sure to read all signs carefully and follow the instructions, as the city is known for quick ticketing) and difficult to find open spaces.
- Across the street is Colonial Parking (1100 L Street NW): $18 per day for garaged parking, the garage is open weekdays from 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM; overnight parking is available, but cars must be moved by 6:30 AM to not be charged an additional day.
- Two blocks South on 9th Street is City Center Parking (900 9th Street NW): $24.00 a day Monday – Friday, $12.00 on Saturday and Sunday. An open air parking lot with overnight parking; open until 2:00 AM daily.