What is the best/safest way to get to Chicago?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knew what the best and safest way was to travel by public transportation was? I looked up the megabus and some train (can't remember the name). Are there any other forms of public transportation, like a different bus or train? Whenever I decide to leave for Chicago, it will only be a weeks notice and the earliest I can get a ticket for the bus or train. For the megabus it would be like $60 there and back. And for the train, over $100. I really can't spend over $100 dollars. So if anyone knows of a cheap way to get there, I'm all ears! :)

I plan to visit my boyfriend so someway or another I have to be able to get there. I'm kind of nervous because I'll be going by myself and i don't know what to expect on a bus or train since I've never went on one, it's even more scary going alone it seems. I'm only 19 years old and my car is not a reliable enough source for me to get there and plus, gas is way too expensive.

Thanks for any information in advance!!! :)

Answer 1

That's not that far of a drive, unless your car is really bad I would think you can make it.

Answer 2

If you are a student you can do XFares.

You can basically wait at the airport for a plane going to Chicago and if the seats do not fill up then they will sell you a ticket for I think around $50.00.

Or you could probably take Grey Hound Bus for less than $80 each way.

Both options would take some time, but if you have time, then I would go for one of these options. The plane would be the safer bet.

You can probably look up XFares online too.

Answer 3

Take the bus.  The only way I think you can do cheaper is to get a bunch of friends and share a car ride.  If you don't have friends who want to go, maybe you can post on craigslist and see if anybody else wants to share a ride to Chicago and you pay for your portion of gas.  BTW, the bus is not that bad, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Answer 4

The cheapest way to get to Chicago from Toledo would be to drive.

Chicago is a relatively safe city and is not that difficult to drive in

if you have a good map.

If you do not want to drive you can look at flying on Southwest Airlines

from Indianapolis or from Columbus.  I don't think they fly out of

Cleveland.  They fly into Midway Airport.  From Midway you can take the train downtown.  I can't remember how much it costs (less then $2) and you have to have change because there is no one to buy

a ticket from.

Chicago trains (CTA) are safe and so are most parts of the city. Just

as in any large city don't be out late at night by yourself.

Amtak trains are also a good option from Toledo to Chicago.  The train station (Union Station) is right downtown so you could get the CTA or bus to go whereever you need to go.  

Answer 5

Megabus. I think that it serves Toledo. I'll check.

It is outstanding. Cheap , clean and on time.

I have long felt that unattended laundromats and Greyhound stations are among the last outposts of alienation in an increasingly humanized world.

Boy are you lucky!

http://www.megabus.com/us/stops/toledo_c...

Answer 6

With the price of gas and fuel these days I think that $60 is the best buy you will get for public transportation.  Taking the bus is not a big deal, you go to the depot, buy a ticket, and board the bus.  It shouldn't take that long to get to Chicago, although that all depends on how many stops the bus makes on the way there. I don't think that you will have to get a ticket a head of time, a weeks notice is plenty.  When a young lady of 19 travels alone, do not make eye contact with strangers that could pose a threat.  If you have questions, ask the clerks at the bus depot or an older couple that are travelling on the same bus.   Don't offer a lot of information on your plans or that you are alone so that anyone else can over hear.  You just have to be careful of where you are and who is around you.  Never get yourself into a dangerous spot,  make sure that there is lots of space and people around. Don't mean to scare you but we all watch T.V.  

Answer 7

The safest and cheapest way is by walking.