The Metra(and the big Chicago weekend)?????????

Tina and I think that we have devised an awesome plan for saving some parking money over the weekend. We would like to drive into Joiliet and take the metra into the city, probably to Union Station. Who knows about this sytem? Is it safe, but more importantly, is it dummy proof? I dont want to end up in Wisconsin cause we can't figure out what train to take or what stop to get off on. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks dawn

Hey You I just posted about this on the singles board....

I take metra from Elgin to Chicago all the time and have always felt perfectly safe. Then When I get there I either walk where ever Im going if it is no more than 2-3 miles or take a taxi. For the OH event I will take a taxi as it is too far for me to walk not knowing exactly where i am going. and it is $5 round trip on weekends for metra. at least last time I took it. Have fun & see ya there! val

Do you know how often that it runs and it looked like on the web site that is is a $1 a day to park.....is that correct and is it Ok to park overnight? Thanks for your help Tina

You will have to contact the local police department to find out if you can leave your car overnight in the Metra lot in Joliet. Each town has their own ordinances regarding that. Take for example where I live, in Itasca we have an ordinance regarding overnight parking, you have to request permission from the PD to park overnight. Also check to find out if you need to pay for parking over the weekend days, most towns only require you to pay on the week days. The only reason I know this is because I work for my local PD and I know that most of the towns on the west Metra line have their rules about the parking in the lots. It is always good to check on something like this because a daily parking ticket can cost more than the train ride. Have fun, I wish I could be there, maybe next year. I can't make this years because of a commitment at church.

http://www.metrarail.com/schedule.html I would call them and ask about overnight parking.

Hi Dawn! You might not want to stay in Joliet. I grew up down there and where the train picks up isn't the best spot in the world. JMO My mom takes that line every day and picks it up out of New Lenox. If you guys need ideas on how to save $$$$$.....I'm here...I can help.

Ok, we can do that to. We are trying to avoid the $60 parking for the hotel if it all possible.So basically, we are driving up to a town and catching the metra into the city........Hope you come out with us on Saturday!! dawn

OH....and depending on which train you take...one will go to Union and the other goes to Lasalle & Van Buren. The one the goes to Union is a VERY LONG RIDE and is almost always late. The one that goes to Lasalle & Van Buren is a good ride (that's the one my mom takes) and the blue line sub is there and the Brown line L is there. (I think it's the brown/orange/purple..Stef?) How are you planning on getting to where you need to get after the Metra?

Ok, purple, blue, orange. I am officially scared! We have a room at the Congress downtown. So basically, we are wanting to leave our car at the metra station, get on it and hopefully end up close to the Congress. I couldn't tell from the map which train was closer..........