Subject: CTA DIRECTIONS

  

In terms of the public transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority’s Information number is (312) – 836-7000.

 

Here are some good directions utilizing the train service from either airport:

 

REMEMBER THAT ALL CHICAGO TRAINS ARE COLOR CODED --- OHARE = BLUE, MIDWAY = ORANGE,

MERCHANDISE MART/HOTEL = BROWN.  The transfer point between these three trains is Clark/Lake.

 

IN-BOUND

 

Take the train (Blue from O’Hare, Orange from Midway) to the Clark/Lake station downtown. You will need to transfer trains at this stop to the Brown Line north-bound. The Brown Line is elevated at this stop  - as is the Orange Line, so if you come from Midway, stay on the same exact platform & wait for the Brown Line train.  If coming from O’Hare, that train is below ground level – so come up to ground level and access the elevated platform north-bound.

 

Take the Brown Line to The Merchandise Mart stop (one or two stops- so it comes very quickly) – the train platform leads directly into The Mart building on its 2nd Floor.  The Mart’s 2nd Floor connects over Orleans Street into the 2nd Floor of the hotel building. Follow the 2nd Floor – you’ll walk the entire length of The Mart building, and when it ends, you will be on a pedestrian bridge running over Orleans Street.  Follow the 2nd Floor into our building, and when you arrive you will see elevator banks straight ahead of you --- take those up to the 15th Floor, Main Lobby of the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.

 

OUT-BOUND

 

Take the directions in reverse following the 2nd Floor thru to the very end of The Merchandise Mart – to the “L” platform for the Brown Line --- you will want to take the Brown Line south-bound to the Clark/Lake stop. Again, if headed to Midway, stay on the same platform and catch an Orange Line train.  If headed to O’Hare, please descend to street-level for the underground Blue Line train north-bound to O’Hare.

 

PLEASE NOTE --- The 2nd Floor bridge to The Mart is closed on Sunday. If you are leaving on Sunday, you will need to exit the hotel building (1st Floor) onto its main driveway (that runs along the river). Turn left, going east, and follow our building to its end, cross Orleans Street, and then keep going following The Mart building exterior until you reach the center of the building and its main entrance. There will be a Security desk directly inside – and the guard can direct you to the L station access.