I am flying out of midway airport in chicago next week and I'm trying to figure out if it will be cheaper to drive and pay parking (i'll be gone 5 days) or take a cab to and from home. Anyone know what cab fares would be to midway airport from oak park IL? (oak park is about 2 miles west of chicago city limits). I'd take the trains, but according to the online schedule thing it's going to take an hour or more to get from my place in oak park to the airport with all of the transfers and stuff, and since i have to leave after work that would be cutting it too close for comfort I think. Thanks!
(p.s. I always choose best answer)
2008-04-28T06:53:48Z
gee natalie, thanks for the help. i'm asking if anyone knows the amounts for cab fare so that i can do the math on cab vs. parking. your answer was not remotely helpful
alisonwndrlnd2008-04-28T12:49:36Z
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I live downtown, so I'm not sure the cab fare. Call a local cab company and ask for pricing. I would assume you are a lot closer than I am. When I fly out of midway, I usually either take the el or park. The price for me to park for a three day weekend is less than the cab both ways.
Since you are closer, it might not be as expensive (as someone mentioned, if it is 25$ one-way, then parking at $12 a day, it's almost a break even and what you prefer). I like parking there, it is super convenient, and I never waited longer than 5 mins for a tram to pick me up.
p.s. I know cab fares in the city are going up $1 because of gas-I think starting today...
Oak Park isn't that far from Midway, about seven or eight miles away, depending on where exactly in Oak Park you live. Not sure what they charge per mile, but it can't be more than $25 to get from there to the airport. Here is a link to cab companies in Oak Park. You should give them a call and ask their rates. They may even offer a flat rate discount for going to the airport. Since Oak Park is NOT part of Chicago, the rates they charge for cabs are going to be different.(http://local.yahoo.com/IL/Oak+Park/Travel+Lodging/Taxi+Services
If you do decided to drive, they do have extended daily parking at the airport itself. I've used it a couple of times when I went to Austin, Texas for about three or four days. And it's not that expensive. For instance, I just did a sample search to find out how much it would cost to park there from May 2 to May 5 (four days). It gave an average cost of about $41 for official airport parking and three nearby privately owned parking lots. Not a bad deal.
All of the parking lots, the Midway one and the private ones all come with shuttle buses that will take you to the front door of the airport from the parking lot. Some places will even wash your car for you for free while you're gone!
As an example, State and Madison to Midway: $22 - $28. It's about 10 miles from the center of Oak Park to Midway, so I guess ~ $22.00 with tip.
In Chicago, you pay the amount shown on the taximeter, plus any tolls. There is no extra charge for baggage or credit card use, and tipping is optional. The “flag pull” or initial charge is $2.25 for the first 1/9 mile, additional fraction of a mile charge is $.20 for each additional 1/9 mile. Every 36 seconds of time elapsed is $.20. The flat fee for the first additional passenger is $1.00, The flat fee for each additional passenger, after the first additional passenger is $.50. That cab ride would cost about $22.86. That's roughly $26 with a 15% tip. It is about 9.9 miles. There is a $1.00 surcharge for trips to Midway Airport.
I'm not pitching this company, this is just the company I used a few weeks ago. They also travel to O'hare, which is where I was flying out of.
2 of us traveled from Naperville to O'hare in a sedan and it came to 64 dollars. When we returned home, the taxi from O'hare to Naperville was 94 dollars PLUS tip. (The 64 dollars included the gratuity).
You will get an online quote, or they will call you with a quote. I think we received a quote within 20 minutes.
The main reason I suggest going this way is because you pay ahead of time (or you make a down payment) and you know EXACTLY what you're going to be charged. Plus, you're riding in a luxury sedan, not in a caged in police car like feeling taxi.
You can also get a 5% discount by signing up online.
The sedan arrived 30 minutes prior to our scheduled pickup time, the driver had bottled water for us, and he drove well. Not to mention, he spoke English.
Parking is a pain because it adds a good 30 minutes to your travel time on both ends. Finding a space, walking WITH your luggage, too much hassle. Keep in mind, you're paying for the luxury of being dropped off right at your gate with someone to help you unload bags.
I wish I had scheduled a pickup from O'hare. Now I know for next time.
Keep in mind that my trip was MUCH longer than your trip, so expect your quote to be MUCH less.
Hello Hey do this instead of parking your car at the airport. Sence you are in IL I would drive from where you are at to where you are going it will be cheaper that way and if you have stuff to take with you plus you should take a friend with you. Have a safe drive. James P.