Posts Tagged ‘chicago northwest suburbs’

Getting to O’Hare International Airport from the Vernon Hills Area

“It must take you forever to get to the airport!”  Back in the day of business travel and care-free, no-kids vacations, I heard many people lament the trip to O’Hare International Airport  from the Chicago Northwest Suburbs on my behalf.  Truth is, it’s neither complicated nor very time consuming to get to O’Hare from the Chicago Northwest Suburbs.  My personal best has been 23 minutes door-to-door (although I will admit to that particular trip starting at 4:30am).  Here are the three, easiest ways I have found to O’Hare plus one bonus:

Metra North Central Service

The Metra North Central Service (which includes service to Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove) is a commuter service that stops at the O’Hare Transfer Station (located at Remote Parking Lot F).  Once there,  you can connect, via the airport shuttle bus system, to the People Mover.  I have to tell you, this is not my favorite way of getting to the airport, but it is the least expensive.  This is definitely best for those times when you can pack light.  For more information on the Metra North Central Service, click here.

Cab

Taking a cab is definitely my favorite way of getting to O’Hare and I have never been let down by American Taxi.  They have set fares to O’Hare and will pick you up any time, day or night.  Fares from Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove are about $35 (there may be additional fees based on gas rates, etc.).  Tipping is expected and will increase your price tag from $7 – $10.  The best thing about a cab is the door-to-door service so you don’t have to leave the house earlier just to account for parking time.  One caveat, if you are taking a cab FROM O’Hare to the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, call ahead and schedule the service.  It is next to impossible to find a cab driver at the airport willing to take you that far out to the suburbs without a reservation.  It can also cost nearly $75 for the ride if you do find someone willing to make the drive.

Driving

If you are only traveling overnight, I would suggest driving to O’Hare and parking in the daily parking lot.  Parking runs $30 a day, but this lot is as close to the airport as you can get if you are driving a car.  Lot A, floors 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 offer the best access to the terminals. You can get the best spot if you call ahead and find out which terminal you need to access for your flight and park accordingly.  And if you really want convenience, $45 will get you valet service!  Best route I have found is take I-294 straight to the I-90 O’Hare exit.  Here’s a great website that give you great information about parking at O’Hare.

Park and Fly

Now, I haven’t tried this service myself, but I know people who swear by it.  You get the most bang for your buck with this service if you have an early morning flight and you really don’t want to leave the Northwest Suburbs at 4:00am to catch your flight.  There are participating hotels around O’Hare that offer a room for the night and then parking for your car for the duration of your trip.  For example, the Quality Inn’s package offers one night’s accommodation, 7 days of parking and shuttle service to and from the airport for $89.  Go to the Park Sleep Fly website at www.parksleepfly.com for more information and to make reservations.

As a former business traveler, I know that access to a major airport is on the top of a person’s list when deciding where to call home.  Thanks to Chicago’s and the Northwest Suburb’s investment in public transportation and roadways, you get the best of suburban life with direct access to one of the world’s largest airports.  Now, if only it was that easy to find your luggage once you get to your destination.

The above post, Traveling to O’Hare from Vernon Hills, IL, was written by Tara Arnold and Judy Greenberg of the Judy Greenberg Real Estate team at Coldwell Banker.

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs,including Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills.homes-for-sale.com

will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!

Vernon Hills Families save time and aggravation with convenient home delivery services

Whether it be laundry, pizza or groceries, it’s a no brainer that home delivery services in Vernon Hills can take a burden off the family.  All working mothers (both at home and in the workplace) understand the value of free time.  Between running to work, day care, school, soccer practice, the library and a litany of other neverending errands, the idea of free time becomes as elusive as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Luckily, living in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs allows for some luxuries to get back that free time.  The home delivery services of Vernon Hills provide examples of life’s necessary luxuries. 

Dry Cleaning – I can’t tell you how much time I have saved just by utilizing a home delivery service for dry cleaning.  Majestic Cleaners, based in Libertyville, IL, will come by your house twice a week to pick up and drop off any dry cleaning you may have.  You will receive personal laundry bags with ID tags that tell them what all of your individual specifications are. If you have something for them to pick up, just put it in your laundry bag and set it right outside of your front door. When their drivers see your bag they’ll pick up your order and deliver it back to you in approximately three working days.  I’ve been using Majestic Cleaners for seven years now, and can’t say enough good things about them.

Groceries– Peapod has an excellent grocery delivery service for Vernon Hills.  Just go to their website, sign up for an account and then peruse the virtual aisles.  The service does have a minimum order of $60, but I can’t remember the time I last spent less than $60 at the grocery store.  The delivery fees vary starting at $9.95 and go down based on dollar value of the groceries ordered.  I’ve found that even with the delivery charge, I usually spend less than when I go to the grocery store as it’s easier to stick to my list and I don’t get hit with the impulse buys.  You can try out Peapod now for 60 days of free delivery.Ice Cream and Milk – Anyone from the Chicago Northwest Suburbs knows Oberweiss.  What you might not know is they have delivery service available for all of their high-quality dairy products.  You can have Oberweiss ice cream and milk delivered straight to your front door.  Just think of all the Leave it to Beaver episodes you used to watch where the milk was fresh and waiting on the front porch when you woke up.

Prescriptions – Walmart has a home delivery service for prescription drugs.  There are conditions and a pre-approved list of the prescriptions offered in the service, but if you have any prescription drugs that are refilled often, this may be a great way to go.

Restaurants – The granddaddy of all delivery services.  Who hasn’t had that moment of panic when you don’t have the energy to cook dinner, but don’t feel like yet another pizza.  There are plenty of restaurants in the Vernon Hills area that deliver including Green Basil Thai, Jason’s Deli and Potbelly Sandwiches.  There is also a service called Takeout Taxi Chicago.  Takeout Taxi Chicago offers delivery of great places like Wildfire, Big Bowl, Cheesecake Factory and Go Roma.  There is a $10 minimum and delivery runs around $6.  Click here to take a look at their website for menus and other charges.  And for those nights when only a pizza will do, I highly recommend Rosati’s.  It’s the only pizza that my whole family can always agree on.

People that live in Vernon Hills know it is a family-friendly town.  Although the great schools and active park district are wonderful aspects of family life in Vernon Hills, the little things such as home delivery service for otherwise time-consuming tasks adds to the amount of time you have available to just have fun.  And after all, isn’t that what enjoying your free time and your family  is all about?

How to contact:

• Majestic Cleaners – 847-362-3595
• Peapod – www.peapod.com
• Oberweiss Home Delivery:  www.oberweis.com
• Walmart – 555 East Townline Road, Vernon Hills – (847) 918-0555
• Takeout Taxi Chicago – www.takeouttaxichicago.com