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Chicago Union Station
Rail Station
West Loop, Chicago
"Consider upgrading to Business Class on Amtrak!"(8 Tips)
"Movie fans take note the stairwells were used in The Untouchables"(7 Tips)
"North, past the Metra ticket windows and then left."(6 Tips)
"famous baby carriage shootout on the stairwell"(5 Tips)
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Outstanding architecture. The Great Hall is among the best among the nation’s historic urban stations. Union Station in DC, and Grand Central in NYC are bigger and grander, but Chicago holds its own.
Amogh UpadhyayMarch 3, 2014If you are in Chicago & don't want to lug your luggage around! Union Station has nifty storage lockers which you can rent and be hands free while you roam clickty clicking your way in downtown!Upvoted Apr 8
Radisson Blu Aqua HotelOctober 30, 2011The Great Hall is considered to be one of the greatest indoor spaces in the US. Originally designed by architect Daniel Burnham and completed in 1925 by the Graham, Anderson, Probst & White Firm.Upvoted 1 day ago- Consider upgrading to Business Class on Amtrak! Inexpensive deal for better, bigger seat, free drink, newspaper, NO waiting to board (skip the line!), and more. Safe Travels! ~@travelblawg
If you are coming in with the morning commute, be prepared to walk briskly. It's like a herd of cattle moving up the escalators
- Don't miss the great hall. If you're coming from the South concourse, go past the baggage claim and make a right. North, past the Metra ticket windows and then left.
There are plenty of food options to choose from here and you can kinda tell who the regulars are (besides staff) because they’re willing to help.
Cole JSeptember 24, 2014Chicago Union is a great station. Free wifi, lots of restraint choices and good signage.
Make sure your phone is charged. All of the outlets are locked. If you really need to charge it, there are rentable power packs for $5.
Brian SmithApril 14, 2019The ambiance of the entire place is overwhelming. Well taken care of over the course of time. And the film, yes, you know what I am talking about...
Go into the historic main hall for photo ops and better views than the underground maze.
Benson KwongFebruary 27, 2013Find a spot in the station near the entrance at Canal Street during rush hour and be amazed at the continuous streams of people that rush through those doors to catch their trains.
Dave Howarth JrOctober 3, 2014I've been here twice in my life and I know this place like I've been here y whole life! Great Place! Very Crowded!
Amtrak has moved its ticket counter to just off the Great Hall but if you're just printing a ticket, using an Amtrak machine is far faster
Explore ChicagoSeptember 20, 2011Union Station’s south staircase is the setting for one of The Untouchables’ most memorable scenes, which depicts a baby carriage caught in a crossfire. This scene pays homage to Battleship Potemkin.
Shena CameseAugust 18, 2013Enjoy the incredible architectural features. Visit the south staircase - the setting for one of The Untouchables’ most memorable scenes, which depicts a baby carriage caught in a crossfire.- Enchanting architecture that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. Movie fans take note the stairwells were used in The Untouchables, famous buggy shoot out.
Honor America RadioJanuary 13, 2014Next up on our 'BEEN THERE, DONE THAT' List is Chicago's Famous UNION TERMINAL. It has everything one expects from this type of destination.
If you're trying to grab a taxi after your train arrives, your best bet is to walk a block away from the station and hail from there. Avoid the taxi stand.- Benson KwongFebruary 27, 2013The Mezzanine, Concourse, and Annex have many shopping and dining venues that can be explored. In addition, parts of the station can be rented out for special events.
Chris JMay 29, 2017There are elevators in case you don't want to take your baby carriage down the steps.
Remember escalator/stair etiquette everyone: stairs: stay to the right. You don't own both sides! Escalator: left for walking right for standing.
There is an entrance off of Clinton street that brings you through the great hall and directly to the Metra trains.- Benson KwongFebruary 27, 2013Chicago Union Station is one of the few truly great passenger rail terminals in North America that remain from when rail travel was in its heyday. Take a step back and appreciate its grandeur.
Andrew BoyceMay 7, 2013If you're in the north loop and heading south, enter through the stairs near the opera house and cut through the Amtrak area. This good for avoiding traffic lights and bad weather for a couple blocks.
If traveling on Amtrak, spend the $8 or so to upgrade to business class if possible. Get to board first, nice seats, spacious, car next to the cafe, etc.Upvoted 1 week ago
Robbie HelzerSeptember 19, 2014Get there early and be sure to buy your tickets in the terminal, save yourself some money on the train.
using the Madison St entrance/exit? If so, the stair rules apply!! stay on your right to allow for both in and out flow. What's up with the group coming in from burbs @ 733 taking up both sides?!!
lauren dordalJanuary 13, 2014If you are running a few minutes behind, still go to your track - you'll most likely still make it. (The Metra is usually late)
Very well organized, feels like an airport (but without the TSA)
To take the shortcut to Madison Street, use platform 11. Not all the north concourse platforms have stairs up to Madison. I found that out the hard way!- There’s a lactation station in the Main Hall for those needing to nurse or pump
Buy your train beer ahead of time at a nearby Walgreens and save yourself $3-$4.
Go at or around lunchtime to buy your monthly tickets... There's hardly ever a line. Or just purchase via the Internet and the tickets are mailed to you.
People leaving the city for work - as opposed to those of you commuting into the city - deserve the a pathway to their train as do you - suburban hoardes trying to exit Union Station. We live here!
Jeffrey-Ryan B.October 21, 2013This station is the origin and the end of the line of many long-distance trains from the West and from the East and connect with each other
On a crazy cold day you can walk the equivalent of 2 full blocks by walking through the Great Hall and the food court.
Melissa GoodnightJanuary 24, 2015This is a huge station. It's pretty simple to navigate though. There's ample signage everywhere. Gotta love that.
Rush hour = awesome people watching!! I love watching people run in their work clothes!
Amy CummingsApril 16, 2023This train station is a little confusing to me, but it’s the best way to travel to and from Michigan!
Arriving early has so many perks; you'll definitely make the train, you won't have to worry about people in front of you on the escalator, and a better choice of seat.
Jake SmithJuly 3, 2013Exit towards Canal St. if you are looking to catch a cab - and some excellent architecture.
Ignite Glass StudiosApril 22, 2014Walk west to discover some of Chicago's trendiest restaurants and art galleries in the West Loop and Fulton Market District.- Benson KwongFebruary 27, 2013Chicago Union Station was designated as a one of America’s “Great Places” by the American Planning Association (APA) in 2012-
Dress warmly/layer (in the winter) its all kinds of air drafts throughout Union station!! Especially in the boarding zone!
Take the stairs through the food court. You will get out faster.
Odd-number tracks (9, 11, etc.) are in the north concourse, even-number tracks (8, 10, etc) in the south concourse. Metra ticket counters are between the two--toward the Great Hall.
Second car from front and rear of Metra trains are quiet cars during rush hours. No conversations, phones or music!
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Chicago Union Station
225 S Canal St (btwn W Adams St & W Jackson Blvd)
Chicago, IL 60606
United States
Chicago, IL 60606
United States
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) gets you where you’re going with our three transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail system, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus service.
Open until 1:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 5:00 AM–1:00 AM
(312) 322-6777
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Yes (incl. American Express)
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Yes
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Upcoming Events
- The Great Gatsby Party - Chicago
9:00 PM on September 28, 2024
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