TRANSPORTATION

Taxi Service
Car Rental
Train
Bus
Argonne University of Chicago Shuttle
Getting to Downtown Chicago

No public transportation is available directly to the laboratory from downtown Chicago, O'Hare or Midway Airports. There is a local commuter bus that provides limited service to Argonne on weekdays, and a shuttle service between Argonne and the University of Chicago. On your initial arrival at Argonne you will likely need to reserve a rental car in advance or arrange for taxi service. The Argonne National Laboratory website provides directions and maps to assist you in arriving by car.

Taxi Service

Flat rate service is available from both airports and downtown Chicago to Argonne and the surrounding suburbs.

O'Hare Airport - From O'Hare Airport all rides must be prearranged. This can be done prior to your departure from home, or by placing a call with a toll free number from the baggage claim area. We do not recommend that on your first arrival in Chicago that you prearrange a ride from home as there could be delays with customs or immigration. Even if you have made a reservation for a taxi from your home, you will need to telephone the company using the toll-free number and tell them you have arrived and wish to be picked up. You will need to provide information about your arrival terminal and destination. The agent will assign you a taxi number and an approximate time for its arrival and tell you exactly where to stand and wait for the taxi (door and aisle number). The fare from the airport to communities near Argonne is about $50.00 with a surcharge of $2.00 for each additional person over 12 years of age.

Midway Airport - Taxi cabs at Chicago Midway Airport are available at all times from door M5. Although Midway airport is closer to Argonne, about a 30-minute drive, the cost of taxi service is about the same as from O'Hare.

Car Rental

Car rental companies have agencies in the airports and suburban areas. When arriving by plane, renting a car at the airport is the most convenient. The car must however then be returned to the airport agency from which the car was rented. A substantial "drop-off" fee will be charged if you return the car to a different location of the same company. Alternatively, you may wish to rent a car after you have arrived at the Argonne site. There are several local companies in addition to the well known national and international companies. We also suggest asking the secretary in your division or group for a recommendation as some companies do give preferential rates to Laboratory employees. It is a good idea to compare the prices of several companies and it is often possible to find better rates when reserving on the internet.

To rent a car, you must have a valid driver's license from any state in the United States, or a driver's license from your own country. You must be at least 21 years old (many agencies require 25 years). You must have either a major credit card (i.e. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express) or leave a large cash deposit.

Before signing the contract, be certain of what you are getting! A reputable car rental agency should automatically provide basic liability (covers damage done to others and their property) and standard comprehensive insurance (reimburse for damage to the vehicle) when the rental agreement is signed. Make sure to check whether this insurance covers you, as the driver, as well as the owner of the car. Usually car rental agencies offer a full range of coverage that includes you and your passenger. Although extra insurance may cost more, it is advisable. Many credit card companies cover the extra insurance if the card is used to pay for the rental. Most Americans are covered by their own car insurance when they rent a car within the United States.

Tips:

• Before taking the car, look it over carefully to check for scratches or dents, and point out any problems to the rental agent. This is to ensure you will not be charged for damage that occurred prior to you renting the car.
• Ask about the specific time the car must be returned without penalty charges.
• Before returning the car, fill the gasoline tank. Gas charges will be more if the car rental agency fills the tank.

Train

The train station nearest to Argonne is the Burlington Northern Railroad Station in downtown Westmont near Cass Avenue. The train takes you to Union Station (Canal at Adams Street) in Chicago in about 55 minutes. Express service, taking about 30 minutes is available weekdays during commuter hours from Westmont and from the Downers Grove Station (at Main and Burlington Streets). Schedule and fare information is available on the web site. Schedules are also available at the train stations and at the Newcomers Assistance Office. Limited and restricted parking is available near the train stations. Some suburban towns offer commuter bus service to the local train stations. Check posted signs or with your village or town hall for information about commuter bus service and parking near the train station.

Bus

Pace Suburban Bus (a division of the RTA -Regional Transportation Authority), provides reliable but limited bus transportation. Only one Pace route, # 715, provides transportation on weekdays to and from Argonne in the early morning and late in the afternoon. The bus stops at the Laboratory's Northgate. The route goes through the towns of Darien and Westmont north of the Laboratory and continues to other suburbs further north and west including the Yorktown Shopping Mall and the College of DuPage. Connections with the Burlington Northern Railroad can be made on weekdays at the Westmont railroad station. Route maps, schedules and fare information are available at www.pacebus.com

Argonne University of Chicago Shuttle

There is a free shuttle bus service several times each weekday between the Laboratory and the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park on the south side of the city. Further information and a current schedule can be found on the Argonne Intranet site which you can access once you have computer access on site or by contacting the Newcomers Assistance Office

Getting to Downtown Chicago

A taxi from Argonne to the center of Chicago, a 45 minute drive, will cost approximately $60. Make sure you get a price quote from the taxi office or the driver before you board the taxi. A more economical method of reaching Chicago from Argonne involves the combined use of a taxi and the Burlington Railroad. Take a taxi to the nearest commuter railroad station (Westmont) and from there take the Metra train to Union Station. The cost of the taxi will be approximately $14.00, and the round trip fare for the train $7.60. If you are returning to Argonne the same day, especially if it is late at night, be sure to make a reservation with the taxi company for your return.

When requesting a taxi to pick you up on-site, you must notify the Visitors Reception Center (630-252-5755). If you will be going after hours or on the weekend you may call the Reception Center ahead of time and a pass will be left at the Northgate. For last minute arrangements call Security at 2-5730 and they will notify the gate. Local taxi companies that provide service to the train station are Alliance Taxi (630-968-1323) or Area Taxi Inc (630-515-0448) in Downers Grove. Other companies such as American Taxi (630-305-0700 or americantaxi.com) and 303 Taxi (630-368-0303 or 303taxi.com) provide flat rates to the downtown loop.

Certainly the most convenient way to reach downtown is to drive your own car. Taking I-55 north and merging onto Lakeshore Drive north takes you directly by Museum Campus and to the loop area. Although there are many parking garages in the downtown area likely the easiest one to access from this route is the city operated Millennium Parking Garage (West side - $19 daily rate) and East Monroe Garage (East side - $13 daily rate) underneath Millennium Park.  These large garages can be accessed from North Columbus Dr. at Munroe and provides easy access to all downtown attractions including Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Magnificent Mile. For more information about downtown Chicago parking options check out this website, which lets you search by location or pinpoint an area on the map.

back to index