1. How far is it from O'Hare airport to Union Station, and how long does the taxi ride take? Is the traffic a likely issue and is it significantly lighter on a Sunday as compared to Monday?

2. There are countless Chicago tourist hotels available on internet web sites, but most of them seem to be between one and three miles east/north-east of the station. I don't really want to o/n unless I have to, but should it be necessary are there any reasonably priced hotels within a few blocks of the station? Or am I better staying nearer the airport and coming into town on the following morning?

3. If I do o/n I'll have a morning to kill before the train, what is convenient to see/visit and (sorry, but it's a fact of life these days if you're a stranger in a big city) are there any areas near the station to avoid?

There is a ton to do downtown... that all depends on your "fancy." Great musuems, shopping, aquariums and food.

First take the SWC. The layover in San Antonio can be terrible, especially if your in coach, since the Sunset can be very late. Although the Eagle can be late as well making the layover not as bad. Plus the Eagles country view isnt as good as the Chiefs. You go through suburbs in Texas and its quite odd what you'll find in someones backyard(Mcdonalds Playplace, Hundreds of wrecked cars).
Places to see: The Pier, Museum of Science and Industry, Art Museum, Take an "L" ride to Addison and see Wrigley.
I know there is a holiday inn near the station and one near the pier(ryhmes)(Holiday Inn City Centre)Maybe the Holiday Inn and Suites http://www.hotelscheap.org/hotel/hotelinfo.asp?mem=1277&searchtype=hotel&hotelid=152668&location=DOWNTOWN%2D+UIC%2D+UNION+STATION&latitude=&longitude=&checkindate=06%2F15%2F2003&ch eckoutdate=6%2F18%2F2003&numberOfAdults=2&numberOfBeds=1&specialRate=N&rating=3%2E0&city=Chicago&state=IL&country=US .

Directions: http://maps.yahoo.com/py/ddResults.py?Pyt=Tmap&ed=Hi9s6OV.wim.u9civbbdqiC_hEKiZcs.a_B6sObIQ1Yua6A5II8MaJ3NwYrCWbMTVSSICAdsDP67BCfofd46RHwlonuGWc99hKE0pg--&newcsz=CHICAGO,+IL,+US,+6 0607&newcountry=us&newtcsz=Chicago,+IL+60661&newtcountry=us

I've stayed in the Essex hotel, the Travelodge, and the Congress Plaza. All were opposite Grant Park which is a short taxi ride to Union Station. The Travelodge was pretty dire but they were renovating it (we had an old room), you may want to steer clear just in case it's still naff.

Last time I looked, 3 nights in a sleeper on the Eagle was cheaper than 2 nights in a sleeper on the Chief. If you've been on neither, then the Chief is probably better. But the Eagle is definitely worth a trip one day.

Be at the station a good 1/2 hour before departure. If you're in sleeper, remember that there's a lounge you can use with free drinks and (usually) snacks.

Geoff M.

Edit: Ah... no diner between DFW and SAS.

I usually fly into Midway and take the CTA Orange Line downtown and walk to the station. If you have time, a CTA daypass allows you to ride the train and buses, and you can bus to downtown places like the Art Institute or Aquarium.
Just try a Google search on Chicago tourist and explore. A new site I used to plan an Empire Builder trip to Seattle this summer is http://www.tripadvisor.com/ . Its reviews are helpful.

aside to Uncle Buck: "suburbs in Texas..."? C'mon, we have some scenery here, too.
However, Uncle Buck's rec on the SWChief makes great sense.

I've saved a lot of money using Priceline for hotel stays. Last fall I bid $46 for a night at a four star O'Hare area hotel and got the O'Hare Hilton ($58 including tax & service charge)

Bidding for Travel is a good source of detailed information on Priceline bidding.

1. Forget about taking the subway. It's a local, so it takes for-ev-er to get from O'Hare to downtown. Did it once, and I'll never do it again. I've gone between Union Station and the Hyatt Regency O'Hare (which is only a mile or so from O'Hare), and a taxi was no problem. A taxi will take you less than a half-hour in no traffic, and will be no more than $30. Even if there is traffic, I've never experienced traffic so bad that it was unbearable...the only really sticky part is where 90 and 94 come together.

2. This doesn't quite answer your question, but I can recommend a great hotel that would just be a short cab ride from Union Station: the Best Western River North Hotel. It is clean, has a friendly staff, a lovely indoor pool, a nice bar/restaurant, and is in a good location. There are many great restaurants, art galleries, and shops within walking distance. My husband and I have stayed there twice, and were happy with it both times. The rates are very reasonable as well. Further down the same street (Ohio Street) is the Best Western Inn of Chicago...no pool, smaller rooms, but good rates, friendly staff, better restaurant, and closer to the North Michigan Avenue shops, movie theaters, etc.

3. The area around Union Station is pretty nice, a lot of business and really no residential (so there's really nothing open after mid-afternoon). If the weather is nice, you can take a water taxi from right by Union Station over to North Michigan. From there, you can go shopping, head up to the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the Hancock Center for a drink, or catch a shuttle to Navy Pier. If you're around in the summer, there is a free shuttle bus that stops at popular locations. If you have 2-3 hours free, take one of the boat tours of Chicago...it's fun and a great way to take some good photos!

Plus the subway costs only $1.50. In fact, they sell unlimited ride day passes so you can use the el and buses while you're there.

Try the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart. They won't say it on their Web site, but rooms on the south and west sides have great views of the north throat of Union Station and North Western Station as well. Ask for a view of the tracks (they'll look at you strangely).

I would think you could "hold it to" some US$150/ni in that area. There is an abundance of restaurants and entertainment as well (never mind that I can remember when such was a commercial area in which I would not wish to be after dark, but that is ancient history).

Go South of the River, and you are looking at brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, Omni, etc; the topper to me is that a favorite Loop haunt (the Midland) of the "low-bud" crowd is now "metamorphed" into a "W"; the obligatory US$300/ni rates are of course in place.

Apparently you get much longer in Albuquerque these days, that is if I can spell it! The trinkets the locals sell on the platform are worth browsing. There is a burrito van that is highly recommended, although not liking them myself means I didn't try them :-(

Generally, I bid for 2-star or a 2.5 star, and have recently landed rooms at both the Hyatt Regency (a huge convention hotel) and the Tremont (a much smaller, older "landmark" hotel). Saved a bundle, too.

Well, the booking is made. I decided on the Southwest Chief from CHI - LAX in standard bedroom. I thought $225 for the sleeper upgrade was excellent value, especially as the CZ upgrade cost me $373 last year just from Osceola - Reno (and the Pound now buys $1.67 as compared to last year's $1.42!!)

One other point to note, as I'm heading up the coast from LAX, I typed in Grover Beach (GVB)as my final destination and the rail fare from CHI - GVB was exactly the same ($122) as was CHI-LAX, so I've saved myself another $26 by not booking LAX - GVB separately. As we say in England..."Result!".

Day 1: Crossing the Mississippi at Ft. Madison

Day 2: Climbing Raton Pass west of La Junta, CO. Climbing Glorieta Pass. The stop in Albuquerque. Look for the Southwestern Indian handicrafts and jewelry for sale.

Day 3 (especially if you're late): Barstow to Bakersfield over Cajon Pass. Spectacular mountain railroading.