cheap Chicago parking for short visit

December 21, 2014 4:45 PM

I'm staying at Hostelling International. It's near the corner of LaSalle and S Michigan, practically adjacent to Millennium Park. I'll try to use public transit as much as I can for the 3 days I'm here, but I expect to use my car a couple times. I'm willing to trade a little convenience to save a little money. Where should I park? Thank you.
posted by stuart_s to Travel & Transportation around Chicago, IL (6 answers total)

I'd recommend at the end of an el line, especially one that goes somewhat suburban. My recommendation would be Rosemont or Cumberland on the blue line which both have lots.
posted by jennybento at 6:09 PM on December 21, 2014

Best answer: I'd even reccomend neighborhood parking for free closer in. Western Blue Line (O'Hare Branch, not Forest Park) is probably the closest that has reliable parking. The blocks immediately surrounding the station are permit, but it opens up not too far away. Only a 10 min train ride back downtown.
posted by hwyengr at 7:03 PM on December 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

I can't speak to neighborhood parking, but Cumberland has always worked extremely well for me. $12/day
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 7:58 PM on December 21, 2014

LaSalle and Michigan are parallel, so I'm assuming you mean the Hostelling Intl at Wabash/Congress, with the Dairy Queen. Try Chinatown, for $14 a day (call to verify, I'm not a local anymore). The lot is right by the Red Line Cermak/Chinatown stop, which is two stops after Harrison (at State, about two blocks from where you'll be), or Jackson (at State, about 3 blocks), taking a Dan Ryan-bound train (not Howard). Bonus: You're in Chinatown and can eat all the things! Enjoy your trip!
posted by sldownard at 1:17 AM on December 22, 2014

Response by poster: I parked near the Western Station of the Blue Line. It took more than 10 minutes to get to and from my hostel, but I still thought it was very convenient. It was exactly the type of answer that I was looking for. It may not have been in Chinatown, but I did see a very interesting taqueria called Las Asadas. I... did not try it. I have read good things about it, though, and I do plan to try it on my next visit. (And, I did get a taco fix elsewhere during my visit.)

Thanks, everybody.
posted by stuart_s at 8:34 PM on January 22, 2015

It took more than 10 minutes to get to and from my hostel, but I still thought it was very convenient.

My bad. I meant it's 10 minutes from Western to Clark and Lake.
posted by hwyengr at 8:56 PM on February 1, 2015