If you’re planning a business trip from California to Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. Your first order of business will be figuring out how to get there and where to stay. When it comes time for your trip, you’ll probably want help figuring out what to do while you’re in town.
In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the process of traveling on business. It includes a thorough guide from booking the best hotel in Chicago’s Loop area, finding fun things to do that are close by, and getting a good deal on an airline ticket. We’ll ensure that all of our suggestions are within easy walking distance or public transport away from your destination (the Loop) for each section of the guide.
Getting There
If you’re arriving in Chicago by air, your options are to fly into O’Hare International or Midway Airport. Both get serviced by numerous airlines and generally have plenty of flights as choice options. It takes around 4 hours from California to Chicago by flight. You can find out about car service to Midway Airport for the best rides in and out of the airport.
If you are coming via another city within the United States, it’s not too difficult to find cheap roundtrip tickets on one of the many low-cost carriers. One nice thing about flying into O’Hare is that they run a train directly between the airport and downtown Chicago. If you use this option, be aware that passengers often have difficulty accessing other parts of Chicago via public transportation once they reach their destination.
Some visitors rent cars for their trips, but this can often be more hassle than it’s worth.
Rental Car
You will need to decide whether you are going to need a rental car for your trip to Chicago. If you are just staying in the city, there is no need for a car. The Chicago metro system is very comprehensive and takes you almost anywhere you need to go in the city and environs. However, if you are planning on traveling outside of the city, it may be necessary to rent or use your vehicle.
The other factor that can influence whether or not you need a car is the type of business traveler you are. For example, if you attend meetings regularly, having a car handy might make sense to you. If this isn’t something that often happens on your trips, renting a vehicle when needed might be more cost-effective and prudent than paying for parking every day while in Chicago.
Where to Stay
When picking a hotel, you have a few options. If you’re flying in and out of Chicago, it’s worth considering staying at one of the hotels near O’Hare International Airport. The airport is conveniently near major highways; also, cabs are easy to find so that you can get around to your meetings easily.
If your business trip will take you downtown a lot or involve sightseeing or socializing outside of work hours, it would be best to stay at a hotel downtown. While the downtown area doesn’t offer direct access to the airport, it’s still reasonably convenient by car or cab. Also, it offers proximity to all kinds of entertainment venues and restaurants.
Dining Out
The Windy City has a lot to offer in terms of dining out. You’ll have the option of sampling food from all over the world or taking part in local favorites such as deep-dish pizza or steaks. The city also has many options for vegetarians and even some restaurants that cater exclusively to vegans.
If you are a vegetarian, you’ll have many excellent choices of places to eat. Karyn’s on Green is an exclusively vegan restaurant with multiple locations around the city. Some other options include Mana Food Bar and Kitchen 17, which both serve delicious vegan alternatives that you won’t be able to get anywhere else.
Conclusion
Chicago is a great city to visit for a business trip with its extensive public transportation offerings and venues.
Since Chicago is a popular destination, several hotels specialize in hosting business travelers. These hotels offer helpful amenities such as conference centers, meeting rooms, and concierge services to assist you during your stay.
