Only basing a review such as this on the architecture alone, Chicago's Union Station is one beautiful masterpiece! Much like NY's Grand Central, there's the great hall area that's just mind blowing in size and details! Union Station is known as the railroads to anywhere depot of sorts. Almost any major railroad in this country passes through here and it's quite the site to walk in off a train to see some of the large double decker trains ready to roll. read more

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let's see where should i start oh i know yesterday me and my wife and like 50 other people was scheduled to take the 6:00pm train to michigan (detroit michigan to be exact but our train left at 8:pm last night oh and that's not the worse part , the worst part is it's now almost 9am and we are still on this train ride from hell !! we have been told two different lies the first one is the switches and tracks are frosen that cant be true because i just saw another train just blew past my train at 70miles an hour oh and this other excuse is they are out of time meaning they are off duty what the hell are these guys on oh yeah happy freaking New Years Oh yeah did I mention that I'm still on this train and it's 11:40 am now . PS FOR THOSE OF YOU WONDERING IF I MADE A PHONE CALL TO AMTRAK YEP BUT THE OFFICE IS CLOSED BECAUSE ITS NEW YEARS !! imagine that read more

What a horrible experience at Chicago. The workers there were beyond unfriendly and kind. It was my first time on an Amtrak and last thanks to Chicago. Please get some manners. It was awful to say the least. read more

3.5 stars - but the schedule signs really need an upgrade. There's so much to say about Union Station, yet so little. It's a great train station with one major flaw -- signage. Read on for more! The good: - It's Union Station. I feel like I'm going on a grand adventure every time I take the train to/from here - whether it's while commuting or simply popping into the city for fun. - The restaurants have gotten a MAJOR upgrade over the years. The McDonald's is borderline space-age after a recent rennovation, Dunkin Donuts and Nuts on Clark are also present, and there's even a Pret -- all within a few feet of one another. The bad: - The. Signage. Is. Horrific. Depending on where you enter, you'll either struggle to figure out when/where your train is departing from, or you won't find it at all. - It can be a bit of a maze. Arrivals are usually a walk in the park, but departures can be a challenge. Depending on where your train is parked, you might have to do a lot of hunting (which can take a lot of time), so give yourself ample time to find your train before it's due to take off. read more

Chicago Union Station = F'ing mad house on weekday mornings and afternoons. Getting through all the people getting off trains and trying to get to trains is about is fun as licking a cactus! And the slow walkers who like to move at a snail pace will drive a fast or normal pace walker to the brink of homicide. Also, the random homeless people hanging around the station isn't always a pleasant experience when you trying to get to your train and get called names because you don't give up any of your hard earned money. The good thing about this station is that the Metra trains are typically on time going out in the mornings. Coming into the station in the afternoon the trains tend to be a couple minutes late, which causes people getting off these late trains to be running like they in the Olympic 100 meter dash to their next train or bus. read more

Union Station is one of those places that gets 5% better each year, very small and long to finish updates. Still needs a lot of updates to bring it to 2018 but hopefully it will get there. What still needs to be updated is the very small waiting area for the Amtrak trains. When there are numerous trains arriving at the same time it is a complete chaos. Lines for trains intertwine so people cut in because they don't know where they end, very frustrating. read more

Considering I usually travel by ai, the layout and direction of this station was confusing at first. We had a bus transfer here and had to ask 3 different people where to go. The station is beautiful and the food was good. Of you don't mind the time it takes, travel by train at least once. read more

Chicago Union Station - Train stop - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was at Amtrak's Chicago Metropolitan Lounge on 9/20/2019 and had a great experience. My first-class ticket provided me with access as part of my accommodation charge, and after a really busy morning it was a welcome break. The lounge was clean, well-kept, and in fact looked brand new. There were complimentary refreshments, TV, and WiFi. I also took a shower which was really welcome. This was exactly the kind of thoughtful modern amenity that every large train station should have. And no, this was not an airline type of experience, but then again that's the whole idea. read more

I came here for my Company's Holiday party and it was awesome how they blocked out a section of the station...very spacious and nicely decorated! Food: there were many options from sushi, meat (with meat carvers) , grilled cheese, pasta, dessert... I'm sure they can host many great events here, but one complaint is that it is cold...and for some reason they won't allow you to sit on the steps?...I have no clue why (maybe fire hazard?...) ----------------------------------------------------------- Non-event day It is usually busy or very empty and I would say the building gets really cold during the wintertime.. I would agree with Laura N that the bathrooms are dirty and has the "closed" signs by them very often... If you are bored while waiting for the train, there are some restaurants and a food court area where you can sit down and eat.. or just sit down and people watch ... or sit down and read..or use wi-fi...etc.. :) In the summertime, it's nice to wait outside... I'll probably be here again since I take the train sometimes to go from the city to the suburbs and vice versa...it would be nice if they had a French Market here like the Ogilvie Station does...:) read more

Amtrak had national train day here today so I made a day of it. With the event and all that the station has in it you can spend a few hours and just take the train back. Between the event I visited the food court and relaxed in one of the bars, he'll I'm not driving. If you are a people watcher this would be a good place to visit because I saw a super hero in bar, see my picture. read more

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Beautiful place!!! I love the actual build of it. I was super surprised to see that there was no metal detectors or anything. Just a cop and a dog. I didn't feel the safest but I did pray hoping that would help. The conductor that was loading us on the train was very rude. He was like " Get up there, hurry up" Not so great customer service but he didn't seem to care. The ride was nice and relaxing. Nice experience!!! read more

Chicago Union Station - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Though visibly appealing to the eye due to the old-school, vintage infrastructure, this place is a mad house that I absolutely dread during my daily morning/5pm commutes. Their timing for Metra trains is sh*t: too many trains coming in at the same time = a complete and utter mess of crowds. The good things: It has some Amish? people that come in and setup shop that have the most amazing breads, pastries, and other sweet treats. It's not everyday so you have to look out for them, but seeing them makes my day slightly better. lol. This place is also the perfect instagram, time lapse, facebook photo opp - so many people, with beautiful decor. The bad things: Besides the crowds, everything is more expensive...the food, the coffee, etc. since you're in a train station; the homeless sometimes go in there to catch a quick snooze; the drunk people taking Metra's back home are annoying. read more

I might give more stars, but what's advertised by Amtrak is a lie. Their website states that as a first class passenger someone will check your bags and you can "even take a shower". None of this is true, there aren't even bathrooms! I've been here twice now and there is never enough staff - only one poor person at the front who gets stuck answering one persons question forever while a long line of people wait to be allowed in. It's absolute chaos at the front. And there is no one to check your bags, just a tiny room where you can leave your bags unattended with dozens of other bags. It didn't feel safe AT ALL - especially given that there is only one person at the front. In addition I saw some elderly and disabled customers struggling with their bags who were told no one was allowed to help them as it was against policy for them to bring the bags out. Nice. When you get inside there are no bathrooms. I never found a shower or anyone to ask. You have to walk out to the hall area and follow the signs if you need to use the facilities. **edit: it appears there are closer bathrooms in the boarding hall by the front of the lounge but not "in" the lounge. perhaps the problem is the staff who were so overwhelmed they just said "out side" to me when I asked. The coffee is good and there are a LOT of chargers all around for your electronics. The kids area is great but not many kids used it. It also wasn't sealed off like advertised. But it's very clean and the free wine (which was attended by more staff then the front) is a nice touch. There are free veggies and some cheese but they are ADAMANT about no outside food. Sorry, but when you've been stuck on a train for 36 hours and are waiting for another train, they time the trains so you don't get at least one or two meals. With only 90 min to wait, it's too short a time to eat at a restaurant. Being able to bring in food from another location in the station used to be one of my pleasures. I was REALLY looking forward to the new lounge on this trip and I was sadly disappointed. Frankly, even with the old furniture, the previous lounge catered to customers much better. read more

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***While I did not take any trains here, Chicago Union Station is a beautiful and historic location that was featured in many popular and/or classic films such as My Best Friend's Wedding and The Untouchables, which featured a great shootout scene here on the steps leading down to Union Station. I loved the cinema displays highlighting the many movies shot in Chicago and providing detail on filming locations (and not solely dedicated to just films shot at Union Station). Free Wi-Fi is also offered*** I am not sure what the parking situation is, but I imagine there is a CTA station on The Loop that is close by. read more

Union Station has many beautiful areas, and some run-down areas. For those that commute on a regular basis, there is the Metra trains. You basically see the dungeon that it is, down below. Once you're down there, either get on the train or get off the train, but don't spend much time down there. Above, there are a couple places to eat food and ha e drinks. It has plans for improvement, so we'll see how that turns out. For people that are probably not commuting on a regular basis, there is the Amtrak. The waiting area for Amtrak customers is in the large open area that is also used for special events. It's old, but has great architecture and is very beautiful. So, with all that said, if your a local commuter, you probably are going to say it's a dungeon. And if you're an Amtrak customer, it can be beautiful. read more

If you want to take wedding photos inside Union Station then you need to obtain a permit and carry it with you on that day. The cost is $150 and the only way to get the permit is to go into Union Station and speak directly with someone, enter at the Jackson Street side and the office is on the left (office hours are 9am-5pm). Check out the Private Events & Filming- Photography & Filming page of their website for more information. The cost is worth it, the pictures will be stunning as the building is incredibly gorgeous! read more

I've never traveled on an early morning train so I learned it's best to not come in from Adams street near the north concourse. So many people getting off the Metra on their way to work it was hard hauling luggage against the flow. On the upside, the Great Hall is nearly empty and quiet. Love the beautiful marble. Time for coffee read more

Not impressed with this station; however, there is construction taking place with hopeful upgrades. Some hallways are poorly designed for heavy pedestrian traffic and the lighting, dismal. Be sure to look up to admire vaulted ceiling in main areas. read more

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Union Station is one of two main train stations for the Metra in Chicago. I prefer Ogilvie as it is significantly easier to navigate, however, Union Station has a lot more going on as far as transportation is concerned than Ogilvie. For example, there are several bus lines and Amtrak that also use Union Station as a hub. You can also get to O'Hare airport easily from Union Station. Food options are less here than at Ogilvie, and it feels a bit more cramped in this station. I was actually surprised that it seemed like several of the restaurants had no air conditioning when I was last here- and it was really hot! This station serves its purpose but is not my favorite in the city. read more

Where to start, where to start... Maybe it's because of all of the construction, but this place was a nightmare. The entrance/exit where the taxis are located is anything but convenient. The doors aren't automatic which normally isn't a problem IF you're a smaller person with absolutely no baggage. If you're like me with some pounds to spare and a suitcase and a backpack, you'll have a very awkward and probably even painful time getting through the doors. They're heavy and the hinges are all sorts of weird. And if it's windy, forget getting through without the door slamming you right in the face. Also, the same entrance (and I'm hoping the area expands with the construction... probably won't) is soooo small. So small. The second you walk inside you either bump into someone or into the screen that tells when trains are arriving and departing. Everyone kind of crams around the entrance way, so it sucks on many levels. Of course, you can always go up the stairs and out of the way, but I would think you'd want to get out of this place as soon as possible. And the staff... People always say northerners are the rudest bunch and I always deny it because I'm a Nutmegger myself, but my goodness. There is only so much hating your job and making it obvious that you can do. Forgive me for interrupting the conversation you're having with your coworker. I'm just trying to find my way out and maybe buy something warm to drink in this frigid weather. Maybe some hot coffee will warm your cold, black soul. Anyway, I didn't get to explore much because I wanted to get my taxi and go. It does what it needs to do in order to be called a station of sorts... But from what I did see... Hmm. I'll update my review my next time I'm in Chicago. read more

It's a decent train station. Not as crowded or hectic as other ones but has a good amount of traffic. There's a few stores to get magazines and some food. Not the cleanest but not dirty either. The train boards are easy to read, not terribly difficult to navigate. A couple of the cars have brand new seats, and are very clean. The ticket checkers can be a little intimidating but other than that, it's a solid system. read more

Absolutely awful experience riding from Chicago to Albany to go home for the holidays. Train left 3 and half hours late from Union Station. There was little communication on Amtrak's end as to why or how long the delay would be to those waiting for the train. Once aboard, the ride was overall unpleasant due to the dirty conditions of the washroom that were disgusting only a few hours in. Through the 20 hour trek I don't think they were cleaned up once. Food in the restaurant car was out of a microwave and ended up being $30 for two sandwiches and 2 juices. It's a shame how atrocious train travel is throughout the U.S. You couldn't pay me to take a longer- distance trip on Amtrak again. read more

We take the train up from St. Louis to Chicago once or twice a year and always end up here. In the past, we've always gone through the lower or underground levels of the train station. It was kind of like a mall but without the high ceilings - there were stores and fast food restaurants where you could buy stuff before you got on your train. Then you'd gather where your train was leaving from and why they said it was your time, you'd get on the train. It was ok, but nothing great. This time, it was different. For the first time, we arrived and went through the large hall. It was beautiful and quite impressive - kind of like Grand Central Station in New York. So the arrival was good. However, I can't say the same about departing from Union Station. You need to get to the station earlier than your train to check in. So although our train left around 5PM, we checked in around 10AM. We thought it was going to be like Southwest Airlines, where the earlier you check in, the sooner you can get on the train and have better choice of seats. Not so. Although our boarding passes reflected that we checked in much earlier than our train departed, it didn't matter. Now, about 20 minutes before the train leaves, they have everyone line up; it didnt matter what number was on your boarding pass, it was just people lining up. Fortunately we did get near the front of the line, so we were able to sit almost anywhere we wanted. When it was time, they led the line down to the platform, and after a 5-10 minute wait, you get on the train. Here's the problem: it takes longer than before, and at no point from when I got to train station to when I got on the train did I see any stores or places to get something to eat. So we had to get overpriced, lackluster food on the train. Also, since you have to stand in line, you can't go looking for something to eat. So that sucked. Once you arrive, there's nothing to do but wait and then get on your train - no eating, no shopping, no nothing. So in that sense, its worse than it used to be, but at least its in a more beautiful environment. read more

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I'm not sure if the staff are overworked due to COVID or if this is their normal attitudes but it's not pleasant. This is the first time we traveled through Chicago Union Station, but the first time we had a long wait(train time was changed by Amtrak due to earlier train being canceled). With extra time spent in the train station I witnessed several employees treat people as if they were bothering them. read more

I have finally reached a point where I don't get completely lost every time I go into Union Station. My confusion has less to do with the layout of the station than a lack of information. Since I don't use the station all the time, I'm not always entering the same way or going to the same place. And the signs are not very helpful. Fortunately, the employees are. This is, of course, a beautiful old building, designed in part by Daniel Burnham. And by and large, they've done a good job of keeping the newer additions -- such as the fountain in the Amtrak area -- in sync with the older architecture. The Great Hall echoes with history. And sometimes with the sounds of the homeless. God bless urban living. The bathrooms, quite frankly, are a horror show, and could stand a good fire. Clear 'em out and start over. Several CTA bus lines link up with Union Station, which is nice. None of them seem to service the same side of the building, which is not. Once again, the signs inside say "Up to buses and taxis." Yeah, not so helpful. Howzabout letting me know which stairs lead up to the 151. Just for those of us who aren't here every day. Luckily, the Blue Line stops a couple of blocks away, and I can usually find that. One last transit complaint, since I'm here. Metra trains run from Union Station and Ogilvy Station, just down the street. Would it kill them to connect these two stations in some way? Or at least give you some idea of how to get from one to the other, without having to look it up online? A little help, here. read more

I attended a wedding in the banquet hall of Union Station yesterday and it is a beautiful place to have a wedding. The banquet hall is simple yet very elegant and they did a great job of making it very colorful with gorgeous flowers. My only complaint is that there is no air conditioning and it was a surprisingly hot day. It wasn't too bad, but after many hours of dancing with many people it did get pretty hot. read more

Although I enjoyed my Amtrak travel I was not impressed with Union Station nor the employees stationed there. I arrived for a connection at Union Station and saw my train was delayed. I asked the attendant, "Is the Empire Builder to Portland delayed", she looked and said, "Yes, until 6:30". So I left to visit a friend since there is nothing to do in Union Station for 6 hours. When I arrived at my friends house I checked my train and it already left. WHAT? It left on time. To make a long story short, the attendant (and I) looked at the arrival train and not the departing train. I had to spend the night in Chicago and take the train the next day. I understand how I could make the mistake, but the Amtrak employee? The station itself has a beautiful great room, lockers to keep your luggage (finger print activated - very cool), a food court but little else. There is only one news stand (two but owned by the same people), very little selection for reading material. Very little selection for taking food with you on the train. Not much around the station to just pop out and get. No wireless internet. If you are lucky you can find the Caribu coffee outside with the free Wi-Fi. It's blocks away from any other public transportation. You don't have a choice when traveling to Chicago by Amtrak. Just don't have a long delay. read more

Three Stars, because I both love and hate Union Station. LOVE: Robin in the downstairs bar who talks like Fran Drescher and can multitask several drink orders at the same time. HATE: Rush hour. Fucking rude-ass spoiled Napervillian richies who walk with blinders on, much like how they are raised to think that only rich white people exist. LOVE: The Ms. Pacman machine in the arcade. Don't fuck with it! I have eminent domain over it! HATE: The bathrooms. I think only the Port Authority in NYC has them beat in the nasty-nasty department. LOVE: Weekday drink specials at both Bars. $6 Lite pitchers on Mon/Wed, $2.50 Lite drafts Tues/Thurs. HATE: The food court. Could it get any grosser? 65 Chinese? Whew...I don't know what people are thinking. Or the Asian Cajun I-can't-believe-it-exists booth where their beckoning call is "YUMMY YUMMY!!!" Well...though I wouldn't eat at either, I guess Robinson's and Corner Bakery are passable as "said food stuff", like how Kraft Singles say that the product is "processed cheese food." LOVE: The stuffing and mashed potatoes sides from Metro Bar & Grill downstairs!!! You can eat a hearty meal of both for $1.50 per side. HATE: The fact that I am at work and do not hear Robin's voice right now and am not drinking a cold beer while playing Ms. Pacman at the Union Station arcade all the while doing shots of Rumpleminz from the bottle in my backpack before I eat stuffing and mashed potatoes and go pass out on the bus! read more

I am a big fan of the great hall at Union Station. I've seen it dressed up for balls and dressed down for every day travel. When sitting on the big wooden benches it's easy to imagine dapper travelers from the 20's, 30's, and 40's scurrying off to catch their trains with suitcases in hand. Elegant ladies in fur stoles and kid gloves traveling off on some grand adventure. These days, you just see college kids in sweatpants and hoodies, with backpacks strapped to their backs, or harried business folks trying to get home after a long day at the office. But the grandeur of Union Station still remains. read more

Had 25 minutes on a Thursday in January before my train. The lounge now has a bar available with beer, wine and cocktails. Very nice addition. There was also an Employee passing out fancy chocolates during my stay. A great place to spend some time before your train. read more

Chicago Union Station - Train Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a dump. I've been to countless train stations in Europe and the worst one there is still better than this one. It's very disorganized and filthy. One redeeming feature is the Great Hall. Reminiscent of the splendor that travel by train used to have in the US, all other signs of beauty are gone. The other redeeming feature is the fact that Union Station is a quick, convenient, and cheap way in and out of the Windy City. I took the Hiawatha from Milwaukee today and I really preferred this to the traffic and $35 parking lots. So there's that. read more

If your traveling at a great distance the train is always better then driving especially when gas is more expensive then milk....4 dollars a gallon.....hurting...I took the metra to go visit my 5 month pregnant sister and brother-in-law in Aurora! I get on the morning train i think it was like 9:30 and i got there in exactly an hour and ten minutes....Most importantly i was just chilling....not driving.....not paying attention to others driving...just literally chilling....read the whole paper...Every article in the Sports section and then enjoyed the scenery.....People on the train are even cool as i started talking to a Cub fan (what up Tom) He knew i was a Cub fan because i was wearing my Soriano jersey and we just started talking about there amazing season.... On the way back there wasn't as any stops as the train didn't stop at every station....it was only a 45 minute ride back... Overall the train is cheaper....faster....safer then driving.... read more

Nice historical look, but it's beginning to feel outdated for me. This train station services many customers with many inbound and outbound trains per day, but it lacks the more modern upscale vibe of Ogilvie, is a bit confusing to navigate, doesn't really have the nicest or most spacious waiting areas for commuters, and can even be confusing to get into from the street. read more

It's almost impossible to separate the Amtrak operation here from the Union Station facility itself but both are equally terrible so there's no need. If you're used to the openness and efficiency of New York Penn Station or even Grand Central, imagine the opposite. Amtrak employees that clearly have never learned customer service paired with a boarding process that is even worse than Southwest combine for an experience where you will be glad to simply depart to just be out of there. Union Station is large outside but the waiting areas are small in comparison. In a sense, though, that's not relevant since you'll have to stand in line from the moment you arrive since boarding is in order of your position in line. And once the boarding begins, people seem to forget why they were there. The line will move in small chunks, paused by people who don't understand that showing your ticket is going to be part of the boarding process and employees who can't take 20 minutes from their gab-fest to board the passengers. Unfortunately, if you're riding Amtrak in Chicago, there's no avoiding it so there's no incentive for them to improve but just prepare yourself as best you can. read more

Union Station, although it can get very hectic at times, it's also extremely efficient. Mainly because the trains don't wait for you if your late! The architecture is so beautifully detailed once you take the time to notice it. Or if you miss your train. I love Union Station so much I missed my train.... twice. read more

Yet another train station that makes NY Penn Station look like a giant pile of ..... Well you know... In all seriousness though, this is a great example of what a train station should be: organized, clean and easy to navigate. Upon arriving here from a long train ride, I was impressed with how easy I was able to find my way through station and out to the street. There are also a good amount of amenities located within the station. The overall experience was very seamless, as it should be. The station is also located right in the center of downtown Chicago with easy access to public transportation, hotels and restaurants. From a convenience standpoint, it certainly doesn't get any better than this. read more

On the inside, Union Station is a gorgeous building. In particular, the great hall. Unfortunately, this area is almost always closed off. Talk about a waste of unused space. On the outside, Union Station itself isn't anything special. But it's a breath of fresh air to get onto Jackson or Adams with the river right there. It's a nice opportunity to snap some quick pictures of the river and skyline. While the hustle and bustle can sometimes be invigorating, it can also be frustrating. I've often been frustrated when I had to wait for a train. It's not because I am impatient, but it's because there is a major lack of benches. The one bench available, if waiting for a train to Joliet or Aurora, fits MAYBE eight people. And of course they all spread their shit out. I spent many evenings arriving a bit early, only to sit on a few sticky steps. There isn't a lot of seating in the food court area either. Food options are decent - Corner Bakery and Dunkin Donuts are probably the best. And the lady at the Cajun place that yells "YUMMY YUMMY! FREE SAMPLE!" always made me laugh while passing by. The wait for the bathroom is always long. Worse, they close the bathroom at times to clean, so you have to rush to the other side of the station or wait until you get on the train. Both options suck. Union Station and the Metra aren't so bad though. It's centrally located, so I was always able to get to school by walking or bus, or if severely running late, a taxicab. Taxis line up along the curbs outside. The signage inside the station is clear, but your life isn't going to be turned upside down if you exit at Adams instead of Jackson. I'm happy Union Station is there, because if it wasn't, I'd have one less transit option available to me and I would've ended up spending a lot on parking when visiting museums or going to school. But there are definitely a lot of things they could improve on. read more

It's hard to review something like Union Station. It's huge, it's utilitarian, it's historic, it's lovely in some spots, it's crowded and smelly in others. The Great Room is beautifully designed and enchanting. Try to stare from off to the side so you're not being run into by frenzied commuters. The Food Court is generally crowded and chaotic. It serves its purpose but the options are pretty overpriced and mostly there for the convenience of stuck travelers. This is where about half (?) of the suburban Metra lines start and end, so I've spent a lot of time here waiting for the next train. I'm a big fan of Metra in general (although selfishly I wish there were more trains on Saturday evenings) and you can't beat the weekend fare. I've also taken Amtrak from here, which can be a bit of a clusterf#$k but once you're on board, all is well. The e-ticket machines are pretty easy to use. So? Historic, crowded, chaotic, messy, loud, but convenient? Sounds like a train station to me. read more

Let's play a game of True or False: This place makes me have anxiety: True The ticket lines move really fast here: False There is a lot of signage here and if you get lost your an idiot: False There are no automated ticket vending machines: True There were only 2 ticket windows open and I didn't have time to wait over 10 min in line to get a ticket: True Because of that time wait I was able to enjoy walking around the huge and confusing station: False And because of that time wait I had to pay an extra $3 for purchasing my ticket on the train: True They just got credit card machines: True The conductors are sweet as pie: False The trains are comfy and the temperature was juuuuust right!: False The trains were on time: True! This is the only train to get you to certain western suburbs so you have to deal with Union Station in order to see your friends b/c you don't have a car: Unfortunatley true read more

Not a bad train station, lots of plug-in areas for phones, tablets and laptops, free WiFi and plenty of food/vending options. It's big, but pretty well laid-out and everything is easy to navigate, and there are scores of cabs waiting outside to take you anywhere you want to go. However, the trains and their schedules leave a whole heck of a lot to be desired. That area really requires some major improvement! We were left stranded on our train for hours while sitting at this station waiting to depart for Michigan while some hard-core mismanagement and crossed wires of communication kept us in the dark about our delay. Long story short, our train trip back home was canceled and station employees threw everyone off the train at the last minute with no alternative travel plans. The line to get our money back was a joke, so we just decided to forgo it. By that time, the car rental desk had shut down as well. We had no option but to stay another night, so we hailed a cab back to our hotel and booked airline seats for the next morning at no small price. It seemed a bit like extortion. Still, it's a nice train station, it's clean, most things are easy to find and cell phone reception is excellent. It's by no means Grand Central or Penn Station in NYC, but it's pretty nice. Too bad incompetence reigned supreme during that particular trip. read more