Carpool

[detwaa84]

Sorry to be starting such a silly topic. But does anyone know how I can find carpooling information to/from Chicago. I go there regularly for business and pleasure and prefer to save money that way. I always hear of people carpooling to places, but how and with who. Do you actually have to know the person. I'd appreciate your input.

[wolverine]

Well there's always megabus.....

You are probably better off knowing somebody. Such is the case with so many people in Ann Arbor with Chicago ties or who are Chicago residents but currently attend U of M.

[Jin Kim]

Another vote for Megabus.

[detwaa84]

I always take Megabus and its never as cheap as people say it is. Usually runs between $25-35 (one way) for me. I guess that's kinda cheap, but what happened to their $1 deals.

[wolverine]

This is because you are not booking your trip at least 1 month in advance. I just tried it for the end of January and it came to $1 Regardless, just a couple weeks from now, it's still just $8.

If it's not the trip there that will cost you, it's the elevated CTA prices -- ouch.

I wouldn't bother paying for a bus trip that's $30 oneway. With current gas prices you shouldn't pay more than $70 round trip by car (unless you take the Indiana Tollway). Parking should cost you nothing if you use the CTA park and rides on the weekends.

[detwaa84]

Thanks for the advice. I'd never take my own car, its a lease and already over its milage

[Michigonian]

Amtrak is always a good option if your not in a hurry. Save money by booking ahead of time (weekdays are very reasonable) and if you have AAA or Student Advantage Card you will get 10-15% reduced fare. I like taking Amtrak becuase you get a lot of room to move around, and there are always cool people on the train that are friendly (and you can have a drink!)...

Amtrak is not the cheapest or fastest way to get from Michigan to Chicago, but it is a fun change of pace. Expect average fares from Detroit to Chicago to be $50-$90.

[wolverine]

^ Those are bit steep. Same deal as I mentioned with Megabus. Purchase in advance, look for deals, and even with Amtrak you can work your fare down to the $40 range round trip.

[statedude3]

Those Amtrak prices seem really high. I travel Detroit to Philadelphia and DC quite regularly on Amtrak (i enjoy rail travel because I can get where I'm going but still have the time to sit back and relax--something that you don't get in flying) for less than $100. I would be shocked to hear that traveling the short Detroit-Chicago distance would be anything above $50.