Bicycles in Union Station???

Can I bring my bicycle into Union Station? I've taken my bicycle on Metra Trains before but those were platform stops.  This Saturday I want to take the train out to Aurora but I need to buy a ticket and leave from Union Station.  Can I just carry my bicycle down the stairs and walk it through the Great Hall like I own the place?  Is there so bicycle friendly entrance?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on February 28, 2018 at 4:08am

Yes, you can. I've walked my bike through the station many times--usually before or after boxing my bike for Amtrak shipment.

But there is also carry-on bicycle service on Amtrak on the downstate route to Springfield. And as you note bikes are permitted on Metra (except rush our or whatever).

So, based on the fact that no one has ever said anything to me about me rolling my bike through the station, I think you will be fine. :)

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on February 28, 2018 at 5:19am

Can't wait to use the carry-on/roll-on service between Chicago and D.C. 

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on March 6, 2018 at 11:16am

Yes. Unboxing and reassembling the bike in Pittsburgh at 5AM was a real nightmare. The freight staff there and in Chicago and DC were all great, though.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on February 28, 2018 at 5:55am

Instead of "downstate route to Springfield" I should have written "downstate route to St Louis." Taking Amtrak to St Louis and biking around St Louis would be a great three-day-weekend trip.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on February 28, 2018 at 10:09am

http://www.mcttrails.org/ Madison County Transit bought the abandoned RR right of way and built trails and put bus stops at trails ends.  Map includes St. Louis.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on February 28, 2018 at 10:28am

OMG, seriously. The trails around Edwardsville, IL are awesome. I wish we had a system like that around here.

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Page on March 13, 2018 at 9:03am

I think the mcttrails are the best in IL. You can take a different route every day of the week on it

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on March 6, 2018 at 1:58pm

Take that Lincoln Service train (carry-on) almost to St. Louis.  Get off at Alton IL and cross the Mississippi River to get on the Katy Trail.  Take that along the Missouri River to Windsor Missouri where you can get on the Rock Island Spur, which is relatively new.  It takes you almost to Kansas City. 

There an Amtrak carry-on train from there back to St. Louis.  It's a one-day return trip if you take the morning train back to St. Louis, then the afternoon train back to Chicago. 

A longer extended trip.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on February 28, 2018 at 4:24am

The Clinton St entrances are handicap accessible, and easy to roll a bicycle through. It's the better option than the stairs. I don't think I've every actually went through other entrances...Maybe next time I'll check them out.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 28, 2018 at 4:30am

I've used various entrances, depending on where I was coming from. The accessible entrances are easiest, but you can use any of them.

Permalink Reply by dav on February 28, 2018 at 4:56am

Thanks everyone.  I will confidently take my bike into Union Station on Saturday.  The plan is to take Metra out to Aurora and then ride my bike home (near Wrigley Field) via the Illinois Prairie Path.   The first of many bicycle adventures this spring and summer.  I go slow, about 10-12mph all the way home.  I take a 15 minute rest for every hour I pedal.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on February 28, 2018 at 5:18am

sweet! Have a great ride :-)

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