Chicago to St. Louis

[rich2202]

Originally Posted by EmileH

Boy was that a fun night. Avoid US Coachways like the plague. Amtrak is a reputable, long standing company and if you book seats on the train, they're yours only. I'd recommend the train as it is cheaper and a heck of a lot more fun than a bus

FYI: US Coachways is NOT the same as Coach USA. We use Coach USA and have been happy with them. They have their own busses.

Note: Whether Amtrak is cheaper or not depends upon whether you need transportation in St. Louis:

1) O'Hare Airport in Chicago to Amtrak Station downtown
2) Amtrak Station in St. Louis to Hotel
3) Between Hotel and Arena - Morning and evening each day
4) Arena to Amtrak station after event
5) Amtrak station in Chicago to O'Hare airport

Amtrak is $54 per person round trip (don't know about group discount). You might be able to rent a Coach Bus for about $80/person for the entire trip.

[RyanShoff]

Here is Illinois based bus option: https://peoriacharter.com/

[neshera]

In Springfield, there are lots of Abraham Lincoln sites; but your team might find this to be like Americans visiting Har Herzl or Sdeh Boker. My two favorites:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: http://www.alplm.org

Lincoln's Tomb: http://www.lincolntomb.org

For a quick stop, weird outside "sculptures", and ice cream and snacks for sale: Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, IL: http://https://www.google.com/maps/p...d2c9d6d95c7dbd

Also - FYI, I am Malka and Eli Glas' brother-in-law's brother. Let me know if I can be of any help!

[DonRotolo]

If you take the train (a reasonable option) you then have the disadvantage to not having transport around St Louis, thus limited to the local subway or walking. With a charter bus you also have a way around town if desired. AMTRAK is a quasi-private (meaning Government-subsidized but needs to try to make a profit) entity, and they are good but train travel is possibly the least desirable transit option in the USA.

Between those two cities, as many have noted, there isn't much but farmland.

I would at least inquire the cost from ORD to STL by air; it may be less than expected.