From Kalamazoo to Wrigley

Hello,

I live in Kalamazoo Michigan and would like some advice on the best way to get to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game. I would either like to take the rails the entire way, or could drive to South Bend or Michigan City and catch a train there, or should I drive to the south side of Chicago and catch the L?

Tron

The Blue Water leaves K'zoo at 09:41a arrives CUS 11:14a
Return Wolverine leaves CUS 6:30p arrives K'zoo 9:30p Cubbies day games usually start at 1:20pm

From CUS: Walk or cab or [Bus - 126 - Jackson - Direction: Congress Plaza] over Jackson Blvd to CTA: Get on Howard/Dan Ryan red line(State Street subway) at the Jackson/State station. Take the northbound train to the Addison Street stop, which lets out one block east of the ballpark.

Night game: You could drive down to Michigan City, take the CSS&SB 2:41PM to Van Buren then same subway to Wrigley and return.
Last trains on weekdays from Van Buren to Mich City is at 11:03PM or 12:48AM

I wouldn't bother with Amtrak, it's much less reliable than South Shore. Drive I-94 to Beverly Shores or Michigan City and catch a train there. They're frequent and within ten minutes of the advertised. Amtrak can be 1-2 hours late with the NW indiana congestion.

The best way is to drive to Michigan City, IN, and catch a South Shore train towards Chicago, South Bend does not have many trains as Michigan City, and with Amtrak, like Tadman said don't bother with it., not only you have to make advance reservations, once it gets on the NS Chicago Line at Porter trains can run from 1 to 2 hours late, and in some occasions 2+ hours late.

There might be a little delay on the South Shore, but it wont be a long delay as taking Amtrak, in which it dodges very heavy freight traffic coming to, and from Chicago.

Once you get into Downtown Chicago you can get off either at Van Buren, or Millenium/Randolph station, and walk 2 blocks west on Jackson(from van buren station), or Randolph(from Millenium/Randolph station) towards state street, once you get to state street you will go towards the red line stations entrances that is on state street, and catch a northbound red lineHoward train to Addison station in the park is just west of the Addison red line station. There is no reason to catch a bus from the stations, plus CTA bus drivers don't give out transfers anymore, or catch a cab, and you will be paying a lot more.

Just an idea, riding amtrak to MC, and walk to the South Shore downtown, just a few blocks.

I don't recall if the station to the north was part of the grand rapids routing or the K'zoo routing or if they meet up, which means going to St Joseph and hopping on.

Knocks off about 45 minutes driving.

Just throwing an idea out as a possibility to try.

Although all the Amtrak Michigan Service trains go through Michigan City, only one train a day in each direction actually stops there (#352 westbound at 1:19 p.m. and #355 eastbound at 9:11 p.m.), so dinwitty's suggestion, while possible, is not very practical.

Hello TronC and welcome to our group...

Id follow JamesT idea myself, the route he gave is probably the preferred route for any Railfan and anyone wanting to keep OK time on the way to Chicago. Amtrak forget it ! Those Michigan service trains keep horrible on time performance. However if you are really looking to for the "Quickest" route then sadly none of the post here so far would help you Unless its a Friday evening or rush our traffic in the morning. The Quickest form where you are sadly during midday and for a return late in the evening is to Drive to Chicago and park your car somewhere around a "L" line. I'd suggest the Red line 95th St. station( dan ryan L) you can park on State street along side Abbott park ( Ive done it many of times) or the 87 st. Jewel/Osco parking lot same Red line Dan Ryan L ( a lot of tour and casino bus group park there cars there and load from there as well so your car will be fine for an extended period of time) and you can make a seamless 1 shot Red line trip all the way to Wrigley field, No buses, no transfers, no double fare, just a short few 100 meters walk on both ends. benefit with taking the L you will never have to wait more than 15 min for a train during peak and midday and they run all day and night long. No fear unlike missing an Amtrak then your screwed totally, or a Southshore @ SouthBend then your screwed for 4+ hrs or @ Michigan city, your screwed just about 2 hrs. Same Problem is in effect when leaving Chicago by Southshore line after 7 pm you miss a train your waiting 1-2 hrs for another one. Not to knock the SS line idea its great If u want to relax, take a nap, and kick your feet up, as I said its Also my preferred route (just don't be late). However if were talking about QUICKEST,& EASIEST, and Im guessing your like the lot of of Cubs fans and Know you don't even want to think about trying to get parking on the Northside, on a game day so your opting for public transit I believe my Idea would suit you best. Good luck

PS: This might be your SAFEST bet as well, if the game goes into extra innings or cancels due to rain delay...