Union Station is the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago now. The station is almost entirely underground on the west side of the Chicago River. Another highlight of the Union Station is the magnificent Great Hall there. It is considered as one of the greatest indoor spaces in the country. Many elegant special events are held there.
Union Station serves as an important traffic hub in the country. For passengers who want to know general station or train information, you can contact Amtrack at 312-655-2066 or Metra at 312-322-6777. Or you visit the following pages to know more train info:
Amtrack
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage
Metra
http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html
As Union Station is conveniently located between Adams Street and Jackson Street, it's easy to reach by car. Parking is quite easy there either. The large self-parking garage of Union Station can accommodate both long term and short term cars. The garage is on S. Canal St. between Van Buren & Jackson on the left side of the street.
As for the parking rate of the station parking garage, it's $8 for 1/2 hour or less, $12 for 1 hour or less, $15 for 2 hours or less and $17 for up to 12 hours. You must pay for $20 if you need to park for 24 hours.
Early Bird Special, Evening Special and Weekend Special are available at the station parking garage. If you are in between 5-9 am and out between 2-7 pm, you just need to pay $16. Evening Special costs even less, only $12. You need to be in between 2:30-11:30 pm and out by 8:30 am. On weekends, you just need to pay $12 for 12 hours. It will cost you another $5 for longer time. For more assistance, please call 321-786-0111.
As to how to get to the station parking garage, you can follow the routes we shared with you. If you came from the south and west, firstly you should find a way to merge onto I-290. Then take the exit toward Canal Street. Next you should turn left onto W. Harrison St. and then left onto S. Canal St. Now you can find the entrance of the garage on Canal St. between Van Buren & Jackson.
If you come from the north, you might take I-94 towards Chicago. Then take the East Jackson Blvd/300 South Exit. Next you should drive along Jackson Blvd. Follow the signs and turn left onto S. Canal St. And there is the entrance of the parking garage.
Another option for you is to park at the Grant Park parking garage on Michigan Ave. It's a huge parking garage providing a total of 1350 parking spaces. The entrances of the garage are between Congress Parkway and Jackson Street on South Michigan Avenue. The parking rate is $5 for 20 minutes or less, $10 for 40 minutes or less, $13 for 60 minutes or less and so on. The daily maximum is $28. Evening parking is also available at a rate of $17. You might need to know more info about the Grant Park parking garage on Michigan Ave, please visit:
Grant Park parking garage
http://www.millenniumgarages.com/garages/grant-park-south-garage.aspx
You can look for more downtown parking garages at or around your destination on this page:
Chicago Parking Map
http://chicagoparkingmap.com/index.jsp#
