Cheap Hotel in Chicago and Budget Travel All Over America

Scroll down to score a Cheap Hotel in Chicago, along with budget transportation and the best deals on local activities anywhere in Illinois. 

For low-cost travel strategies all over America, visit the links shown below.

Regardless of your U.S. destination, here's how to enjoy classy vacation packages, rooms at reduced rates, fun, free activities, Fine Regional Cuisine, and other local treasures that don't cost a fortune.


Cheap Hotel in Chicago

To find the very best deal on a cheap hotel in Chicago, look up hotels on Priceline for the city of Chicago, then use the "sort" feature to display the lowest priced accommodations. 

You can even receive an even greater hotel discount by reserving your room at least two weeks in advance. 


Taking advantage of Priceline's promotional features (such as the "Name Your Own Price" option) can slash as much as 60 percent off your hotel rates. 


For example, you can Name Your Own Price to rent a room in a cheap hotel in Chicago downtown for less than $60 a night. A Cheap Hotel in Chicago is not hard to find, once you know where to look. 

Another way to find a Cheap Hotel in Chicago is to stay in one of Chicago's surrounding cities, easily accessible to Chicago by train or bus. Pleasant little cities within 40 miles of Chicago include Aurora, Downers Grove, Elgin, and Joliet. 

Also, check craigslist for sublets, vacation rentals, time shares, and housing swaps. With any luck, you might even score a local temp job. 


Cheap Flights to Illinois

Once you've secured your cheap hotel in Chicago, search Priceline for your desired dates of arrival and departure. Then click the "Name Your Own Price" option. Doing this can save you up to 40 percent on your flight.

Be aware that when you Name Your Own Price, NO changes can be made to your itinerary, and NO part of your payment can be refunded.

For even bigger savings, book your flight at least two weeks in advance.

Also, compare prices for all major airports accessible from your area.

For example, a round trip ticket from San Francisco to Springfield will cost more than to fly from San Francisco to Chicago or Milwaukee.   

Save even more money on your Illinois vacation by booking your flight, rental car, and hotel at the same time on priceline. 


public transportation


BUSES

Two major bus lines serving the state of Illinois are Greyhound and Trailways. Greyhound Stations are peppered throughout the state.  

Here are some of the cities served by Greyhound in the state of Illinois: 

  • Bloomington
  • Champaign
  • Chicago
  • Decatur
  • Kankakee
  • Markham
  • Mount Vernon
  • Quincy
  • Springfield  


Go here for a Complete List of Greyhound Locations.


The Illinois branch of Trailways bus lines (called Prairie Trailways) is based in Chicago.  




PASSENGER TRAINS

Local Amtrak Stations in the state of Illinois are located at 

  • Alton
  • Carbondale
  • Carlinville
  • Centralia
  • Champaign
  • Chicago
  • DuQuoin
  • Dwight
  • Effingham
  • Galesburg
  • Gilman
  • Glenview
  • Homewood
  • Joliet
  • Kankakee
  • Kawanee
  • LaGrange
  • Lincoln
  • Macomb
  • Mattoon
  • Mendota
  • Moline
  • Naperville
  • Normal
  • Peoria
  • Plano
  • Pontiac
  • Princeton
  • Quincy
  • Rantoul
  • Rockford
  • Springfield
  • Summit


Amtrak also provides bus connections at Danville, Rock Island, and South Beloit.

Check Amtrak's website for deals and special offers.

image credit: railwaybulletin.com


top 10 chicago destinations

Here is a list of the top 10 Chicago attractions, chosen for both fun and educational value, but mostly fun. These destinations were specially selected at USLearning.net. 


  1. University of Illinois                                                Champaign
  2. Art Institute of Chicago                                           Chicago
  3. Field Museum of Natural History                               Chicago
  4. Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Tours                                 Chicago
  5. Magnificent Mile (N. Michigan Ave)                           Chicago
  6. Museum of Science and Industry                              Chicago
  7. Symphony Center (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)     Chicago 
  8. Willis Tower Skydeck                                               Chicago
  9. Northwestern University                                          Evanston
  10. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum        Springfield


useful links


Illinois Fact & Photo Gallery 


Universities and PhD Programs in Illinois

Illinois Community Colleges 


Illinois Greyhound Bus Stations

Work From Home in Illinois


Adventure Learning (main page)