fly or drive to Toronto (Chicago, Wilmette: 2015, taxis, live)

[Chicago60614]

I don't get it.....why wouldn't you fly?

[mayhem_223]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Porter Air flies from Toronto City Airport to Midway, bypassing two of the world's busiest airports. I don't know the price, but it seems worth checking out.

Not worth it, plus for me it takes longer to drive to mdw through worse traffic from where I live, with more expensive parking, flight and the airport is not really less busy, have you forgot southwest and how many regional destinations it reaches?

[mayhem_223]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I don't get it.....why wouldn't you fly?

No need to rush to airport, follow timetable, because it's more like medium long range , though I realize I will be probably very tired from working night shift over weekend into Monday morning and my adjustment to daily mode. At this point I doubt it's worth saving $130-150 bucks. And my departure is next day !

[Lucky Clover]

Fly.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by mayhem_223

which would you prefer?

I live in suburbs, to me it will take 9-10 hours, over 294-94-through michigan port huron. or I could just take AA flight from Ohare to Toronto Pearson AND cut whole trip in half time. Drive will cost me around $130 (being little conservative with gas price) while flight would cost me extra $170 but eliminate parking that will cost me $60.

With that said, there may be cheaper option to BUF but I ain't gonna bother with time consuming transfer to bus or train and I hate buses!

If I choose car, I hope there are some few rest stops in Canada along 402/401. I found on recent road trip to PA last year having many of them along i-90 in indiana, ohio was very convenient. Anyway what do you think?

A few factors:

1) Porter from Chicago-Midway to Toronto City Airport is a great option in that you are close to the city. Do realize that you will need to take a water shuttle to get downtown. If you need a rental car, you can get one at a city location. Porter has had some good fare sales recently.

2) Parking in Toronto is almost as costly as in DT Chicago. Having a car is a true liability in Toronto. Unlike the CTA, the TTC actually services the entire Metro Toronto area.

3) The 401 between Detroit and London is the most boring stretch of highway that I have driven.

[ERS-One]

I've made the round trip drive 3 times. Wasn't too bad, and I liked having my car available. I was able to find parking lots near my hotel that'd cut me in-and-out deals over multiple day stretches. The drive from Windsor to about Brantford on 403 is as equally dull as any trip down I-57. Only had a snafu one time crossing the border due to some bizarre circumstances beyond my control. I have never flown, but wouldn't object to it. The preference may be influenced by what you're planning to do once you get there.

[billiken]

Whatever you do, don't fly to Buffalo and take a bus to Toronto. My husband is from the area, and we made the mistake of taking the bus once--the border check on a bus is pure hell. It took us nearly 5 hours to get to Toronto (should be under 2 hrs).

[mayhem_223]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

A few factors:



2) Parking in Toronto is almost as costly as in DT Chicago. Having a car is a true liability in Toronto. Unlike the CTA, the TTC actually services the entire Metro Toronto area.

3) .

But at least CTA, has direct subway connection to both airports. I just looked at YYZ website and as of now only taxi/limo or shuttle bus are only most direct options. More than likely I'll take bus because its frequent, cheaper and I will have plenty of time, my only beef it requires transfer at westin harbour castle to another shuttle to my hotel (Bond) but at least its only 3 stops in between.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by mayhem_223

Not worth it, plus for me it takes longer to drive to mdw through worse traffic from where I live, with more expensive parking, flight and the airport is not really less busy, have you forgot southwest and how many regional destinations it reaches?

No, I haven't forgotten SW. Have you ever been to Pearson? It makes O'Hare look like a playground.

[mayhem_223]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

No, I haven't forgotten SW. Have you ever been to Pearson? It makes O'Hare look like a playground.

I have been to HKG airport and it's definitely bigger in terms of building space. They even have in town check-in counters for airlines that print boarding pass and take checked-in luggage in some subway stations. Then you board express train, relax, go through security, immigration exit control (still faster than single point with TSA) and shop at airport "mall" before your flight.