Traveling for business always requires you to plan ahead, but can also cause headaches when your transportation doesn’t measure up as expected. This is especially true in big cities like Chicago, where over 4,000 miles of municipal streets and avenues can make ground travel a challenge. When you consider how best to navigate in a big city, taking some time to consider your options will help your schedule, your budget and maybe your peace of mind.

Wheels Down

When you’ve arrived at O’Hare, Midway or any of the private airports in and around Chicago, you have a variety of choices for the next leg of your trip. Taxis, shuttles, rentals, public transportation and ride services all have their advantages and disadvantages for your travel timetable and budget. Taxis are frequently available onsite at larger airports and are handy for one-off trips, although they often come with a higher price-per-mile than other services.

Shuttles and public transportation offer a predictable schedule and lower cost, but may leave gaps in your itinerary – or leave you a few blocks from where you want to go. Rentals give you a higher degree of autonomy by literally putting the key in your hand. That autonomy can come with a bigger hit on your expense account for daily use, mileage, insurance and parking. Ride services vary widely in terms of rates, reliability and services offered. Choosing the right one can offer a balance of benefits for your travel plan and your budget.

Wheels Turning

Piecing together your ground transportation on the fly can provide some flexibility at the moment, but can also lead to potential delays. It can also add to the overall cost of your visit. You have the option of planning out the major driving portions of your trip and booking them ahead of time, just as you would with air, rail or other types of travel. The more popular Chicago limo services offer online advanced booking, as well as a range of chauffeured options.

These companies may offer discounted rates for cash-only transactions and provide services to surrounding cities and states when needed. You can help to ensure a reliable choice by looking for stable companies with an established fleet.  Be sure to narrow down your choices to those services that have ongoing processes for vetting drivers and that put a premium on driver qualifications.

If you are also transporting clients or prospective clients, you want to make arrangements with a limo company that prioritizes vehicle safety, quality and comfort, demonstrating its professionalism to passengers. It can take a 20-block ride in traffic and turn it into an enjoyable and memorable experience for you and your clients.

Wheels Up

Ideally, the limo company you select offers the transportation you need for this trip and for subsequent trips that may have different requirements. With a little research, you can create a turnkey driving solution for every trip to Chicago. A company that can get you affordably around town one week, then get you into a long-distance limo the next, can become your go-to choice for your Chicago ground transportation needs.