Getting around from The Drake: transit, walking, and biking
The Drake sits at 140 E Walton Place at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, a 3–5 minute walk from Oak Street Beach and within easy walking distance of 360 CHICAGO and Water Tower Place. There is no hotel airport shuttle; use taxis, rideshares, or public transit to reach O'Hare or Midway, and the hotel offers valet and self-parking for a daily fee.
In this guide
Getting to and from the airports
The Drake does not provide an airport shuttle to O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW). BookResorts agents can advise on ground transfers, but the hotel itself does not run a scheduled shuttle service.
Expect a 30–60+ minute drive to O'Hare depending on traffic and about a 30–45 minute drive to Midway; travel times vary by time of day and road conditions. Taxis and app-based rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) are the most direct options from the airport to the hotel.
- No hotel shuttle to ORD or MDW
- Taxis and rideshares operate from both airports
- Consider pre-booked private car or shared van services if you want a reserved pickup
| Airport | Typical ground options |
|---|---|
| O'Hare (ORD) | Taxi, rideshare, private transfer; ~30–60+ minutes by car |
| Midway (MDW) | Taxi, rideshare, private transfer; ~30–45 minutes by car |
Public transit: CTA trains and buses
The Drake is well served by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Two Red Line subway stations are within roughly seven blocks, with the nearest station (Chicago) about an 8-minute walk from the hotel.
Several bus routes run on Michigan Avenue and nearby streets; the Michigan & Oak stop is only a couple minutes on foot and provides local north-south service.
- Nearest Red Line station: ~8-minute, ~2,000-foot walk (Chicago station)
- Nearest bus stop: Michigan & Oak, roughly a 2-minute walk
- CTA is useful for longer downtown trips and connections to other lines; check current schedules and maps before travel
| Mode | Practical tip |
|---|---|
| CTA Red Line | Walk to station for quick north-south subway access |
| CTA buses | Use Michigan Ave stops for short downtown hops |
Walking: nearby attractions within easy reach
The Drake anchors the northern end of the Magnificent Mile. Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place are practically at the hotel's ground level, and 360 CHICAGO is about a 5-minute walk.
Oak Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail sit across the street or a short 3–5 minute walk away, so bringing comfortable shoes is a good plan for strolling the lakefront and shopping district.
- Oak Street Beach: about 3–5 minutes on foot
- 360 CHICAGO / John Hancock Center: ~5-minute walk
- Water Tower Place and Magnificent Mile shops: immediate/one-block access
| Destination | Approximate walk time |
|---|---|
| Oak Street Beach | 3–5 minutes |
| 360 CHICAGO | About 5 minutes |
| Water Tower Place / Magnificent Mile | 1 minute / immediate |
Biking and the Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail is within a five-minute walk of the hotel and is the main route for cycling along Lake Michigan. The Drake is often listed as close to nearby bike rental vendors rather than offering its own rental fleet.
If you plan to bike, look for local rental shops or bike-share services (available in Chicago). Helmets, locks, and Chicago bike rules are recommended; the trail is shared by cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians.
- Lakefront Trail access: ~5-minute walk
- Bike rentals and bike-share stations are available nearby (check current vendor locations)
- Trail is mixed-use—ride courteously and obey local signage
| What to expect | Tip |
|---|---|
| Shared Lakefront Trail | Watch for pedestrians and stay right to pass |
| Bike rentals nearby | Rent locally rather than relying on hotel-provided bikes |
Driving and parking at The Drake
The Drake offers both self-parking and valet parking for a daily fee; self-parking includes in/out privileges and rates are billed separately from room charges. EV charging is available nearby (about 1 mile away).
If you plan to drive, note that downtown traffic and event days can add time to trips. The hotel address is 140 E Walton Place for GPS and delivery instructions.
- Self-parking and valet available for a daily fee (charged separately)
- Self-parking includes in/out privileges
- EV charging: available nearby, roughly 1 mile from the hotel
| Parking option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Self-parking | Includes in/out privileges; daily fee applies |
| Valet parking | Daily fee; 24-hour service |
Concierge, tours and day trips
The Drake's concierge can help arrange tours, architecture cruises, and day trips (for example to Lake Geneva or Milwaukee), and offers ticket and tour assistance at the front desk. The front desk is open 24 hours.
For longer day trips, consider booking through the concierge or via trusted tour operators; the hotel is also within easy reach of regional rail and bus hubs for independent travel to nearby destinations.
- Concierge: tours, ticket assistance, and local recommendations
- Front desk: 24-hour service for arrival and transport questions
- Day trips often available to nearby destinations—ask concierge for options and reservations
| Day trip idea | Typical travel type |
|---|---|
| Lake Geneva | Private or shared coach / drive |
| Milwaukee | Regional car or train options |
| Indiana Dunes | Drive or arranged tour |
