We're considering a round trip Ind-Chi same day just to get an idea of train travel in general. If they cancel Cardinal leaving Chicago, do they provide alternate transportation or are we stuck finding a rental?
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Cardinal discussion
- Thread starter AmtrakMaineiac
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chadamfleetrailfan
Service Attendant
Sometimes there is bustitution, but it's hard to say.
Just curious, how were you planning to do Indy-to-Cincy same day? Do note that the Cardinal is a night-time service between those two cities. I'm assuming leaving Indy at 12:15A and then getting back into Indy at 5:15A the next day?
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Sorry gotta edit Chicago not Cincinnati. It departs Ind at 6am, with a 10am arrival. Then departs Chicago the same day at 5:55pm.
If you check the schedule on the website, there's a "Connecting Bus" that leaves CHI @ 10:35pm, arriving in IND @ 3:00am. They might put you on that. The bus might actually arrive somewhat earlier.
Good joined up thinking Amtrak, arrived at Moynihan for the 6.45 Cardinal in plenty of time so I could check my bag, only to discover, having done that, the Metropolitan lounge does not open until 7am on the weekend.
chadamfleetrailfan
Service Attendant
This sounds like a good day trip @PatchesC ! Amtrak day trips are my favorite.
What's great about this is that you get to spend some good considerable time in Chicago and then head back to Indy in good time.
Do you live on the west side of Indy by chance? If so, I'd strongly consider a Crawfordsville, IN (CRF) to CHI round trip instead of IND-CHI.
IND is a lousy station with expensive parking. CRF is small, but parking is free and safe (the station is across the street from the police station), and the schedule is better (7a-10pm). From where I live on the west side of Indy, the drive to Crawfordsville is quite easy.
If you stick with IND-CHI that is fine - but be prepared for the train/bus station to be the disgrace of the city.
We live 50 miles south of Indy, not many choices with reasonable driving and arrival times for a 1 day trip. Still on the fence making the trip considering the state of Indy at all because it would be me (barely 100LB female) and my 15yo daughter.
I'm not saying it is unsafe - just not the most pleasant place to spend a lot of time.