Travelers arriving at Chicago Union Station on Amtrak or Metra need a place to stay that cuts down on transfer time and luggage hauling. Every hotel on this list sits within a manageable distance of the station, with verified CTA transit routes, taxi times, and guest ratings factored into the ranking. Every hotel here comes from verified inventory near River North and the West Loop, filtered by star rating, guest score, and how straightforward the trip to Union Station actually is.
How we ranked hotels near Chicago Union Station
Walking distance to Union Station came first. Chicago Union Station sits at 225 S. Canal St., and the hotels on this list are all in River North, roughly 1 to 1.5 miles north of the station. That puts the walk at 20 to 30 minutes depending on the exact address, which is manageable with light luggage but worth knowing before you book. Within the same distance range, higher star ratings ranked above lower ones, and guest review scores broke ties. Transit convenience, meaning how many CTA options connect the hotel to the station, served as a secondary factor throughout.
Getting from River North to Union Station
- The CTA Blue Line runs from Chicago station (800 W. Chicago Ave.) to Clinton station (600 W. Washington St.), one stop south, putting you about a 5-minute walk from Union Station's Canal Street entrance.
- A taxi or rideshare from River North to Union Station takes 9 to 12 minutes in normal traffic and costs less than most airport rides.
- If you're traveling with checked bags, give yourself at least 30 minutes before your Amtrak departure to clear the station's ticketing area.
- The CTA Bus 156 runs along LaSalle Street and connects River North to the Loop, where you can transfer to buses that stop near Union Station on Canal Street.
Quick comparison: hotels near Chicago Union Station
| Hotel | Stars | Guest Score | Nearest CTA Station | Taxi to Union Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Hotel Collection River North | 3 | 8.6 | Chicago (Blue Line) | 9 min |
| Kasa River North Chicago | 4 | 9.4 | Chicago (Blue Line) | 10 min |
| 811 N. Sedgwick | 3 | 7.0 | Sedgwick (Brown/Purple) | 12 min |
| 858 Orleans | 3 | 6.0 | Chicago (Blue Line) | 10 min |
| Azhar Pirzada | 2 | 4.0 | Chicago (Blue Line) | 11 min |
Selection criteria for this list
Every hotel here came from a verified inventory pool. Properties with zero star ratings, unrated short-term rentals, and apartment-style listings with no guest review history were excluded because they don't give transit travelers the reliability they need. The five hotels below represent the only traditionally rated, bookable properties on this list, ranked by the criteria above.
The hotels
The Chicago Hotel Collection River North
312 W. Chestnut St., Chicago
8.6187 reviews
7 min walk to Chicago (Blue Line) (Blue)Among all traditionally rated hotels on this list, this property sits closest to Chicago Union Station at a verified 43-minute walk (roughly 1.7 miles via Canal Street), and its 8.6 guest score is the highest of the 3-star options on this list
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Kasa River North Chicago
808 N Wells St, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, Chicago
9.493 reviews
6 min walk to Chicago (Blue Line) (Blue)Kasa River North holds the highest guest score on this list at 9.4 and carries a 4-star rating, making it the top-tier option for travelers who want apartment-style amenities with hotel-grade consistency near Union Station
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811 N. Sedgwick
811 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, Chicago
7.0
5 min walk to Sedgwick (Brown/Purple Lines) (Brown/Purple)At 811 N
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858 Orleans
858 N Orleans St, Chicago, Illinois, 60610, Chicago
6.0
8 min walk to Chicago (Blue Line) (Blue)858 Orleans ranks fourth because its 6.0 guest score trails the higher-rated 3-star options, but it still qualifies as a traditionally rated, bookable property with a workable Blue Line connection to Union Station
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Azhar Pirzada
356 W Superior Street, 2nd FL, Chicago, Illinois, 60654, Chicago
4.0
9 min walk to Chicago (Blue Line) (Blue)This 2-star property ranks fifth because it carries the lowest guest score in the pool at 4.0 and the fewest verified amenities, but it remains the only remaining traditionally rated candidate after the higher-scoring options are placed above it
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Frequently asked questions
How far is it to walk from River North hotels to Chicago Union Station?＋
Most River North hotels sit 1.5 to 1.8 miles north of Chicago Union Station at 225 S. Canal St. That translates to a 30 to 43 minute walk depending on your exact starting address. Travelers with luggage will find a taxi or the Blue Line more practical.
Which CTA lines connect River North to Chicago Union Station?＋
The Blue Line is the most direct option. Board at Chicago station (800 W. Chicago Ave.), ride one stop south to Clinton station, and walk about 5 minutes to Union Station's Canal Street entrance. The Brown and Purple lines from Sedgwick station also work, but require a longer walk from Quincy station to the station entrance.
Do any of these hotels offer a shuttle to Chicago Union Station?＋
None of the hotels on this list have confirmed shuttle service to Union Station. Kasa River North and The Chicago Hotel Collection River North both have parking available if you're driving to the station, and taxis or rideshares from any of these properties reach Union Station in under 12 minutes.
What is the closest CTA L station to Chicago Union Station?＋
Clinton station on the Blue Line is the closest CTA L stop to Union Station, sitting about 0.3 miles north on Canal Street. Quincy station on the Brown, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines is roughly 0.4 miles east on Wells Street and also within walking distance of the station entrance.
Are there higher-rated hotels closer to Chicago Union Station in other neighborhoods?＋
The West Loop and South Loop neighborhoods sit within a 10 to 15 minute walk of Union Station and have a wider range of full-service hotels. We have a separate page covering hotels in the West Loop for travelers who want to minimize transfer time entirely.
How long does a taxi from River North take to reach Chicago Union Station?＋
In normal traffic, a taxi or rideshare from River North hotels to Union Station takes 9 to 12 minutes. During weekday rush hours, particularly between 7 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 6 p.m., add 5 to 10 minutes for congestion on Canal Street and the approaches to the Loop.
