Night 1 - Getting to the International Airport

If you can book your travel from a major international airport, your ticket fares will be much cheaper. All you have to figure out then is how you will get to that airport. Flying would be the most convenient, but also the most expensive. Therefore to cut costs, I have chosen to use alternative methods to get to the airport of my choosing, Chicago O'Hare.

To save money, I have chosen to ride the Amtrak train from Kalamazoo to Chicago. For $29 ($26 Amtrak + $3 metro), I will be able to make my way to Chicago O'Hare Airport. Flying to Chicago from Kalamazoo, would easily cost me $150. I could Über/taxi to the airport from Union Station for $22-30. Or, I could brave the public metro for $3.

Night #1 is going to be spent on the floor of the Chicago airport. I packed a couple bananas and roasted butternut squash. And I have a pillow and a travel blanket.

Update: After arriving to Union Station in downtown Chicago, a kind man ended up offering me a ride to the local metro station. He invited me to jump in his Über. I'm so glad he did, because it was raining. And carrying soaking wet gear for 36 hours would not be fun!

Once at the metro, as I was trying to buy my ticket, another guy came out of nowhere and offered to buy my ticket. After not taking no for an answer, he scanned me in. That saved me $3. Thanks guy!

Upon arriving to the airport at 1:00 am, I quickly learned that the kiosks don't open until 3 am. Unfortunately for me, JetBlue staff didn't arrive until 4:11 am.

I ended up paying $26 for a trip from Kalamazoo station to Chicago O'Hare airport. Not too shabby.

That's easily over $150 saved by choosing alternative transportation, over flying.