Chicago!

So I think I’m going to Chicago for five days, from June 20-26th. I’m getting a ride there (roadtrip, yay!) but the question is how I should get home…

1. PLANE! Costs $125, is a non-stop flight, takes about an hour. Add on an hour getting to the airport and an hour waiting for security, and the whole shebang takes about three hours. Easy Peasy, but not very unique.

2. TRAIN! Costs $110, is a some-stops ride, takes about ten hours. Add on less than an hour getting to the (really pretty) train station, and no security, and the whole shebang takes about…11 hours. Easy, comfortable, but takes a really long time. I’m not sure I care if it takes a really long time, though. Riding Amtrak as a single woman is probably safe, right? I mean, I’ve done it before…

3. BUS! Costs $55 ($95 if I don’t get it until less than a week before I go), is a some-stops ride, and takes about 13 hours. Add on the same amount of time as the train to get to the station, and no security, and it’s still about 14 hours. It’s half the price of the train and only takes a couple more hours, but it’s not nearly as comfortable and by anyone’s guess is probably not as safe.

4. FLY! I could grow wings and fly. This would probably take forever, but I don’t think it would cost me anything.

So far the plane really looks like the best deal (which is probably why planes are so popular!) but I might go with the train. The train leaves at a nice time in the afternoon, and the only problem would be if I sat next to someone who wanted to talk to me the *whole* time. I don’t mind a half hour of friendly get-to-know-your-neighbor conversation, but I really can’t stand talking about someone else’s children for four hours. The good thing about ipods is that even if the battery runs out, you can still have the headphones on, and people don’t bother you.

Anyway, thoughts? Comments? Experiences on any of these mediums? I especially want to know if you’ve grown your own wings…