Getting Around Northwestern: Your Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in Evanston & Chicago
Hey everyone! So you’re at Northwestern, or thinking about coming here. Awesome choice. It’s an amazing place, but let's be real for a second: figuring out how to get around can feel like a whole extra course you didn't sign up for. You’ve got two campuses, the whole city of Chicago at your doorstep, & then there’s just, you know, getting to class from your off-campus apartment without getting soaked in that lovely lakefront rain.
Honestly, navigating the web of buses, trains, & shuttles can seem intimidating at first. But here's the thing – it's actually SUPER doable & opens up so much of Evanston & Chicago. I've spent a ton of time hopping on & off every form of transit this area has to offer, & I'm here to break it all down for you. Think of this as your friendly, unofficial guide to mastering public transportation at Northwestern.
We’ll cover everything from the free university shuttles that are a lifesaver, to the iconic 'L' trains that connect you to the heart of the city, & the commuter rails that can take you on cool adventures. By the end of this, you'll be navigating like a pro.
The Core: Northwestern's Own Shuttle System
First things first, let's talk about the easiest & most budget-friendly option: the university's own shuttle system. These are FREE for anyone with a Wildcard (your student/faculty ID), & they are absolute game-changers. Northwestern has a few key routes designed to get you where you need to go, whether it's across campus, to downtown Evanston, or all the way to the Chicago campus.
You can track all these shuttles in real-time using apps, so you’re not just standing out in the cold guessing when it might show up. This is your first & best bet for most local travel.
Intercampus Shuttle: The Chicago Connection
This is probably the most famous of the shuttles. The Intercampus shuttle is your direct link between the Evanston & Chicago campuses. If you have classes in both locations, or you just want a free ride downtown for the day, this is your golden ticket.
- What it is: A weekday bus service connecting the Evanston campus (with a few stops like Ryan Field & the Jacobs Center) to the Ward Building on the Chicago campus, which is home to the Feinberg School of Medicine.
- Why it's great: It's comfortable, has Wi-Fi (usually), & it's a straight shot. It saves you the hassle & cost of taking the 'L' or Metra if your destination is near the Streeterville campus. From the Ward Building, you're just a 15-minute walk from Navy Pier or a 30-minute walk from Millennium Park (home of The Bean!).
- The catch: It only runs on weekdays. So, if you're planning a weekend trip to the city, you'll need to use other options. Just show your Wildcard & you're on.
Campus Loop & Evanston Loop: Your Local Movers
For getting around the immediate Evanston area, especially after dark, these two shuttles are clutch. They run during the academic year, typically starting in the evening.
- Campus Loop: This one is perfect for those late-night study sessions. It runs from North Campus, hits key spots in the middle of campus, & goes down to downtown Evanston. Super useful for getting from the library back to your dorm or apartment without that long, dark walk.
- Evanston Loop: This route extends a bit further into the city of Evanston, beyond just the campus and downtown core. If you live a bit further out or want to explore different parts of Evanston at night, this is the shuttle for you.
Both of these are also free with a Wildcard & are essential for safe, easy travel around campus & town in the evenings.
Don't Forget the Specialty Shuttles!
Northwestern also rolls out a few other shuttles for specific needs:
- Game Day Shuttles: Want to go cheer on the Wildcats at Ryan Field or Welsh-Ryan Arena but don't want the mile-plus walk? There are special shuttles on game days that will take you right there from campus. It’s the easiest way to get in on the school spirit.
- Safe Ride: This isn't a shuttle in the traditional sense, but it's a critical part of the transportation ecosystem. It's an on-demand van service that operates late at night to give students safe rides home. You'll definitely want to have the app for this on your phone.
The 'L' Train: Your Gateway to Chicago
Alright, let's talk about the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The 'L' (short for "elevated") train is an iconic part of Chicago, & it's your main artery into the city. Northwestern is conveniently located on one of its most useful lines.
The Purple Line: The Evanston Express
The Purple Line is YOUR line. It runs right through the heart of Evanston & has several stops within walking distance of campus.
- Key Stops for NU: The Foster & Noyes stops are the closest to the main parts of the Evanston campus. The Davis stop is right in downtown Evanston, perfect for grabbing dinner or catching a movie, & it's also where you can connect to the Metra. Central is another stop further north, useful if you live in that area.
- How it Works: The Purple Line mainly runs between Linden (in Wilmette, just north of Evanston) & Howard, where you can transfer to other lines. It gets you around Evanston very efficiently.
- The Purple Line Express: This is the BEST part. During weekday rush hours (mornings towards Chicago, evenings back to Evanston), the Purple Line runs express all the way to the Loop downtown. It skips a ton of the local stops, making the trip surprisingly fast. This is a fantastic option for internships or just a quick trip into the city.
The Red Line: The 24/7 Backbone
At the Howard station, the Purple Line's southern terminus, you can transfer to the Red Line. The Red Line is the workhorse of the CTA system.
- Why you need it: It runs 24/7. Yes, you read that right. So if you're in the city late for a concert or a study group, you always have a way to get back to Howard, where you can catch the last Purple Line or a bus back to campus.
- Where it goes: The Red Line cuts right through the heart of Chicago, with stops in neighborhoods like Wrigleyville (for Cubs games), Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, & right through downtown. The Chicago stop on the Red Line is the closest 'L' station to Northwestern's Chicago campus, just a few blocks west.
The U-Pass: Your Golden Ticket (for Grad Students)
If you're a full-time graduate student at The Graduate School (TGS), you get a CTA University Pass, or U-Pass. This is an AMAZING perk. It's a discounted fare card that gives you unlimited rides on all CTA buses & trains for a small fee included in your student activity fees. If you're a grad student, this will be your best friend.
CTA Buses: Connecting the Dots
The 'L' is great for north-south travel, but what about getting east-west or to places not right on the train line? That's where the buses come in. Don't sleep on the bus system; it's incredibly useful.
- The #201 Bus: This is another key route for NU students. Your Wildcard actually gets you FREE rides on the #201 bus. It runs from the Howard CTA station, through Evanston (with stops all along Chicago Ave, right by campus), & all the way to the Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. Need to do some serious shopping? This is your free ride there.
- Pace Buses: Pace is the suburban bus system, but a few of their routes are super helpful for the NU community.
- #250 Dempster Street: This bus, known as the "Dempster-O'Hare," provides daily service from downtown Evanston all the way to O'Hare Airport. It's a much cheaper alternative to a taxi or rideshare.
- #213 Green Bay Road: Connects Evanston to northern suburbs like Highland Park. It's great if you want to visit the Chicago Botanic Garden.
- #208 Golf Road: Runs west from Evanston to places like Schaumburg.
The Ventra App is ESSENTIAL
I cannot stress this enough: download the Ventra app. It’s the official app for the CTA & Pace. You can use it to:
- Track buses & trains in real-time (a lifesaver!).
- Load money onto your Ventra card (your transit pass).
- Buy Metra tickets.
- Plan your trips from A to B.
Seriously, get the app. It takes all the guesswork out of using public transit.
Metra: The Speedy Commuter Rail
The Metra is Chicago's commuter rail system, designed to bring people in from the suburbs. It's different from the 'L'—the trains are bigger, more comfortable, have fewer stops, & run on a fixed schedule.
Union Pacific North Line (UP-N)
The Metra line that serves Evanston is the Union Pacific North Line. It runs from Kenosha, Wisconsin, all the way down to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago.
- Evanston Stations: There are three Metra stations in Evanston: Central St., Davis St., & Main St. The Davis Street station is the main one, right in the heart of downtown Evanston & connected to the Purple Line station.
- Why take Metra? It's FAST. A Metra train from Davis Street to Ogilvie can take as little as 25 minutes because it makes very few stops. If you're commuting to a job or internship in the West Loop, this is often a much faster & more reliable option than the 'L'. It's also a great way to take day trips to places like Ravinia for summer concerts.
- How it works: You buy a ticket for the specific zones you're traveling between. You can buy them at the station or, even easier, on the Ventra app. A conductor will come around & check your ticket on the train.
Parking: The Often-Forgotten Piece of the Puzzle
Okay, so we've talked a lot about leaving the car behind. But what if you need a car sometimes? Or what if you have friends or family visiting with a car? Let's be honest, parking around campus is a NIGHTMARE. The permits, the street cleaning rules, the constant fear of a ticket... it's a lot.
This is actually where thinking outside the box can save you a ton of headache & money. Finding a reliable parking spot can feel impossible, especially in the crowded neighborhoods around campus. University lots often have waiting lists or are only open to certain people at certain times.
Here's a pro tip: check out Prked. It's a pretty cool platform that connects people who have unused parking spots—like in a private driveway or a garage—with people who need a place to park. Instead of circling the block for an hour trying to decipher a confusing street sign, you can just rent a safe, guaranteed spot from a local homeowner. It’s a super convenient solution for students who have a car on campus or for when your parents come to visit for the weekend & need a place to leave their car without worrying about getting towed. It can be way more affordable & flexible than other options.
And honestly, the same logic applies if you're using transit to get to campus. Maybe you live a bit further out & want to drive to the Metra station. Parking at those stations can be a huge pain. Finding a nearby driveway to rent through Prked could make that first leg of your commute so much simpler.
The same idea works for storage. If you're moving in or out, or just need to store your stuff for the summer, finding space is tough. Prked also helps you find affordable storage in someone's garage or basement. It's a clever way to solve the space crunch that every student inevitably faces.
Putting It All Together: A Few Scenarios
So, how does this all work in the real world? Let's run through a few common scenarios.
Scenario 1: You're an undergrad living on North Campus & have a class on the Chicago campus.
- Your best bet: Walk or take the Campus Loop shuttle to a stop for the Intercampus shuttle. Ride that free shuttle directly to the Ward Building. It's the most direct & cost-effective way on a weekday.
Scenario 2: It's Saturday & you & your friends want to go to Wrigleyville for a Cubs game.
- Your best bet: Walk to the Noyes or Foster Purple Line station. Take the 'L' south to Howard & transfer to the Red Line. Take the Red Line right to the Addison stop, which drops you literally at the ballpark.
Scenario 3: You have an internship in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.
- Your best bet: Take the Purple Line or a bus to the Davis Street station. Hop on a morning express Metra train on the UP-N line. You'll be at Ogilvie Transportation Center in under 30 minutes, a short walk from anywhere in the West Loop. It's way faster than the 'L'.
Scenario 4: You live off-campus in South Evanston & need to get to your lab on North Campus for a late-night session.
- Your best bet: Instead of a long walk in the dark, check the shuttle tracker for the Evanston Loop or Campus Loop. Catch the free shuttle for a safe & warm ride directly to your destination.
I know this is a TON of information, but don't feel like you have to memorize it all at once. The best way to learn is to just start trying it. Download the Ventra app, take a ride on the Purple Line just to see where it goes, & hop on a shuttle.
Living at Northwestern gives you access to a world-class city & a vibrant local community. The public transportation system is your key to unlocking all of it. It'll save you money, it's better for the environment, & honestly, it's just part of the experience of living here.
Hope this was helpful & makes your life a little easier. Let me know what you think or if you have any other transit hacks
