Directions
By CarFrom the West or North:
For daytime parking on weekdays, guests may use a metered visitor space or obtain a guest permit for the University parking lots for $5 from the Parking Office, 1819 Hinman Avenue. After 5 PM on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday most lots are open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Information is available from the Parking Office during office hours at 847/491-3319 or after hours at 847/491-3254. |
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By Plane
From O'Hare International Airport:
If you prefer to rent a car and drive to campus, use the following directions:
Taxis and Shuttles that provide service between Evanston and Midway include
- Continental Air Transport Airport Express charges $28 one-way (312/503-8129).
- Amm's Limousine Service (773/792-1126) charges $32 per person for a shared ride, $52 for a single.
- Most Evanston cabs will provide service from O'Hare. They include:
- 303 Cab Company (847/256-0303 or 773/763-0303)
- Best Taxi Service (847/864-2500), which charge about $20 to $30 one-way for a single person.
If you prefer to rent a car and drive to campus, use the following directions:
- Follow either Bessie Coleman Drive or Mannheim Road South to the Kennedy Expressway (I-190).
- Take I-190 East and connect to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) North towards Milwaukee. Exit at the Dempster Street Exit and follow the 'From the North or West' Directions as listed previously.
Taxis and Shuttles that provide service between Evanston and Midway include
- Continental Airport Express (312/503-8129; call ahead for discount coupon)
- Yellow Checker Cab Company (312/829-4222)
- Yellow Cab Company (312/225-7440)
- 303 Cab Company (847/256-0303 or 773/763-0303). Check for time allowance and costs, which range from $36 to $50.
- Follow Cicero Ave (IL-50) North to the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).
- Take I-55 North and connect to the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) North. The Dan Ryan will merge with the Kennedy Expressway (I-90). Stay on I-94 as it turns into the Edens Expressway and continue North. Exit at the Dempster Street Exit and follow the 'From the North or West' Directions as listed previously.
- Alternatively, continue on I-55 until it ends at Lakeshore Drive (US-41). Drive North on Lakeshore Drive (US-41) and follow the 'From the South' Directions as listed previously.
By Train
There are many ways to get to Northwestern by train. For those travelling long distances, use an appropriate Amtrak train to get to Chicago. Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station in Chicago. From there, there are a variety of ways to travel to Northwestern.
Metra - To use the Metra train, you will need to walk or take a taxi three (3) blocks north to Ogilvie station. From there, take the Union Pacific North train to Davis Station, which is located in Evanston near Northwestern. Note: the Metra will take you to South Campus only. Although very accessible to downtown Evanston, you will need to walk about half a mile to get to the actual campus.
CTA - The CTA provides service on the elevated rails, thus this train is locally known as "The El." These trains are color-coded based on their routes. From Union Station, you will need to walk or take a taxi five (5) blocks east to the nearest CTA station. In the city, the routes run underground as subways, rather than an above-ground station.
Your goal is to get to the purple line - but that route does not run from Chicago. Instead are the following options:
Metra
CTA
Amtrak
Metra - To use the Metra train, you will need to walk or take a taxi three (3) blocks north to Ogilvie station. From there, take the Union Pacific North train to Davis Station, which is located in Evanston near Northwestern. Note: the Metra will take you to South Campus only. Although very accessible to downtown Evanston, you will need to walk about half a mile to get to the actual campus.
CTA - The CTA provides service on the elevated rails, thus this train is locally known as "The El." These trains are color-coded based on their routes. From Union Station, you will need to walk or take a taxi five (5) blocks east to the nearest CTA station. In the city, the routes run underground as subways, rather than an above-ground station.
Your goal is to get to the purple line - but that route does not run from Chicago. Instead are the following options:
- If you don't want to walk too far, walk east on Jackson Drive past the bridge until you find Wells.Turn north (left) on Wells until you reach Quincy Station. Take either the orange or brown line to the State Station. Once you arrive, transfer trains by going to the Lake Station (you'll have to walk to the Lake Station in an underground tunnel). Once at Lake Station, take the Red Train north to Howard Station. Follow the directions below after Howard Station.
- If you choose to walk farther, go east on Jackson Drive past the bridge about eight (8) blocks from Union Station. Underground, near a Walgreens, is a Red Line Station. Take a Red Train north (make sure you're going north) to Howard Station.
- Once at Howard Station, you will be asked to leave the train and transfer to the Purple Train. Once the Purple Train arrives, take it north to your choice of stops:
- Davis - Davis is in downtown Evanston, which is south of campus. You will have good access to the stores and restaurants, but it is a significant walk to campus.
- Foster - Foster is nearby the Foster-Walker Complex Residence. Stop here for convenient access to South Campus. You will need to walk about two blocks east to get to main campus.
- Noyes - Noyes is located near the Technological Institute, the main building for engineering and science classes. Stop here for convenient access to North Campus. You will need to walk about two blocks east to get on main campus.
Metra
CTA
Amtrak