Directions to Northwestern
University Evanston Campus,
Department of Sociology
How do you want to get here? Easy or cheap.
THE EASIEST WAYS (but expensive):
Airport Express (from O’Hare only)
Continental Air Express Transport (1-888-284-3826, www.airportexpress.com): Take the airport
express van (red, white, and blue van) to the Omni-Orrington Hotel. THIS IS PROBABLY THE
EASIEST WAY TO GO. The fare is approximately $35-70 (one-way) and leaves every 10-15
minutes. Loading zones for boarding the Airport Express van and ticket counters are at Door 1E,
Door 2D, and Door 3E across from baggage claim on the Baggage Claim level. Tickets can be
purchased at the counters with cash or any major credit card. Cash may also be given to the drivers.
The last bus leaves the airport at 11:30 p.m. From the Evanston Orrington, walk one block north to
Clark Street (you should see the clock tower). Turn right (east) on Clark and go one block to Chicago
Avenue. Turn left (north) on Chicago Avenue. The Department of Sociology is housed in the first two
buildings (look like big houses) on the left-hand side of the road. The main office is located in 1810
Chicago Avenue (red brick duplex, Left side).
Cabs/Uber/Lyft
You can grab a cab/Uber/Lyft from outside any airport terminal or train station (or just about
anywhere in the city). If you are coming from either Midway or O’Hare ask the driver if he has a “flat
rate” to Evanston (could be anywhere between $35-70) before you get in the cab. Ask the driver to
take you to the corner of Clark and Chicago Ave. in Evanston or 1810 Chicago Ave., Evanston (the
Sociology Department address).
THE CHEAPEST WAYS (but not as easy):
These transportation methods are a great way to save money, but keep in mind it will take more time
and you will probably have luggage to lug around.
The ‘L’ (elevated/subway train) (1-888-YOURCTA, www.transitchicago.com):
The cost of the L is $2.25. Fare cards (“Ventra cards”) must be purchased before entering the train
platform. Cards can be purchased from automated machines that are near the station’s entrance.
Please note that Ventra cards have a $5 refundable “purchase fee.” You can register the card later
at https://www.ventrachicago.com/register-account to get that $5 fee back as transit value. Machines
will take credit, debit, or cash (though the machine does not give change and the station attendant
will not change bills larger than a ten). Simply enter the desired amount of money, or choose a type of
pass (e.g., 1-day or 3-day pass, unlimited rides), and pay. A card will pop out of the machine. Take
the card to the turnstile and tap it on the Ventra pad. Once you remove the card you will hear a beep,
see a green light go on, and you may now pass through the turnstile. For current fares please view the
CTA website at http://www.transitchicago.com/fares.
Trains are color coded; signs on the trains correspond to that line’s color. Depending on where you
are coming from you should be familiar with one or more of these train lines:
Red Line – Runs north/south. Not an express. End of the line at Chicago city limits.
Brown Line – Services the Loop (downtown) and Chicago’s northwest.
Blue Line – Runs to and from O’Hare Airport, allows you to connect with the Red Line downtown.
Orange Line – Allows you to connect with the Loop from Midway Airport.
Purple Line – The only train into Evanston. Runs an extended express route to and from the Loop at
rush hours, runs a shorter route from Howard-Linden other times.
From O’Hare or Midway, follow the signs in the airport to Ground Transportation-CTA.
From O’Hare:
You will first get on the Blue Line. Take the Blue Line to downtown Chicago and get off at the
“Washington” subway stop. Take the stairs and follow the tunnel to connect with the northbound
Howard Red Line. You will need to tap your Ventra card at the turnstiles, but a transfer fee will
not be charged. Be sure not to leave the station or you will have to pay full fare to get back in.
A) If it is during rush hours (6:05-10:15 a.m. or 3:15-7:15 p.m.): Get off the Howard Red
L ine at “Belmont” and transfer to the Purple Line Express from the same platform. It’s
a lot faster than the red line and it gets you to the same place. Stay on the Purple Line
until “Davis Street.”
B) If it is not during rush hours: Take the Howard Red Line all the way to the end of
the line (at “Howard Street”). Transfer to the Purple Line on the same platform.
Get off the Purple Line at Davis Street and follow the directions under “From the Davis Street
Train Station.”
From Midway:
You will need to take the Orange Line. Take the Orange Line to the Loop in downtown Chicago.
A) If it is during rush hours (6:05-10:15 a.m. or 3:15-7:15 p.m.): Get off at the “Clark
and Lake” stop and transfer to the Purple Line. Ride the Purple Line all the way to the
“Davis Street” stop. From here follow the directions under “From the Davis Street Train
Station.”
B) If it is not during rush hours: Get off at “Roosevelt” and follow the signs for the Red
Line (it will be downstairs). Take the northbound Red Line toward Howard. You will be
on the Red Line until the end of the line (at “Howard Street”). Transfer to the Purple
Line on the same platform. Get off the Purple Line at “Davis Street” and follow the
directions under “From the Davis Street Train Station.”
From Union Station (Amtrak):
Exit at the south of the station onto Jackson Blvd. take a left (east), and walk across the Chicago River.
Walk another two blocks east to Wells Street. Turn left (north) and walk another block to the Quincy L
station.
A) If it is during rush hours (6:05-10:15 a.m. or 3:15-7:15 p.m.): Follow the station signs
to the Purple Line platform (east side of the tracks). Take the Purple Line all the way to
the “Davis Street” station. From here follow the directions under “From the Davis Street
Train Station.”
B) If it is not during rush hours: Follow the station signs to the Kimball Brown Line
(west side of the tracks). Take the Brown Line to the “Belmont” stop. Transfer to the
Howard Red Line on the same platform and take it to the end of the line (“Howard
Street”). Transfer to the Purple Line on the same platform. Take the purple line to the
“Davis Street” stop. From here follow the directions under “From the Davis Street Train
Station.”
Metra train from Union Station/Amtrak (312-322-6777, www.metrarail.com):
The Ogilvie Transportation Center – Chicago to Evanston Davis is on the Union Pacific North Line
(UP-N). Walk north from Union Station along Canal or Clinton Street and use the Madison entrance to
the Metra station. Trains arrive every 10-15 minutes during rush hours and every hour during off peak
times. Tickets are purchased on the train from the conductors. Tell them you are going to the Davis
Street station in Evanston. The cost of the ticket is $4.75 (not a set fare, changes from station to
station). Upon exiting the station walk north to Church Street then East to the corner of Church and
Benson. At this corner you will see the Davis Street L Station and the Bus station. From here follow
the directions under “From the Davis Street Train Station.”
CTA/Pace Bus From O’Hare (312 or 847 or 773-836-7000, www.pacebus.com):
Follow the signs in the airport to the central bus area (Kiss-n-Fly) via the Airport Transit System
(ATS). The fare for the bus is $2.25. The driver will not make change. Board the 250 Pace Bus and
ride this all the way to the Davis Street train station in Evanston. From here follow the directions
under “From the Davis Street Train Station.”
From the Davis Street Train Stop
From the corner of Church and Benson (north end of the Davis Street Station) walk east on Church
for two blocks and turn left (north) on Orrington Avenue. Walk one block north to Clark Street (you
should see the clock tower). Turn right (east) on Clark and go one block to Chicago Avenue. Turn
left (north) on Chicago Avenue. The Department of Sociology is in the first two buildings (look like
houses) on the left-hand side of the road. The main office is located in 1810 Chicago Avenue (red
brick duplex, second building, first door).
Driving Directions
From the Interstate or Tri-state
Take the Dempster Street East exit from I-94 (Edens Expressway) or I-294 (Tri-state tollway).
Follow Dempster through Skokie, past McCormick Blvd., past Ridge Avenue, and past the elevated
train tracks (depending on traffic this will take 15-30 minutes). At the first light after the tracks turn
left (north) on Chicago Avenue. Go five blocks north to Clark Street. The Department of Sociology
will be on your left at 1810 Chicago Avenue. Look for a big, red brick duplex.
For more information on public transportation, see www.transitchicago.com
Campus maps are also available at www.northwestern.edu/campus
