Landing at a bustling international airport like O'Hare (ORD) and navigating your way to a specific destination, especially a university campus, can feel a bit overwhelming, right? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many travelers find themselves in this exact situation, and luckily, getting from O'Hare to Northwestern University in Evanston is quite manageable with a little planning. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all your options, step-by-step, to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
How to Get to Northwestern University from O'Hare Airport: Your Complete Guide
Northwestern University's Evanston campus is approximately 17-29 miles from O'Hare International Airport, depending on the exact route and mode of transport. While the distance isn't vast, Chicago traffic can be a factor, so understanding your choices is key.
Step 1: Assess Your Priorities and Resources
Before you even leave the airport terminal, take a moment to consider what's most important to you for this leg of your journey.
Are you traveling on a tight budget? Public transportation will be your friend.
Is speed your absolute top priority? A taxi or rideshare will get you there fastest.
Do you have a lot of luggage? This might influence your choice towards a private car or shuttle.
What time of day are you arriving? Rush hour can significantly impact travel times for certain options.
Are you comfortable with transfers and navigating public transit maps? This will open up more economical choices.
Once you have a sense of your preferences, you can dive into the various transportation methods available.
Step 2: Navigate Out of O'Hare Airport
No matter which transportation method you choose, your first step is to successfully exit your arrival terminal at O'Hare and locate the appropriate pick-up or transit points.
Sub-heading: Finding Ground Transportation at O'Hare (ORD)
O'Hare is well-signed, but it's a large airport.
For Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (Domestic Arrivals): Follow signs for "Ground Transportation," "Taxis," "Rideshares," "CTA Trains," or "Buses." These signs will direct you to the lower level curbside for taxis/rideshares or the pedestrian tunnels to the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) station.
For Terminal 5 (International Arrivals): You'll need to take the Airport Transit System (ATS), also known as the "People Mover," to Terminals 2 or 3 to access the CTA train station. For shuttles and regional buses, the ATS will take you to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). For taxis and rideshares, follow signs to the designated pick-up areas outside Terminal 5 arrivals.
Keep an eye out for helpful airport staff if you're unsure; they're there to guide you!
Step 3: Choose Your Transportation Method
Now, let's break down your options for getting to Northwestern University in Evanston.
Option 1: Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Overview: Convenient and relatively quick, rideshare services offer a direct route from O'Hare to Northwestern. This is often a good balance of speed and cost if you're traveling with luggage or a small group.
How to Book:
Download the App: Ensure you have the Uber or Lyft app downloaded on your smartphone and an active account set up before you land.
Connect to Wi-Fi: O'Hare offers 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi, which is usually enough to request your ride.
Request Your Ride: Open the app, enter "Northwestern University" or the specific address in Evanston (e.g., 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL) as your destination.
Follow In-App Directions: The app will guide you to the designated rideshare pick-up zone, which can vary by terminal. Look for signs for "Rideshare Pickup."
Confirm Your Driver: Double-check the car's license plate, make, and model, and the driver's name in the app before getting into the vehicle.
Estimated Cost: Approximately $40-$60, but this can fluctuate significantly based on surge pricing (high demand), time of day, and traffic conditions. Estimated Travel Time: 30-45 minutes, but can be up to an hour or more during peak traffic.
Option 2: Taxi
Overview: A traditional and reliable option, taxis are readily available at O'Hare. They offer a direct service and can be a good choice if you prefer a less tech-dependent experience than rideshares.
How to Find a Taxi:
Follow Signs: Look for "Taxi" signs in your terminal. Taxi stands are located at the lower level curb front outside of baggage claim at each terminal.
Join the Queue: There will typically be a queue of taxis waiting. Wait in line for the next available cab.
Specify Destination: Clearly tell the driver your destination: "Northwestern University, Evanston" and, if you know it, a specific address on campus.
Confirm Flat Rate (Optional but Recommended for Evanston): Some taxi companies offer flat rates to Evanston. It's worth asking if they have a flat rate to Northwestern University in Evanston before you start the journey. Otherwise, the meter will run.
Estimated Cost: Around $50-$60, including tolls and a typical tip. Some specialized Evanston taxi companies like American Taxi or 303 Taxi might offer slightly lower flat rates (e.g., $30-$35). Always clarify the fare before you depart. Estimated Travel Time: Similar to rideshares, 30-45 minutes, with potential for longer times during heavy traffic.
Option 3: Public Transportation (CTA Train & Bus)
Overview: This is the most economical option, but it requires multiple transfers and can be more time-consuming. It's a great choice for budget travelers or those who enjoy navigating urban public transit.
How to Use CTA Trains and Buses:
Step 3a: Get to the CTA Blue Line Station at O'Hare
From Terminals 1, 2, or 3: Follow signs for "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City." This will lead you to the CTA Blue Line station located on the lower level of Terminal 2. It's a short walk from baggage claim.
From Terminal 5: Take the free Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 2. Once there, follow signs to the CTA Blue Line station.
Purchase Fare: At the CTA station, you can purchase a Ventra Card (rechargeable fare card) or a single-ride ticket from vending machines. A single ride on the Blue Line from O'Hare costs $5.
Step 3b: Take the Blue Line to a Transfer Point
Board a Blue Line train towards Forest Park/Downtown Chicago.
Your journey on the Blue Line will take approximately 40-45 minutes to reach downtown Chicago.
Transfer at a downtown station: You'll need to transfer to the Red Line. Common transfer points are Jackson, Washington, or Clark/Lake. Jackson is often recommended for a more straightforward transfer to the Red Line's Howard-bound platform.
Exit the Blue Line at your chosen transfer station.
Step 3c: Transfer to the Red Line
Follow signs for the Red Line (towards Howard). There's usually a pedestrian tunnel connecting the Blue and Red Line stations in downtown.
Board a Red Line train towards Howard.
Ride the Red Line northbound until you reach the Howard Station. This leg will take about 20-30 minutes.
Step 3d: Transfer to the Purple Line to Evanston
At Howard Station, you'll transfer to the Purple Line (towards Linden). The Purple Line shares tracks with the Red Line at Howard, so it's a relatively easy transfer.
Board a Purple Line train towards Linden.
Ride the Purple Line a few stops north into Evanston. Popular stops near Northwestern's campus include Foster, Noyes, and Davis. Davis is often considered the "downtown Evanston" stop and is a hub for other bus routes.
Estimated Cost: Approximately $5 (Blue Line fare) + potential for bus fare if you take a bus from a CTA station in Evanston to a specific campus building. Total typically under $10. Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on wait times for transfers and train schedules.
Option 4: Pace Bus (Route 250)
Overview: Pace is a suburban bus system that offers a direct route from O'Hare to Evanston, specifically the Davis Street CTA station. It's more direct than the CTA train combination but still slower than a taxi or rideshare.
How to Use Pace Bus 250:
Take the ATS to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF): From any terminal, take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), which is also where rental cars are located.
Locate Pace Bus Route 250 Stop: At the MMF, look for the designated Pace Bus stops. Route 250 (Dempster Street) is the one you want for Evanston.
Board the Bus: Board the Route 250 bus heading towards Evanston/Dempster Street.
Ride to Davis Street: The bus will take you directly to the Davis Street CTA station in downtown Evanston, which is a central location near the campus.
Estimated Cost: $1.75 (Pace bus fare). You can pay with cash (exact change is required) or a Ventra Card. Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour.
Option 5: Airport Shuttles (Shared Ride Services)
Overview: Companies like Airport Express offer shared-ride shuttle services, which can be a good middle ground in terms of cost and convenience, especially if you're traveling solo and don't want to deal with public transit transfers but find a private car too expensive.
How to Book:
Pre-booking is Recommended: It's highly advisable to book your shuttle in advance, ideally at least 24 hours before your flight, especially during peak travel times. You can typically do this online through the shuttle company's website.
Follow Pick-up Instructions: Your booking confirmation will provide specific instructions on where to meet your shuttle at O'Hare. This usually involves going to a designated ground transportation area or curbside pickup.
Estimated Cost: Around $30-$35 per person. Estimated Travel Time: Varies, as the shuttle may make multiple stops to drop off other passengers. Expect anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the number of stops and traffic.
Step 4: Arriving at Northwestern University in Evanston
Once you reach Evanston, depending on your chosen method, you might need to take a final short leg to your specific destination on campus.
Taxis/Rideshares/Shuttles: These services will drop you directly at your specified building or campus entrance.
CTA Purple Line (Foster, Noyes, Davis stops):
Foster Street Station: Close to the central campus and dorms.
Noyes Street Station: Also convenient for central campus areas.
Davis Street Station: Located in downtown Evanston, a short walk or a quick bus ride from the main campus. Downtown Evanston offers shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
Pace Bus 250 (Davis Street Station): Similar to the CTA Purple Line, you'll arrive at Davis Street and can walk or take a local bus from there.
Northwestern's Evanston campus is quite walkable, especially the areas near the central and northern parts. You can consult the university's campus map to pinpoint your exact building.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about getting from O'Hare to Northwestern University, with quick answers:
How to choose the best transportation option from O'Hare to Northwestern University?
Consider your budget (public transit is cheapest), time constraints (taxi/rideshare is fastest), and luggage (private options are more convenient for heavy bags).
How to pay for public transportation from O'Hare to Northwestern University?
For CTA, use a Ventra Card (available at station vending machines) or a contactless payment method like a credit/debit card or mobile wallet. For Pace, you can use a Ventra Card or exact cash fare.
How to find the CTA Blue Line station at O'Hare?
From Terminals 1, 2, or 3, follow signs for "CTA Trains" to the lower level of Terminal 2. From Terminal 5, take the free Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 2 first.
How to book a shared ride shuttle to Northwestern University?
It's highly recommended to pre-book online with companies like Airport Express at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability and potentially better rates.
How to save money on transportation from O'Hare to Northwestern University?
Public transportation (CTA Blue Line + Red Line + Purple Line, or Pace Bus 250) is the most budget-friendly option, though it takes longer and involves transfers.
How to avoid surge pricing with rideshares from O'Hare?
Try to avoid requesting rides during peak hours (e.g., weekday rush hour, late nights, or during major events) if possible. You can also compare prices between Uber and Lyft.
How to know if a taxi offers a flat rate to Evanston?
Always ask the driver before the ride begins if they offer a flat rate to Evanston. Some suburban taxi companies specialize in flat rates to the area.
How to get to specific buildings on Northwestern's Evanston campus from public transit stops?
From the CTA Purple Line stops (Foster, Noyes, Davis) or the Pace Bus stop (Davis), you can often walk to your destination or take a short local bus ride. Consult the Northwestern campus map for precise locations.
How to travel from O'Hare to Northwestern University with a lot of luggage?
Taxis, rideshares, or pre-booked private car services/shuttles are the most convenient options for travelers with significant luggage, as they offer direct door-to-door service.
How to check real-time public transit schedules for my journey?
Use transit apps like Google Maps, Citymapper, or the official CTA and Pace Bus apps, which provide real-time tracking and schedule information for trains and buses.