Getting Around in Evanston - Trains

Trains

Amtrak offers long-distance rail service from Union Station in downtown Chicago (Adams & Canal Sts.) to destinations throughout the United States and Canada, including all major cities. Connecting commuter rail service to Evanston (Metra) is just two blocks north of Union Station, and CTA 'L' service to Evanston is accessible throughout downtown Chicago. For more information on Amtrak service or schedules, call (800) 872-7245 (USA-RAIL).

CTA Elevated/Subway Trains (The 'L')
Use the RTA Travel Center , GoRoo or Google Chicago Transit to plan your route on either PACE or CTA buses, Metra trains, or the ’L’.

The Chicago Transit Authority operates this rapid transit service between Evanston and Chicago. There are seven Evanston stations at South Blvd., Main St., Dempster St., Davis St. (downtown), Foster St., Noyes St., and Central St.

• Purple Line Shuttle
  Between Linden and Howard
  Linden to Howard: Mon.-Thurs. 4:55am-1:20am, Fri. 4:55am-2:10am , Sat. 5:30am-2:05am, Sun. 6:26am-1:20am
  Howard to Linden: Mon.-Thurs. 4:35am-1:00am, Fri. 5:10am-1:50am, Sat. 5:10am-1:45am, Sun. 6:05am-12:55am
  Overnight: Use #201 bus between Central (Purple Line) & Granville (Red Line) stations.
• 
  
• Purple Line Express
  Between Linden and the Loop
  Linden to Loop ’L’ Mon.-Fri. 5:20am-9:25am.
  At other times ride Purple Line shuttle to Howard 2:55pm-6:25pm, then Red Line to Loop.
  Loop to Linden: Mon.-Fri. 6:05am-10:10am and 3:40pm-7:10pm
• 
  
• Red Line
  Between Howard and 95th/Dan Ryan
  Service at all times every day.
• 
  
• Yellow Line
  Between Howard and Skokie
  Skokie to Howard: Mon.-Fri. 5:20am-10:15pm, no weekend service - use #97 Skokie bus route
  Howard to Skokie: Mon.-Fri. 4:50am-10:00pm, no weekend service - use #97 Skokie bus route

The one-way-basic fare is $1.75 (transfers are 25¢). For information or schedules, call the RTA Travel Information Center at (847) 836-7000.

During weekday rush hours, Evanston Express service runs frequently between and Evanston and Chicago's downtown "Loop". For local service at all times, take the Evanston local train southbound to Howard and transfer free to the southbound Howard-Dan Ryan line.

The one-way-basic fare is $1.75 (transfers are 25¢). For information or schedules, call the RTA Travel Information Center at (847) 836-7000.

About the Davis Street CTA Center
Completed in 1994, the Davis Street CTA Center is Evanston’s transportation hub, where CTA buses and rail, Metra trains, and taxis interconnect.

 Metra Commuter Rail Lines

Union Pacific North Line offers service between Northwestern Station in downtown Chicago (Madison and Canal Sts.) and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Evanston's three stations on this line are Main St. at Chicago Ave., Davis St. (downtown Evanston), and Central St. (at Green Bay Rd).

Travel time is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Evanston to downtown Chicago, and the basic one-way fare is $2.90. For information or schedules, contact the RTA Travel Information Center at (847) 836-7000.