<p>What are the most convenient (and/or cheapest) ways to get to campus from Midway & O'Hare? And approx. how long does it take?
I might be flying out before my parents, and I, er, tend to get lost. : )</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My DD has taken transit service from both. I think she said it cost like $2. Sometimes if she sees someone she knows from school they share the cost of a taxi.
When we traveled to NU to visit the college, we took the subway from O'Hare as I really did not want to be driving in the snow, and not know where I was going. It was easy to navigate. There were helpful airline personnel who directed us to the subway entrance-which was accessed directly from the airport. The downside was when transferring from train to train we had to walk down to the next platform-which was open air-so COLD...but doable. The station is located maybe a block from the school.
I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Just take the cab if you have the money. It'll run you like $35</p>
<p>I agree completely with arbiter213. There's such a thing as penny wise and pound foolish. Your time and peace of mind are worth money as well. I could easily see a college freshman getting intimidated navigating the El to Northwestern.</p>
<p>Definitely take a cab or Airport Express vans (if you're coming from O'Hare). I rode the Airport Express van service to NU for $20-22 when I was still attending school there. Do not take the El if you have luggage.</p>
<p>Once you're there and figure it all out, then maybe you can use the El to get to O'Hare for winter break, etc. But not your first time out.</p>
<p>I agree with Pizza Girl. Particularly since the el trains are under construction at the moment, obstensibly being upgraded because Chicago is bidding to be an Olympic host. When I was there a couple months ago, we found many lines to be disrupted - even closed. Save yourself some stress. Take the transport, or a cab. If you call a Chicago cab from your cell phone instead of waiting in the taxi line - it will be cheaper. </p>
<p>Pizza Girl, what are the best cab companies covering the North Shore? Get the phone number for one of these and call them upon arrival at ORD (Ohare.) There will likely be some waiting onsite, and the rate will be best.</p>
<p>I would suggest either of these two companies serving the North Shore: </p>
<p>American</a> Taxi</p>
<p>or 303 Cab </p>
<p><a href="http://www.303taxi.com/default.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.303taxi.com/default.aspx</a></p>
<p>take the El, it goes right to Evanston, and is about $30 cheaper than a cab</p>
<p>There's also the pace bus (#250) that runs from Evanston to O'Hare... I think it's $2 and goes down Dempster between the Davis station and one of the parking lots at O'Hare. Once you get to O'Hare, you have to take a tram that takes like 5 minutes to get to your terminal. It runs about every 20 min and it's faster than the El (takes a little more than an hour) and not that much slower or less convenient than a cab, especially if you live on south campus.</p>
<p>Thanks, everybody! I think I will stick to a cab or an airport express van this time.</p>
<p>How long does it take to get to campus? An hour-ish?</p>
<p>Google</a> Maps </p>
<p>Type O'Hare and Evanston, IL; 17 miles and 35-min drive according to it.</p>