<p>Hello,
My daughter and I will be flying in to Chicago for a vocal audition at Northwestern. Is there a bus or train that goes from Chicago so I don't have to rent a car?
Thanks so much for any help!</p>
<p>You can take a train from O’Hare into downtown Chicago and then out to Evanston, but it takes a while. I’d recommend taking a taxi from O’Hare to Evanston. It’s about $40; lots of taxis in Evanston for the return to O’Hare.</p>
<p>Maybe I am mis-interpreting your question. Are you staying in a hotel in Chicago? In that case, yes, you can take the train from O’Hare to downtown Chicago, and once in Chicago, it’s easy to take a train up to Evanston.</p>
<p>[O’Hare</a> International Airport to the Evanston Campus: Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/admissions/airport-transportation/ohare-to-evanston.html]O’Hare”>http://www.northwestern.edu/admissions/airport-transportation/ohare-to-evanston.html). Second jrpar’s suggestion of a taxi from O’Hare. Also, get a cab company’s number–American Taxi is good–in advance so that you can call them as soon as you get your luggage.</p>
<p>Thanks! I thought the taxi would be best. We are flying in and out the same day because my daughter has a Saturday commitment.</p>
<p>The L goes straight from the airport to campus so if you’re traveling light and want to save $40, I’d suggest taking public transportation ($2.25 per person).</p>
<p>I take the Pace 250 (“Kiss and Fly”) bus.</p>
<p>^^ Second arbiter213 </p>
<p>The bus is less than $2 OW, and you only have to get on at O’Hare, and the last stop is Davis Street-which is next to Northwestern’s campus. People in the airport will guide you to Kiss and Fly.
<a href=“http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/full/250back.pdf[/url]”>http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/full/250back.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps keep your expenses down, your stress level lower and allow you to focus on this time w/your Daughter.</p>
<p>~APOL-a Mum</p>
<p>It’s also worth noting the Pace 250 is usually about as fast as a cab and less than a tenth the price.</p>
<p>3rd the support for the Pace Bus 250 for normal times – its 2 bucks a person and takes about an hour and ten.</p>
<p>But if you are going in and out you might want to go with the cab to save some time and have more time to explore the campus as cabs are about 40 minutes. Call one when you touch down and get the flat rate, which will save you about 10 bucks as well. </p>
<p>If your cabbie doesnt know where NU is, just tell them evanston. Your cabbie should take you to Dempster Street via 294, be on dempster street for a longgg time, then make a left on Chicago Ave. and you are at NU in 3-4 blocks.</p>
<p>I would second taking CTA, the El(evated) train. You’ll want the Red Line or the Purple Line (isn’t that appropriate . . . ). It’s especially nice for seeing the city of Chicago pass before you; if you’re riding from the loop, you’ll pass through Belmont and Wrigleyville and some other nice neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Hi OP we understand all about competitive music auditions. This is a special occasion and I recommend you do what you can to simplify travel and save time.
I vote for taking a taxi to/from the airport on this occasion, even though it may run $42 for a Chicago taxi you get out of the regular taxi lineup at O’Hare.
I think it is also true you could opt to call for an Evanston taxi/flat rate but that will take time. (Evanston is just over the city line for Chicago taxiis so you pay a slight premium but you get convenience. Be sure to tell them exactly where you want to be dropped off in Evanston/at the university.)
One’s situation may depend on if you are dealing w/time zone change, unpredictable air schedule, etc.
Your student needs to make optimum use of time.
For the future, if you happen to stay in downtown Chicago, the El really is a great, inexpensive system - I think it took me about 40 min from Evanston to near the Loop.
I come from a region with not-very-good public transit and I have been very impressed with my admittedly limited experience on the El.
I have not taken the El from O’Hare to/from NU - that is different than coming from River North or the Loop - a roundabout route, though certainly inexpensive, you are looking at quite a bit of time.
Best of luck for the audition.</p>
<p>I concur with latetoparty. Pennywise and pound foolish to take the bus. Get a cab that takes you exactly where you need to go. </p>
<p>Line up a company such as American Taxi or 303 Cab so you don’t have to wait in a cab line.</p>
<p>Route 250 is the bomb.
It’s practically free compared to a taxi.</p>