Evanston is the first city north of Chicago, about 12 miles from the Loop, and it is easy to reach without a car. Driving is possible but comes with quirks, mostly because neither of the Chicago area’s major north-south routes enters the city directly.
By train
The CTA Purple Line serves seven Evanston stations: South Boulevard, Main, Dempster, Davis, Foster, Noyes and Central, according to the city. Express trains run to and from the Loop during the morning and evening rush periods. Davis Street is the main downtown stop and a hub for bus connections.
Metra’s Union Pacific North Line stops at Main Street, Davis Street and Central Street, with service to Chicago and north toward Wisconsin. The Metra and CTA stations at Davis and Main sit close together, so it is simple to compare options for a given trip.
By bus
CTA routes 93, 97, 201 and 206 serve the city. Route 201 (Central/Ridge) links Howard station with downtown, Northwestern and Evanston Hospital. Pace routes 208 (Golf Road), 213 (Green Bay Road), 215 (Crawford/Howard) and 250 (Dempster Street) reach neighboring suburbs, and route 250 also runs to O’Hare Airport. The city also lists route 422 as a single early-morning trip. CTA and Pace both offer online bus trackers.
By car
The Edens Expressway (I-94) does not reach Evanston itself and requires a drive through Skokie, and Lake Shore Drive stops short in Rogers Park. Sheridan Road, Green Bay Road and the Edens are the main routes from the north, and McCormick Boulevard offers another connection from Chicago.
Downtown Evanston’s visitor guide says street meters, city garages and surface lots are free on Sundays and certain holidays, that garages cost less than metered spaces, and that the Park Evanston app can be used to pay at meters.
From the airports
Downtown Evanston’s guidance for air travelers is to take the CTA Blue Line from O’Hare or the Orange Line from Midway to the Loop, transfer to the Red Line, then continue north on the Purple Line. Licensed Evanston taxi companies offer fixed airport rates, and rideshare is also listed.
Schedules and fares change, so confirm times with CTA, Metra and Pace before traveling.