HOW TO FIND US:

Directions to the Economics  Department
We are located on the 3rd floor of the Kellogg School of Managenment building, formally called "Donald Jacobs Center" or sometimes Andersen Hall. Check here for a (bad) picture.
Here is also a google map that highlights the road from the airport to the department.

From O'Hare International Airport to Evanston:

    Taxis: The ride to Evanston takes from 35-50 minutes, depending on traffic congestion and weather conditions. Flag any cab at the taxi lane. The fare to Evanston is roughly $28 but can range up to $65.

    Disadvantage: These are Chicago city cabs. Sometimes the drivers don't know the north shore area. Also, it is legal (though not required) for Chicago cabs to multiply the meter rate by 150% when they cross the city limits. (O'Hare is inside the Chicago city limits.)

    Insider tip: Call Northshore Taxi at 1-800-244-9200 or 1-847-864-7500. The fare to Evanston is a flat rate of $23 (plus tip). It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to pick you up outside the baggage claim area.

    Advantage: They know the north shore area, including Evanston. To call them, proceed to the baggage claim area and locate a phone. (Do this after you have claimed your baggage!) They will ask you what airline you were on, and the number of the nearest exit to your baggage area, which will be above the exit door. They will pick you up at the middle island; Norshore cabs are light yellow-green and the dispatcher will give you the cab number and ask for your name.

    On-Airport Car Rental: Several major car rental companies have counters at O'Hare. However, it is suggested that you arrange your rental in advance through a travel or rental agency. The availability of cars can be very limited for walk-up customers. Also, it is hard (but not impossible) to park on or close to campus.

    Downtown and Suburban Shuttles: The overwhelming majority go to downtown Chicago. However, there is a shuttle which goes to the Omni-Orrington Hotel in Evanston, which is only a couple of blocks from Northwestern.

    Disadvantage: It can be a very long time between round trips for this shuttle.

    The "EL" (Chicago Transit Authority Train): Last but not least, you might consider a scenic ride through the railyards of Chicago on the Elevated Train, or EL. The EL is recommended only if you are traveling on a low budget, because it is by far the cheapest form of public transportation (typically less than $2.00). It is also by far the most time-consuming way to go from O'Hare to Evanston. Excellent on-line maps of the EL routes are available at the CTA website.

        EL Directions

      Take the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown Chicago (approximately 45 minutes). Change at the Washington and State Street station to the Red Line, which will be going northbound to Howard Street. (Howard Street is the boundary between Chicago and Evanston.) After approximately 45 minutes you will arrive at the Howard terminal. Switch to the Purple Line (the Evanston Express). After ten minutes more, exit at Foster Street. From here it is eight more minutes walking eastbound along Foster Street to the Kellogg  building.

      During rush hours you can save 15 minutes by changing to the Purple Line at an earlier stop. Rush hours are 5:30am to 9:30am, and 3:30pm to 5:30pm. You will have to pay a surcharge of 50� on the train and 25� at the ticket booth. Take the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown Chicago. Change at the Randolph and Clark Street station to the faster Purple Line (the Evanston Express). After about 45 minutes exit at the Foster Street station. From here it is eight more minutes walking eastbound along Foster Street to the Kellogg Building.
             Disadvantage: It can take up to 2-3 hours to do this. But a lot of the trip is on the elevated part of the train track, so if you do this, you get to see parts of the ``northside'' neighborhoods of Chicago which include a view of historic Wrigley field home of the Chicago Cubs :)


From Midway Airport to Evanston:

There are no good solutions here - select O'Hare if you possibly can.

  • J.J. Limo, 1-800-548-3793
    45-60 minutes depending on traffic - $45/person

  • A taxi from Midway takes about an hour, and costs about $40 to $45.

  • Public transit: Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown. Then take the Red Line to Howard Street, and switch over to the Purple line to get from Howard Street to Noyes Street, close by the University.

  • Save money and maybe some time by taking the Orange Line from Midway to downtown, then getting off at the Randolph and Wabash Street station where there's a cab stand. Take a $20 cab ride from downtown to Evanston.

  • Another alternative: Take the Orange Line downtown, then take a taxi to the Metra North station. Take the North Line commuter train to Evanston (get off at Davis Street).

    Disadvantage: The trains don't run that often. It can be a long wait at the Madison Street station.

Other Resources