public transit in chicago

[Seona]

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I have an interview at U of Chicago on Monday, November 16th. Their pre-interview dinner is at some far away restaurant closer to Northwestern, and since I won't have a car, I was wondering how public transit was in the area (especially in the evening). Also, according to Google Maps Transit, it's going to take me 3.5 hours to get from the International House hostel near U of Chicago to the dinner restaurant...it's having me walk the rest of the 10 miles! Do a lot of buses not run on Sundays or something?

 

[MRa2z]

hey there,

i'm not sure about buses, but I would discourage you from taking public transport anywhere near the evening time from Uchicago - hyde park can be kind of sketchy.

I do know that the south shore is close to there, that runs right into downtown, and from downtown the redline goes right up towards northwestern downtown as well...

You may be better off taking a cab though. in either case, you shouldn't have to walk 10 miles. let me know if you have any other questions about the city.

 

[Seona]

You may be better off taking a cab though.

Hmm, how much would a cab from UChicago to pretty much right next to Northwestern Memorial Hospital run me? I was considering just skipping the dinner altogether (although I actually love the dinners -- it's a great way to get to know the residents).

 

[Broken Ankles]

I have an interview at U of Chicago on Monday, November 16th. Their pre-interview dinner is at some far away restaurant closer to Northwestern, and since I won't have a car, I was wondering how public transit was in the area (especially in the evening). Also, according to Google Maps Transit, it's going to take me 3.5 hours to get from the International House hostel near U of Chicago to the dinner restaurant...it's having me walk the rest of the 10 miles! Do a lot of buses not run on Sundays or something?

check out http://www.transitchicago.com/

this will tell you exactly what to take to get to your destination. however, unless things have changed over the past several years, the train ("L") does not directly serve the U of C community. you have to connect with the bus, which makes the trip more dangerous because more walking is involved to make the connections. remember, outside of the immediate area surrounding U of C, we are talking about one of the worst ghettos in the usa.

i would suggest taking a cab to one of the train stops and going from there, and forgo the bus. however, if you're really strapped for cash, connecting with the bus is doable. i did it during the daytime, but i would never do it again.

 

[staylor21]

To echo what others have said, I wouldn't take public transport to UofC. If you did so, your options would be:

1) The bus (#6 jeffrey I believe). Quite honestly, the safest of the options. Not sure how close it comes to the I-house
2) The metra--comes the 57th st, mebbe 4-5 block walk to i-house. But doesn't run as often as you might like.
3) Red line--I'd avoid this option if possible.

If I were you, I'd just cab it. Figure $20 each way. In the grand scheme of your lifetime earnings, not a whole lot of cash (And you might be able to hitch a ride back to hyde park as well)...Hyde Park is not nearly as dangerous as some would make it to be, but in general I wouldn't wander around an area I don't know, especially at night.

 

[MRa2z]

I live near the roosevelt red line stop, and from there on North ( probably about a 10-15 minute ride to the northwestern stop) is pretty safe and clear...as it goes south it's pretty sketchy though...so if u take a cab and then hop on the red line take a cab up to roosevelt at the earliest.

i'd say from uchicago to downtown would be 25 bucks each way probably.

i repeat, avoid the buses and transport around uchicago....not a safe area at all.

your safety is worth more than 50 bucks here or there. =)

 

[cchoukal]

To echo what others have said, I wouldn't take public transport to UofC. If you did so, your options would be:

If I were you, I'd just cab it. Figure $20 each way. In the grand scheme of your lifetime earnings, not a whole lot of cash (And you might be able to hitch a ride back to hyde park as well)...Hyde Park is not nearly as dangerous as some would make it to be, but in general I wouldn't wander around an area I don't know, especially at night.

Having recently graduated from their residency, I would echo the above. Yes, paying for the cab is a drag, but there isn't great transit from hyde park to downtown. It can be done, but now is not the time for you to be stressing about finding the right bus, etc. My guess, as others have stated, is that you'll be able to hitch a ride home, as well.

 

[fakin' the funk]

I was in the exact same position last year. Staying at I-House, going to some U of C dinner downtown near NWern. I took the Metra and walked, tried to do some shopping to justify the 1+hr each way. My advice? Call the program coordinator and let them know you can be on U of C campus before the dinner and need a ride. All the residents drive that way anyway - so they'll hook you up with a resident who's finishing up in the OR's - all you have to do is hang out near the anesthesia office in the evening. I wish I'd done this last year...since they told me on the interview day, "We shoulda just gotten a resident to drive you."