UChicago and Evanston visit, need advice.

[IAmEverywhere]

I agree that a rental car makes a lot of sense. It's relatively easy to commute between Hyde Park and Evanston via Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road. By public transportation, it's convoluted. You have to take Metra or a bus from Hyde Park to downtown. Then you have to take the L to Evanston. The Purple Line only runs express to the Loop during specific hours. At any other time, you have to take the Red Line all the way to Howard, making local stops all the way, and then switch to the Purple Line. Two hours as cited by themag62 and jsk1983 sounds about right.

Originally Posted by nana053

There are actually more hotels around Northwestern's campus. What about staying there and then commuting to UofC for the tour or interview?

I wouldn't recommend this. If the OP wants to be in Hyde Park by 10, he'd have to leave Evanston by about 9. Even between 9 and 10 AM, traffic problems are likely. Mid-day, traffic problems are somewhat less likely (but still not uncommon).

Also, staying in Evanston would cause the trip in both directions to be time-sensitive. If the OP were staying in Hyde Park, at least the trip from Evanston back to Hyde Park wouldn't be time-sensitive.

Staying in Evanston would also mean the OP has minimal time to explore Hyde Park, where they'd probably be living if attending to the U of C program.

[mbahopeful]

thanks so much for the advice! I appreciate it!