Traveling from downtown to UofC (Chicago, Bridgeport: neighborhoods, university, live)

[mzcnic]

What is the best/safest route from downtown Chicago to Hyde park early in the morning around 6AM? Especially if you want to avoid the red line on the south side. Is there a bus that runs by the lake? I was told not to take the redline past 47th street because it can be sketchy.

[chicagobear]

You can take the 6 Jackson Park Express bus along Lake Shore Drive or the Metra Electric commuter train from Millennium Station on Michigan Avenue. Google maps can give you Chicago public transit options.

[theuptowner1992]

Bus #2 on State or Bus #28 on Jackson are also a couple options.

My friend, who lives near UofC, rode the Green Line a few times, but he told me it's pretty sketchy. Hyde Park, from what I understand, is much more mixed, economically and racially, than surrounding neighborhoods, except for maybe Bridgeport (where IIT is located). He used to travel to the end of the route at Cottage Grove (and 63rd), then walk a couple blocks north into Hyde Park. He recommends taking the Metra Electric instead, which runs through the center of Hyde Park and very close to University of Chicago.

[StephanieGodfrey]

Bus Routes

CTA #6 Jackson Park Express bus travels regularly from downtown Chicago to Hyde Park. Catch the bus southbound along State Street in the Loop. Get off at 55th, 57th, or 59th Street (and Hyde Park Blvd), walk under the train tracks, and continue west to campus. Fare $2.25, estimated ride time: 30 minutes.

CTA #2 Hyde Park Express bus travels between State Street downtown and campus during morning and evening rush hours. The #2 Hyde Park Express stops along Hyde Park Blvd (51st Street), and along Cottage Grove (60th Street). Fare $2.25, estimated ride time: 25 minutes.

CTA #192 U of C Hospitals Express bus travels from the Ogilvie and Union Stations downtown to tbe campus and the University of Chicago Medical Center in the mornings. In the evenings, this route is reversed, traveling from the Medical Center to the Ogilvie and Union Stations.

Metra Train

Metra Electic District Line can be boarded downtown at the Millenium Park, Van Buren Street, or Museum Campus stations to ride down to campus. Disembark at the 55-56-57th Street or 59th Street Stations, then turn right to walk west to campus. Be sure to check the schedule, as the train is very punctual, but may not always be frequent. The fare is about $3.00.

[beaniemac]

if I'm taking public transportation to hyde park, I'd prefer the red line. then take the 55 bus to wherever going east. I likely wouldn't use the green line because I DO NOT advise walking through washington park at night time because its EXTREMELY dark. you can take the 55 bus from the green line station on 55th street as well, but the bus stop going east is not as well lit as I prefer it to be. at least on 55th and the dan ryan, the 55th bus stop going east is well lit, and usually full of people and lots of folks around.