A UChicago Transportation Guide: Options for getting around campus and the city

A UGo shuttle on campus on a rainy dayMARCH 17, 2023

The University of Chicago has several options for students to use to safely get around campus, Hyde Park, and the city.

A great place to start is the UChicago Safe mobile app, which lists transportation information, travel options, and maps available for UChicago students, faculty, and staff.

The University of Chicago’s main campus is in Hyde Park, which is a very walkable neighborhood, and many places like classes, gyms, libraries, restaurants, and shops can all be reached by walking.

The University of Chicago also offers several free transportation options for getting around Hyde Park.

  • UGo Shuttles: UGo shuttles are free to anyone with a University of Chicago ID. The shuttles travel all over campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and UChicago properties downtown during both the day and night. Routes that run during daytime hours stop at specifically marked stops; passengers on nighttime routes can flag the driver and ask to be dropped off at any intersection on the route. More information about the UGo shuttles, including operating times and route maps can be found on the Department of Safety and Security’s transportation page. Live updates on UGo shuttles can be found on the TransLoc app.
  • Lyft Ride Smart Program: UChicago’s Lyft Ride Smart Program offers students 10 free rides per month (up to $15 off per ride) on all evening and late-night rides within the campus service area from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m., seven days a week. Students should check their UChicago email address for an invitation to sign up for this program. As with any rideshare service, remember to confirm the driver’s name and license plate number before entering the vehicle.
  • CTA Buses: There are several bus routes that service the area around the Hyde Park campus. Anyone with a UChicago ID can board the 171 and 172 bus routes for free.

There are also several options for students to travel beyond Hyde Park. The RTA Trip Planner and Google maps are good resources to view possible routes and arrival times for public transportation options.

  • Downtown Campus Connector: Students and employees can use the Downtown Campus Connector to get from the Hyde Park campus to the Gleacher Center, UChicago Medical Centers downtown, and the Roosevelt CTA station. The Downtown Campus Connector runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., excluding holidays, with approximately 20 minutes between shuttles. More information, including a map of the route, can be found on the Department of Safety and Security’s website and the TransLoc app.
  • CTA Buses: The CTA is another good resource for connecting to neighborhoods in Chicago. All students in the College are given a U-Pass, which allows them to ride CTA trains and buses for free. The 192 bus is useful for students who travel between campus and the Ogilvie Metra Station, Union Station, or the CTA Roosevelt Station.
  • Trains: There are two commuter trains in Chicago—the CTA’s L, and Metra, a commuter train serving the city and surrounding suburban areas. Students can use their U-Pass for CTA but will need to purchase a ticket for Metra. Metra passes can be purchased online through the Ventra App.
    • CTA: The closest CTA trains to the Hyde Park campus are the Red Line, which stops at Garfield and the Dan Ryan, and the Green Line, which also stops at Garfield Blvd. The Red Line/Arts Block UGo Shuttle makes stops at both stations.
    • Metra: The closest Metra line to campus is the Electric District Line, which makes three stops in Hyde Park close to campus. The Metra Electric line is subsidized for all riders through 2023, including half off one-way and 10-ride fares. Students are eligible for a free, annual 10-ride pass for the Metra Electric by registering on my.UChicago.edu. The 53rd Street Express and Friend Center/Metra UGo Shuttles also make stops at the 57th Street Metra stations.
  • Biking: A map of bike racks around campus can be found on the Department of Safety and Security’s website. You can register your bike with the University of Chicago Police Department by emailing UCPD-cru@uchicago.edu. You can also use Chicago’s bike share program, Divvy, which offers a discounted annual membership to UChicago faculty, staff, and students with the discount code bikeUChicago and a valid University of Chicago email address. More information about Divvy bikes on campus can be found on the DSS website.

Related