Purple Line train at Central

train iconPurple Line ‘L’

The Purple Line provides rapid transit train service between Linden (in Wilmette) and Howard (in Chicago) via Evanston. Additionally, during weekday rush-periods, express service continues to downtown Loop.

This page contains

 

Hours of operation: 

Shuttle service between Linden and Howard
 

Mon.-Thu.

 Friday

Saturday

Sunday/Holiday
Linden to Howard

4:45a-1:30a

 4:50a-2:10a

5:30a-2:15a

6:30a-1:45a
Howard to Linden

4:25a-1:10a

 4:30a-1:50a

5:05a-1:50a

6:05a-1:20a
Express service between Linden and Downtown (via Loop 'L')
  Monday-Friday Saturday Sunday/Holiday
Linden to Loop 'L'

5:15a-9:20a
2:25p-6:25p

    
Loop 'L' to Linden

5:55a-10:05a
3:05p-7:05p

    

 

 

Timetables

Route-wide timetable brochure (pdf)Web-based text timetables from RTARoute diagram & station info

 

Service alerts

Current alerts 1
Purple Line Express
Service for 2018 Cubs Weekday Night Games and Wrigley Field Concerts
Added Service

Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will stop at Sheridan for all weekday Cubs night games and Wrigley Field concerts.

Accessibility Alerts 1
Washington/WellsPink LineBrown LineOrange LinePurple Line Express
Elevator at Washington/Wells Temporarily Out-of-Service
Elevator Status

The elevator at Washington/Wells (Orange, Pink, Brown and Purple Line Express) is temporarily out-of-service.

Upcoming alerts 1

 RSS Feed: Purple Line Alerts

 

Route diagram

with stations and station timetables

This diagram represents the order of stations along the route (not geography).

Purple Line Stop

LindenAccessible stationPark & Ride available

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Stop

Central

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Stop

Noyes
Purple Line Stop

Foster
Purple Line Stop

DavisAccessible station

Connect to Metra UP-N trains via Davis St/Evanston StationTransfer to buses
Purple Line Stop

Dempster

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Stop

Main

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Stop

South Blvd

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Transfer Stop

Howard Accessible stationPark & Ride available

Transfer to Red Line trainsTransfer to Yellow Line trainsTransfer to buses
 

During weekday rush periods, Purple Line Express trains continue express to downtown via Loop 'L'...
Purple Line Transfer Stop

WilsonAccessible station

Transfer to Red Line trainsTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

BelmontAccessible station

Transfer to Red Line trainsTransfer to Brown LineTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Stop (rush periods, only)

WellingtonAccessible station
Purple Line Express Stop (rush periods, only)

DiverseyAccessible station

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

FullertonAccessible station

Transfer to Red Line trainsTransfer to Brown LineTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Stop (rush periods, only)

ArmitageAccessible station

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express Stop (rush periods, only)

SedgwickAccessible station

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express Stop (rush periods, only)

ChicagoAccessible station

Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

Merchandise MartAccessible station

Transfer to Brown LineTransfer to buses
 

...Purple Line Express trains then continue to and make all stops, operating clockwise around the the Loop 'L', in the following order (before returning to Linden):
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

Clark/LakeAccessible station

Transfer to Blue Line (subway)Transfer to Brown LineTransfer to Green LineTransfer to Pink LineTransfer to Orange LineTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

State/Lake

Transfer to Red Line (subway) (farecard required)Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express stop

Washington/WabashAccessible station

Connect to Metra & South Shore Millennium StationTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

Adams/Wabash

Transfer to Brown LineTransfer to Green LineTransfer to Orange LineTransfer to Pink LineTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

Harold Washington Library-State/Van BurenAccessible station

Transfer to Brown LineTransfer to Orange LineTransfer to Pink LineTransfer Blue Line subway (farecard required)Transfer to Red Line (subway) (farecard required)Transfer to buses
Purple Line Express stop

LaSalle/Van Buren

Connect to LaSalle Street Metra (Rock Island District) StationTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express stop

Quincy

Connect to Metra BNSF, Milwaukee District, North Central and Amtrak trains via Chicago Union StationTransfer to buses
Purple Line Express Transfer Stop (rush periods, only)

Washington/WellsAccessible station

Transfer to Brown LineTransfer to Orange LineTransfer to Pink LineConnect to Metra (UP Lines) Ogilvie StationTransfer to buses
 

...after leaving Washington/Wells, Purple Line Express trains then exit Loop and make all stops from Merchandise Mart back through to Linden.
Quick links
Schedules Trackers Maps
Alerts Fares Ventra
icon-info-2
April 'L' timetable update

Some 'L' routes will receive updated schedules April 29, 2018. 

We routinely adjust schedules several times each year to help make service operate more efficiently and to account for seasonal ridership patterns.

Preview the updated route timetables

System status snapshot
‘L’ route status
Red Line
Planned Work
Blue Line
Planned Work
Brown Line
Normal Service
Green Line
Normal Service
Orange Line
Normal Service
Pink Line
Normal Service
Purple Line
Normal Service
Yellow Line
Normal Service
All ‘L’ alerts: Current or Upcoming
Bus routes w/alerts
3
4
6
9
X9
12
J14
26
59
66
71
77
79
80
82
91
103
115
126
143
147
151
152
157
All bus alerts: Current or Upcoming
Elevator alerts
Blue Line
Harlem (O'Hare Branch)
Brown Line
Washington/Wells
Green Line
43rd, Cottage Grove, Roosevelt
Orange Line
Midway, Roosevelt, Washington/Wells
Pink Line
Washington/Wells
Purple Line
Washington/Wells
All elevator alerts: Current or Upcoming
See also: complete system status