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

Accessibility Alerts 2
Washington/WellsPink LineOrange LinePurple Line Express
Elevator at Washington/Wells Temporarily Out-of-Service
Elevator Status

The elevator to/from street and Orange, Pink, and Purple Line Express platform at Washington/Wells is temporarily out-of-service.

Washington/WabashPink LineGreen LineOrange LinePurple Line Express
Elevator at Washington/Wabash Temporarily Out-of-Service
Elevator Status

The Orange, Pink, Purple and 63rd-bound Green Line platform elevator at Washington/Wabash is temporarily out-of-service.

 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 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

QuincyAccessible station

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 Fares Maps
Alerts Trackers Ventra
System status snapshot
‘L’ route status
Red Line
Normal Service
Blue Line
Minor Delays
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
1
2
4
N5
6
7
8
J14
15
20
21
22
24
26
28
29
30
56
59
60
62
67
70
85
87
90
91
92
112
124
126
134
135
136
151
156
157
All bus alerts: Current or Upcoming
Elevator alerts
Red Line
95th
Green Line
King Drive, Wash./Wabash
Orange Line
Wash./Wabash, Wash./Wells
Pink Line
Wash./Wabash, Wash./Wells
Purple Line Exp
Wash./Wabash, Wash./Wells
All elevator alerts: Current or Upcoming
See also: complete system status