Getting around North Chicago means choosing between Metra rail, Pace buses and driving, depending on your destination and the service running that day. North Chicago is served by Metra’s Union Pacific North line, while Pace routes connect local stops with nearby parts of Waukegan and Great Lakes.
- Rail: Metra’s UP-N line serves North Chicago station.
- Bus: Pace routes 563 and 569 serve parts of the area, with different operating patterns.
- From Red Carpet Inn North Chicago: Great Lakes station is about 33 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car.
- Payment: Pace accepts cash and Ventra payment options; fares depend on how you pay.
Rail connections in North Chicago
Metra’s Union Pacific North line serves North Chicago station, and Great Lakes station is another local rail reference point. From Red Carpet Inn North Chicago, Great Lakes station is about 33 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car. The two station names are distinct, so check your train’s departure station before setting out.
Local buses and regional connections
Pace buses connect North Chicago stops with local destinations and Waukegan, but route 563 and route 569 do not share the same service pattern.
Pace route 563
Route 563, Great Lakes Naval Station, serves North Chicago Metra Station, with the route map showing stops at Foss Park Avenue and the station. Its schedule describes weekend-only service; the map also indicates weekday-only operation between 24th Street and Foss Park Avenue via 24th, Commonwealth, MLK Jr. Drive and Sheridan.
Pace route 569
Route 569, Lewis, runs on weekdays between Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago and Lewis/Edgewood in Waukegan. It also serves Glen Flora Shopping Center, Belvidere Mall, North Chicago High School, Neal Jr.
High School, Waukegan Senior Center and the Naval Commissary. Certain trips serve Whispering Oaks Apartments and Waukegan High School’s Brookside and Washington campuses. Board only at posted stops along the route.
Pace lists route 569 fares as $2.00 regular or $1.00 reduced with Ventra Transit Value, and $2.25 regular or $1.10 reduced in cash. Pace provides published schedules, live Bus Tracker departures and route alerts for the route.
Because schedules, fares and service can change, check the official site before you go: use Pace’s route pages for bus details and Metra’s site for train schedules.
You can pay with cash, a Ventra Card or the Ventra mobile app. The Regional Day Pass allows unlimited rides on CTA, Metra and Pace within a single day and can be purchased in the latest version of the Ventra app.
NITA’s trip planner, maps, schedules and transit trackers bring those services together; its regional transit map covers bus and rail across northeastern Illinois.
For airport journeys, the ORD transportation guide covers routes and options. From Red Carpet Inn North Chicago, Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 33 minutes by car, Chicago Midway International Airport about 59 minutes, Chicago Executive Airport about 23 minutes, and Kenosha Regional Airport about 32 minutes.
When driving is useful
Driving can make local trips quicker than walking, particularly for destinations beyond the immediate station area. From Red Carpet Inn North Chicago, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is about 32 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car. The National Museum of the American Sailor is about 47 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car.
Other destinations take longer on foot: Lambs Farm Petting Zoo and Amusement Park is about 78 minutes from the hotel on foot or 8 minutes by car, while Ansel B.
Cook House is about 101 minutes on foot or 9 minutes by car. For a visit to the museum, the National Museum of the American Sailor visitor guide provides place-specific context.
Walking distances and route planning
Walking times from the hotel vary considerably by destination, so compare the walk with the drive before choosing how to travel. Great Lakes station and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science each have a stated walking time of about 33 and 32 minutes respectively; the museum takes about 47 minutes on foot. Great Lakes station’s role in local and onward journeys can help put that stop in context. The longer walks to Lambs Farm and Ansel B. Cook House may make driving more practical if those are your destinations.
For a bus journey, check whether the route serves your destination and whether the stop is designated for boarding. Pace says passengers on many suburban routes may board at a safe location along the route by signaling or flagging the driver, but route 569 uses posted stops only along its entire route.
Checking service changes and accessibility
Pace fixed-route buses have ramps, dedicated seating areas, and audio and visual stop announcements. The agency also describes fare-free eligibility for several groups, including riders with NITA free-ride Ventra cards, ADA-certified paratransit riders, children under 7 (up to two per fare-paying adult), active-duty military personnel in uniform, and police officers and firefighters in uniform or with badge and ID.
Before travelling, use the relevant operator’s trip planner, schedule or tracker to confirm the service for your journey. NITA provides regional maps and trip-planning tools, while Pace publishes route schedules, live bus departures and route alerts. This is especially useful when planning around routes with different weekday and weekend patterns.
FAQs
Which Metra line serves North Chicago?
Metra’s Union Pacific North line serves North Chicago station.
Does Pace route 569 run every day?
No. The route is described as weekday service between Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago and Lewis/Edgewood in Waukegan.
Can you use one pass on CTA, Metra and Pace?
The Regional Day Pass allows unlimited rides on all three systems within a single day.
Are Pace fixed-route buses accessible?
Yes. Pace fixed-route buses have ramps, dedicated seating areas, and audio and visual stop announcements.