The CTA Yellow Line, long known as the Skokie Swift, is a three-station line between Dempster-Skokie in Skokie and Howard in Chicago. It runs from about 4:40 a.m. to about 11:15 p.m. on weekdays, and riders change at Howard for the Red Line or Purple Line Express to downtown.
| Fact | Yellow Line |
|---|---|
| Terminals | Dempster-Skokie (Skokie) and Howard (Chicago) |
| Stations | 3: Dempster-Skokie, Oakton-Skokie, Howard |
| Length | About 4.7 miles |
| Hours | About 4:40 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. weekdays; later start on weekends |
| 24-hour service | No |
| Original name | Skokie Swift, first run April 20, 1964 |
| Transfers | Howard (Red, Purple) |
Route overview
The Yellow Line runs nonstop between Howard and Oakton-Skokie, then on to Dempster-Skokie. All three stations are accessible, and Dempster-Skokie and Howard have Park and Ride lots.
History of the Skokie Swift
The line uses part of the old Niles Center branch, which was abandoned in the late 1940s and 1950s. CTA restored service on the route as the Skokie Swift on April 20, 1964.
Hours
| Direction | Weekdays | Saturday | Sunday/holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dempster-Skokie to Howard | 4:55 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. |
| Howard to Dempster-Skokie | 4:40 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. |
Stations
| # | Station | Area | Transfers and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dempster-Skokie | Skokie | Terminal; Park and Ride |
| 2 | Oakton-Skokie | Skokie | |
| 3 | Howard | Red, Purple; Park and Ride |
Transfers
- Howard: Red Line (24 hours) and Purple Line, plus buses.
- Dempster-Skokie and Oakton-Skokie: bus connections.
Tips for riding the Yellow Line
- The last train leaves Howard for Skokie at about 11 p.m.; after that you will need a bus or other option.
- Weekend service starts later, at about 6:15 a.m. from Howard.
- At Howard, Red Line trains to downtown run around the clock.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Yellow Line called the Skokie Swift?
Skokie Swift was the original name of the service when it started on April 20, 1964. CTA still uses the name.
How many stops does the Yellow Line have?
Three: Dempster-Skokie, Oakton-Skokie and Howard.
Does the Yellow Line go downtown?
No. Change at Howard to the Red Line or, on weekday rush periods, the Purple Line Express.
What time does the Yellow Line stop running?
The last trains run at about 11:00 p.m. from Howard and 11:15 p.m. from Dempster-Skokie.
Related guides
- The Chicago L: Complete Guide to CTA Trains
- CTA Red Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Blue Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Brown Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Green Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Orange Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Pink Line: route, stations and guide
- CTA Purple Line: route, stations and guide
- Every Chicago L Station, by Line
- History of the Chicago L
- O’Hare and Midway: getting to and from Chicago’s airports
- CTA buses
- Metra commuter rail
- Divvy bikes
Sources
- CTA: Yellow Line
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Rapid Transit System
- Chicago-L.org: CTA chronology
- Wikipedia: Chicago “L”
- Wikipedia: List of Chicago “L” stations
Last updated: October 31, 2026