Moving to Northwest Indiana? A Guide to the New South Shore Line Stations

Having grown up in the SW Suburbs of Chicago, we learned to take the train to Chicago for day trips. In fact, I remember one of my awesome teachers in High School (Mr. Daugherty), had planned a scavenger hunt around the city when we were Seniors. We had the school bus take us to the train station and there we were given a scavenger hunt sheet. We had to figure our way to the city and then how to get around the city. We did have an adult with us this day, but they were not to intervene unless it was absolutely necessary. I remember this field trip so fondly as such a wonderful memory.

When I moved to NW Indiana, I realized that the trains were not as easily accessible. There was always talk of this supposed Munster Train Station that then would extend to St. John and Lowell, but it was talked about for years and years (and even more prior to me moving here in 2013). Well that began to come to fruition a few years ago when the funding came through and the project started for the Munster Station.

This station opened up on March 31, 2026 and includes the Monon Coridor which is South Hammond, Munster & Dyer. There are no train schedules that run throughout the day making the commute easy to get to the city. Parking in the lit lots makes life a lot easier too for arriving early or coming back late. Previous to this, I always knew people went to the East Chicago station due to the lights and easability to get in and out.

The South Shore line has also expanded through the years to head towards SW Michigan. The Portage/Ogden Dunes station makes it easy to get to lake front communities more than ever before. The Miller station drops you just a mile or two from the dunes. Then if you get off in Michigan City you can change trains and head to New Buffalo. Staying on the Lakeshore Corridor will bring you to South Bend.

The trains are coming a long way in NW Indiana and that is a great thing for commuting. Plus, I’m sure if the Chicago Bears make their way here (Fingers Crossed), we’ll see additional stations added in towards Whiting too! That would make the nightmareish commute down Indianapolis Blvd to get to the stadium much better!

Want more information? Check out the South Shore line’s website HERE.