The University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (C-U) in east-central Illinois. C-U is situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Travel Options to Champaign-Urbana

AIRPLANE

• University of Illinois Willard Airport (airport code CMI) serves the Champaign-Urbana area.
• Other airport options (the following at least two hours' drive from Champaign-Urbana AND will require you to make additional arrangements to get to campus):
  1. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (airport code ORD)
  2. Chicago Midway International Airport (airport code MDW)
  3. Lambert - St. Louis (Missouri) International Airport (airport code STL)
  4. Indianapolis (Indiana) International Airport (airport code IND)

TRAIN

• AMTRAK has service between downtown Chicago and Champaign

BUS/SHUTTLE

•  ISSS O'Hare to Urbana-Champaign Shuttle Service is provided by the University's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office for new incoming international students and their families. This service is only offered from August 16 - 19 for new students starting in Fall 2024. Registration is now open! For more details and to access the Registration Form, please visit the ISSS O'Hare to Urbana-Champaign Shuttle Service website.
• Peoria Charter (private bus company) serves many different locations including both Chicago Airports (O'Hare and Midway). Pickup is available from Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 at the O'Hare International Airport with multiple drop-off points on-campus.
• Greyhound (private bus company) has daily service between downtown Chicago and the Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign.

Note that the train and most bus/shuttle services arrive at the Illinois Terminal, located at 45 East University Avenue in downtown Champaign (about one mile from campus).

Travel Options Within Champaign-Urbana

After you have arrived to Champaign-Urbana (by airplane, train, or bus/shuttle), you will need to secure transportation from your drop-off point to your final destination (e.g. dormitory, apartment, etc.).

Suggested modes of transportation (you are responsible for making arrangements and associated costs) within Champaign-Urbana. Area taxi companies and ride sharing services frequently serve the Illinois Terminal on the west side (front).

• MTD (city bus from Illinois Terminal--limited hours of operation and destinations)
• Taxi cab (Google for options). The average cost of a taxi is $15 - $20 to campus from Willard Airport or the Illinois Terminal. For assistance, please ask an employee at the airport or terminal. Be sure to agree on the cost of your cab fare before leaving for your destination.
  
  For these ride sharing options, be sure to agree on the cost before leaving for your destination:
• Uber (ride sharing service)
• Lyft (ride sharing service)

Transportation Guide

ISSS has put together a helpful guide to using the above-mentioned modes of transportation to get to campus from Chicago O'Hare International Airport.