How to Get Here

Planning Transportation To Symposium: A How-To Guide

Hello! We are so happy you will be joining us for the 2023 SAVMA Symposium hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Due to the location, there are not many inexpensive options to fly in directly to UIUC, but this guide was written to give you some options on how to navigate to Symposium in March. 

Estimated arrivals are overestimations on how long it’s expected to get from your destination to UIUC to account for weather or other issues. Prices are also estimated and are expected to vary depending on ticket chosen and additional cost for luggage.

During the symposium, transportation will be taken care of by a variety of shuttles and buses. Day trips will have designated shuttles, along with continuous lines from hotels to the symposium sites, and social events. If you have specific questions about the day of transportation, please contact savmasymposium2023@gmail.com.  

Getting to the Symposium is a different story!

First, if you are arriving in Urbana-Champaign at the Illinois Terminal, there will be a shuttle parked waiting for you at the location in the image above (spot marked in a red box). For safety reasons, you will be asked to present your school ID to use this shuttle to get to the hotels. 

There are nearby airports we recommend (reference map below). Please note that there are other options not listed.

1. Willlard Airport (CMI)

a. Closest to UIUC
b. If arriving through this airport, keep in mind it is small and expensive. 

2. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

a. Chicago arrival (2.5 hours away from UIUC)
b. ORD --> UIUC (you can also find a detailed guide by UIUC International Student and Scholar Services here.)

i. Peoria Charters (~$42 one way): allot 4 hours of travel time

Booking will only show the buses available that week, so plan accordingly: https://peoriacharter.com/schedule?date=12%2F04%2F2022&roundtrip=false&pickup=7&dropoff=2

Our shuttle will pick up and take you to our hotel blocks from Illinois Terminal (45 E. University Ave, South Platform). Shuttles will NOT go to other locations.

ii. Amtrack (~$20 one way): allot 3 hours of travel time

If this mode of transportation is selected, navigation through Chicago's subway system is necessary to get to the Amtrack terminal at Chicago Union Station (225 S Canal Street). The train will take you to the Champaign Intermodal Transport Center Bus Stop (Illinois Terminal, 45 E University). We will be offering shuttle pick up at this location. Tickets can be purchased in advance here: https://www.amtrak.com/tickets-reservations

3. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

a. Same as ORD

4. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA)

a. Peoria Charters (~$42 one way); allot 3 hours of travel time

Booking will only show the buses available that week, so plan accordingly: https://peoriacharter.com/schedule?date=12%2F04%2F2022&roundtrip=false&pickup=7&dropoff=2

Our shuttle will pick up and take you to the hotel from Illinois Terminal 45 E. University Ave (South Platform). Shuttles will NOT go to other locations.

b. Find other bus schedule/tickets at https://www.ridecitylink.org/schedules-routes/ (ETA varies)

5. Bloomington International Airport (BMI)

a. Greyhound USA (~$15-20 one way): allot 1.5 hours of travel time

You can book ahead of time. Bus will take you to the Champaign Intermodal Transport Center Bus Stop (Illinois Terminal 45 E University). We will be offering shuttle pick up at this location.

6. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

a. Amtrak (~$20 one way) allot 3 hours of travel time

If this mode of transportation is selected, navigation through Chicago’s subway system is necessary to get to Amtrack terminal at Chicago Union Station at 225 S Canal Street. The Amtrak will take you to the Champaign Intermodal Transport Center Bus Stop (Illinois Terminal 45 E University). We will be offering shuttle pick up at this location. Tickets can be purchased in advance: https://www.amtrak.com/tickets-reservations 

b. Greyhound USA (~$30-50 one way): allot 4 hours of travel time

You can book ahead of time. The greyhound bus will take you to the Champaign Intermodal Transport Center Bus Stop (Illinois Terminal 45 E University). We will be offering shuttle pick up at this location.

7. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

a. Greyhound USA (~$30-50 one way): allot 4 hours of travel time

You can book ahead of time. The greyhound bus will take you to the Champaign Intermodal Transport Center Bus Stop (Illinois Terminal 45 E University). We will be offering shuttle pick up at this location.