Please register here for the conference
Traveling from out of town? Register with the meal option
Students, please register here
Getting to Urbana, IL: Travel Guide for the Tagore House Conference Attendees
- Shuttles & Ride Shares: Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services are available. From CMI, it’s a quick ride.
- Rental Cars: Available at all major airports.
- Bus Services: Peoria Charter offers scheduled service between Urbana and both Chicago airports. PDF Schedule available
Welcome to Urbana! Whether you’re flying in from across the country or driving from a nearby city, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to make your trip to our conference as smooth as possible.
✈️ Arriving by Air
Nearest Airports:
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) – 2.5–3 hours by car or bus. Great for international travelers.
This option is preferred. Connections and availability are plentiful.
Please note: If you plan to arrive ORD (Chicago) by 2 pm (3:30 pm bus), you should be able to reach Urbana by 7:30 pm. There is another on arriving later as well. - University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) – Located just 15 minutes from Urbana, this is the most convenient option. Offers daily flights via American Airlines from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
This is preferred if you want minimize driving or bus ride. - Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) – About 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Service from several U.S. cities.
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – Roughly 2 hours away. A major airport with more flight options.
Ground Transportation from Airports:
🚗 Arriving by Car
Urbana is easily accessible via Interstates 57, 72, and 74.
Approximate Drive Times:
- Chicago, IL – 2.5 hours
- St. Louis, MO – 3 hours
- Indianapolis, IN – 2 hours
- Bloomington, IL – 1 hour
Parking Information: Conference parking will be available at [Designated Location]. Details and passes will be sent to registered attendees prior to the event.
🚆 By Train or Bus
Amtrak: The nearest station is in Champaign (CHM), just a 10-minute drive from Urbana. The Illini and Saluki lines connect Chicago and Carbondale with stops in Champaign.
Please find the train link here.
Greyhound & Megabus: Service available to Champaign. From there, take a short taxi or rides hare to Urbana.
Peoria Charter: Service available from several locations across Chicago to Champaign.
🧭 Getting Around Urbana
Urbana-Champaign is a walkable and bike-friendly community. Other transportation options include:
- MTD Bus System – Frequent service across the twin cities.
- Biking – Bike rental stations are located across town.
- Rideshare & Taxis – Uber and Lyft operate locally.
🏨 Hotel Shuttle Info
If you’re staying at one of our partner hotels, check with the front desk about conference shuttles or rides to the venue. More info can be found on our Lodging & Accommodations page.
🌐 Questions?
If you have specific travel needs or accessibility concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at conference.2025@tagorehouse.org. We’re here to help!
We look forward to welcoming you to Urbana!