Transportation
Please DO NOT book any flights prior to receiving the approval email from the registration team and reading the transportation details below.
Direct any questions you may have after reading this page to: info@collegetraining.org
Important Notes
The North America College Training (NACT) will be held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), which is ~140 miles (~3 hours) from Chicago airports.
Transportation is NOT included in your registration fee. You will need to arrange for your own transportation to and from all airports, including in Champaign or Chicago.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you travel (either ground or air) in GROUPS.
Check-in on July 16 at UIUC is between 12-6PM (12:00-18:00 CDT). As much as possible, please plan to arrive during this time.
Training will conclude on Saturday, July 22 after lunch. If you are flying out of Chicago airports, plan to depart after 5pm.
By Private Car or Van
If you choose to drive (groups recommended), please make your own arrangements.
By Plane
The nearest airport to UIUC is the University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI). You can use Uber or Lyft from CMI to UIUC (~15 min ride).
Other major airports:
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Chicago, IL - O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - 2 hours 35 minutes away from UIUC
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Chicago, IL - Midway International Airport (MDW) - 2 hours 25 minutes away from UIUC
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Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis International Airport (IND) - 2 hours away from UIUC
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Saint Louis, MO - Lambert-St Louis Airport (STL) - 2 hours 45 minutes away from UIUC
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Milwaukee, WI - General Mitchell Airport (MKE) - 3 hours 40 minutes away from UIUC
It is highly recommended that you rent a vehicle during the week to drive to/from dorms, cafeterias, and meeting places due to the hot weather.
Getting to UIUC from Chicago Airports (ORD/MDW)
O'Hare Airport to Chicago Union Station (Amtrak)
All Amtrak trains serving Chicago depart from Union Station. The best way to travel between the airport and Union Station is by the CTA train. Trains are fast and run frequently, and the entire journey takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. You can use this link as a tool to plan your CTA ride: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If your flight arrives at any of the domestic terminals (Terminal 1, 2 or 3), follow the signs "Trains to City" from any terminal. The walk from any gate to the station takes about 10 minutes.
If your flight arrives at the International terminal (Terminal 5), you will need to take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to the main terminals first. Follow the signs "Trains to City" or "Airport Transit System" and take the train to Terminal 3. Once there follow signs to “Trains to City” or “CTA”. The entire trip takes about 15-20 minutes.
CTA Tickets
You can buy tickets from the machines located outside the entrance of the CTA. The machine accepts cash, debit or credit cards. Please note that you can buy single rides or purchase a reloadable pass for $5. For pricing information click on this link: https://www.transitchicago.com/fares/. Once you have your ticket, pass through the turnstiles to the boarding platform. These will all be Blue line trains and run every 10-15 minutes.
O’Hare Airport to Union Station
Leave the train at Clinton station and exit the station to street level. This ride takes about 46 minutes. Walk two blocks north on S Clinton Street to Union Station. You will see Union Station near the intersection of Jackson and Clinton St. The entire walk takes about 5 minutes.
Additional Links:
Google directions
Amtrak