New Student Arrival -- Getting to IWU
Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois. Bloomington adjoins the town of Normal, Illinois, and the two are often referred to together as Bloomington-Normal. Bloomington-Normal is approximately 2.5 hours by car south of Chicago, Illinois, and about 3 hours by car north of St. Louis, Missouri. Bloomington is also accessible by plane, train and bus.
The airport in Bloomington is known as the Central Illinois Regional Airport (airport code: BMI). There are several direct flights daily into Bloomington from Chicago O’Hare airport (ORD), Atlanta, Georgia (ATL), and Detroit, Michigan (DTW).
Flying into Bloomington-Normal
By Bus from Chicago O'Hare Airport
By Train From Chicago
Lost Luggage
Flying into Bloomington-Normal
- From Atlanta, Georgia — There are daily flights via AirTran Airlines and Delta Airlines
- From Detroit, Michigan — There are daily flights from Detroit via Northwest Airlines
- From Chicago O’Hare airport — There are daily flights via United Airlines and American Airlines
By Bus from Chicago O’Hare
If you plan to fly into Chicago O’Hare airport, an easy way to travel from there to Bloomington is via the Peoria Charter Coach. Tickets cost approximately $33 USD and may be purchased from the bus driver before you board the coach.
If you will be arriving into Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 (the international terminal), you can catch the coach directly outside. Once you have passed through Customs and Immigration, exit Terminal 5 via door 5E and wait for the Peoria Charter bus in the bus shelter on the central island. (Note: There is a currency exchange near the McDonald’s restaurant in Terminal 5.)
If you will be flying into O’Hare from another US city, you will likely arrive in Terminal 1, 2, or 3 and will need to catch the Peoria Charter bus from the Bus Shuttle Center. Once you have claimed your luggage, follow the floor signs for the Bus Shuttle Center.
In Bloomington-Normal, the Peoria Charter stops at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center, which is near to the Illinois Wesleyan campus. If you plan to use the Peoria Charter bus, please notify us in advance and someone will meet you at the Bone Student Center. Please note that there is a late bus from O’Hare that arrives in Bloomington-Normal at 12:55 a.m.: do not take this bus unless you are certain that we know your travel arrangements and can meet you.
For more information on this bus service, including ticket prices and schedules, visit the Peoria Charter website and click on the “O’Hare & Midway Service” link.
By Train From Chicago
From Chicago’s Union Station, in downtown Chicago, there are several daily Amtrak trains into Bloomington-Normal. However, the train is not as convenient as traveling to Bloomington-Normal by bus or plane, and it often runs late.
Lost Luggage
Please carry the shipping address (below) for the International Office with you so that, in the case of lost or delayed luggage, you can leave it with the airline. Remember to pack essential items—medications, travel and immigration documents, a small supply of toiletries—in your hand luggage.
Shipping Address
[Your name]
c/o the International Office, Memorial Center 167
Illinois Wesleyan University
104 E. University Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
USA
phone: +1 309 556-3190