Directions to Campus
Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois. Bloomington adjoins the town of Normal, Illinois, and the two are often referred to 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.
Incoming international students should refer to the New Student Arrival Instructions .
How to Get to IWU
Flying into Bloomington-Normal
The airport in Bloomington is 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 Dallas, Texas (DFW).
By bus from Chicago O'Hare
If you plan to fly into Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), an easy way to travel to Bloomington is via the Peoria Charter Coach Bus. Tickets cost approximately $36 USD and may be purchased from the bus driver as you board the coach or online.
This bus service is reliable, safe, clean, and offers a bathroom/toilet in the bus. It is safe to take this bus after dark. Generally, there are other students riding the bus from the airport to Bloomington-Normal who are quite helpful.
If you will be arriving at Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 (the international terminal), you can catch the coach directly outside at door 5E. (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 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 Normal's Uptown Station, which is near 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 bus station.
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.
While Traveling -- Lost Luggage
Please carry the shipping address (below) for the International Office with you in case of lost or delayed luggage. Remember to pack essential items—medications, travel and immigration documents—in your carry-on luggage.
Shipping Address
[Your name]
c/o the International Office, Center for Liberal Arts/ Rm 322
Illinois Wesleyan University
205 Beecher Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
USA
phone: +1 309 556-3190