Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Champaign travel guide

Champaign Tourism | Champaign Guide

You're Going to Love Champaign

With a population of 81,055, Champaign is a must-see destination in Illinois, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Champaign deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Champaign

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Axe Bar (114 S Neil St) and Hamilton Walker's (201 N Neil St) are great picks.

When to visit Champaign

Champaign in July
Estimated hotel price
$113
1 night at 3-star hotel
Champaign in July
Estimated hotel price
$113
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Champaign in July, when the average temperature is 75.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 86 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 17.6 °F, with an average temperature of 26.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 4.2″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Champaign, with an average rainfall of 2″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Champaign

Plane

When flying to Champaign, you’ll arrive at Champaign University-Willard (CMI), which is located 11 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Champaign include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and British Airways. The shortest domestic flight to Champaign departs from Seattle and takes around 6h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Champaign. The train station in Champaign is called Champaign, and is located 6 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Champaign is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 120 miles from Champaign. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Champaign using Greyhound or Tornado Bus. The most popular bus station is Champaign Pilot Travel Center, located 1.6 miles from downtown Champaign. Champaign Ikenberry Dining Hall - 301 E Gregory Dr is also a commonly used station, and is 7 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Champaign, you’ll arrive at Champaign University-Willard (CMI), which is located 11 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Champaign include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and British Airways. The shortest domestic flight to Champaign departs from Seattle and takes around 6h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Champaign. The train station in Champaign is called Champaign, and is located 6 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Champaign is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 120 miles from Champaign. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Champaign using Greyhound or Tornado Bus. The most popular bus station is Champaign Pilot Travel Center, located 1.6 miles from downtown Champaign. Champaign Ikenberry Dining Hall - 301 E Gregory Dr is also a commonly used station, and is 7 miles from the city center.

Airports near Champaign

PIAGreater Peoria
SPISpringfield Capital
BMIBloomington-Normal

Airlines serving Champaign

KLM
Good (1,419 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,583 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,994 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,535 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,665 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,037 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,421 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,494 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,625 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,170 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,658 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,568 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (943 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (675 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (11,045 reviews)
Air New Zealand
Excellent (534 reviews)
WestJet
Good (3,172 reviews)
Breeze Airways
Excellent (237 reviews)
Allegiant Air
Good (701 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Champaign

Where to stay in Champaign

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Candlewood Suites Champaign-Urbana Univ Area By IHG and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Champaign.

Most popular hotel in Champaign by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Champaign

Most booked hotels in Champaign

See all
I Hotel And Conference Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.3, 585 reviews)
$102+
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Drury Inn & Suites Champaign
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 842 reviews)
$115+
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Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/ Urbana
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 360 reviews)
$112+
View
Comfort Suites Urbana Champaign, University Area
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 460 reviews)
$87+
View
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Champaign North
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1148 reviews)
$90+
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Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 738 reviews)
$91+
View

Renting a car in Champaign

Renting a car in Champaign costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 17% cheaper than airport locations in Champaign.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Champaign (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Champaign is Full-size (Class Full-size SUV or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Rogue or similar) are, on average, 45% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Champaign costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 17% cheaper than airport locations in Champaign.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Champaign (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Champaign is Full-size (Class Full-size SUV or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Rogue or similar) are, on average, 45% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Champaign

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$33/day

Compact

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$34/day

Supplier choice
Find car rentals in Champaign