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 January
Estimated hotel price
$103
1 night at 3-star hotel
Champaign in January
Estimated hotel price
$103
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 18 km 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 Chicago and takes around 1h 02m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Champaign. The train station in Champaign is called Champaign, and is located 9 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Champaign is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 193 km from Champaign. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Tornado Bus operates bus routes to Champaign. The most popular bus station is Champaign Pilot Travel Center, located 2.5 km from downtown Champaign. Champaign Ikenberry Dining Hall - 301 E Gregory Dr is also a commonly used station, and is 11 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Champaign, you’ll arrive at Champaign University-Willard (CMI), which is located 18 km 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 Chicago and takes around 1h 02m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Champaign. The train station in Champaign is called Champaign, and is located 9 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Champaign is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 193 km from Champaign. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Tornado Bus operates bus routes to Champaign. The most popular bus station is Champaign Pilot Travel Center, located 2.5 km from downtown Champaign. Champaign Ikenberry Dining Hall - 301 E Gregory Dr is also a commonly used station, and is 11 km from the city center.

Airports near Champaign

PIAGreater Peoria
SPISpringfield Capital
BMIBloomington-Normal

Airlines serving Champaign

KLM
Good (1,467 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,828 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,778 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,257 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,403 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,542 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,746 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,539 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,197 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,726 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,572 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,559 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (1,002 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (680 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (11,392 reviews)
Breeze Airways
Excellent (271 reviews)
WestJet
Good (3,281 reviews)
Air New Zealand
Excellent (607 reviews)
Allegiant Air
Good (717 reviews)
Show more
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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 & Conference Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.3, 598 reviews)
$85+
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Drury Inn & Suites Champaign
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 863 reviews)
$125+
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Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 560 reviews)
$112+
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Comfort Suites Urbana Champaign, University Area
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 467 reviews)
$82+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Urbana-Champaign (U Of I Area) By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.4, 307 reviews)
$124+
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Hotel Royer Urbana Champaign, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 37 reviews)
$111+
View

Renting a car in Champaign

Renting a car in Champaign costs $55 per day, on average, or $109 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 20% cheaper than airport locations in Champaign.

Expect to pay $3.29 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 $39.52 and $52.69. Economy (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Champaign, while also 40% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Champaign costs $55 per day, on average, or $109 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 20% cheaper than airport locations in Champaign.

Expect to pay $3.29 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 $39.52 and $52.69. Economy (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Champaign, while also 40% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Champaign

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$48/day

Intermediate

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$49/day

Supplier choice
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