Pre-Arrival Information

Public Transportation from O’Hare International Airport 

Take the CTA train, BLUE LINE, which has a stop in the airport, to downtown Chicago, and exit at the WASHINGTON stop. Once you get off the WASHINGTON blue line stop, you will need to walk a couple of blocks to another train line stop with Metra Electric Line. This stop is known as either RANDOLPH or MILLENIUM station. Metra Electric Line will take you directly to University Park, Illinois, to within 5 minutes of the university. You can access train schedules for the train lines from their retrospective websites.

Governors State University provides transportation from the Metra Train stop in University Park to the university. Please click this link to get information on the shuttle service provided by Governors State University.

This is one of the cheapest options, but may take several hours. You may also need to carry your luggage up and down stairs.

Public Transportation from Midway International Airport

Take the CTA train ORANGE LINE, which has a stop very close by the airport, to downtown Chicago, and exit at the Randolph and Wabash stop. Once you get off the RANDOLPH/WABASH stop, you will need to walk a couple of blocks to another train line stop with Metra Electric Line. This stop is known as either RANDOLPH or MILLENIUM station. Metra Electric Line will take you directly to University Park, Illinois, to within 5 minutes of the university. You can access train schedules for the train lines from their retrospective websites.

Governors State University provides transportation from the Metra Train stop in University Park to the university. Please click this link to get information on the shuttle service provided by Governors State University.

This is one of the cheapest options, but may take several hours. You may also need to carry your luggage up and down stairs.

Taxi or Rideshare from O'Hare or Midway

For current information on taxi or rideshare (Uber or Lyft) transportation, please visit the Fly Chicago website.

If using taxi, be sure to only use the designated taxi stands on the Arrivals level. Follow the signs in the baggage claim area to find the taxi stand.

If using a rideshare service, be sure to download the app and set up your account beforehand. You will need to have access to cellular data or the airport's wifi in order to arrange the ride. Follow the signs in the baggage claim area to the designated rideshare pick up area. Please be sure to check the license plate and car type before getting into the vehicle.

Airport Hotels 

If you arrive at the airport when transportation is limited or not available, you may decide to stay at a hotel by the airport. Below are a few hotels in or by O’Hare International Airport:

Hotels by Midway Airport:

NOTE: All of these hotels offer free 24-hour shuttle service to and from the airport

Governors State University offers on-campus university housing. If you wish to live on-campus, you can find all of the housing information available on the GSU housing website at www.govst.edu/housing. Please be sure to apply for housing before arriving in Chicago, to guarantee that there is a room available for you.

Important: It is very important for you to make sure that you have a place to stay prior to your arrival in the United States. You will need to stay in a hotel if you have no other place to stay your first few nights. Hotel prices can vary greatly, ranging from less than $100 dollars to a few hundred dollars. Some of the local hotels, such as those in Matteson, may offer you a lower price if you tell them that you are a Governors State University student.