Planning Your Visit
To take full advantage of campus days, you should first register with the CIR office and then consult the schedule to determine how to plan your days on the University of Chicago campus. We have also included hotel and lodging information, local transportation options and travel reimbursement requirements here.
Register for Campus Days
You may register for campus days online. Please direct any questions about registration to Student Affairs Administrator, E.G. Enbar at 773.702.8312.
Planning Your Days
We have planned Campus Days carefully to give you a well-rounded perspective on the Committee on International Relations and the University of Chicago. Review the schedule and plan how to use your time.
We have also scheduled blocks of free time to allow sufficient flexibility for each student to pursue those activities of greatest personal interest and relevance. Program faculty, preceptors, and in-resident students will be available to help you identify classes you would like to visit and to find your way around. Faculty and preceptor office hours will be posted. There will be sign-up sheets for campus and library tours. For those who prefer self-tours, we will provide a list of locations of interest.
Places to Stay
We have compiled a short list of accommodations within walking distance
of campus here, as well as a more expansive list of hotels and other
accommodations including downtown ("the Loop") and near Midway Airport available for download.
Both include approximate distance to campus, price, contact information
and links to reservation sites. They vary widely in price and we have
made every effort to note which establishments offer discounts to
patrons visiting the University of Chicago; these establishments are
marked with an *. Often times these discounts
are based on availability, so please be sure to mention that you are
visiting the University to them when you arrange your stay.
Hyde Park Hotel Information
Hotel |
Price Range |
Telephone |
| International House | $60-70 | 773-753-2270 |
| 1414 E. 59th St. |
0.4 miles |
|
| Ramada Lake Shore Chicago | $99-160* | 773-288-5800 |
|
4900 S. Lakeshore Dr. |
1.4 miles |
|
| University Quarters Bed and Breakfast Prices | not listed | 773-855-8349 |
| 6137 South Kimbark Ave. | 1.0 miles |
|
| Wooded Isle Suites | $120-160* | 773-288-5578 |
| 5750 S. Stony Island Ave. | 0.9 miles |
Download the 2009 Accommodation List [PDF]
Getting To Campus
There are several ways to reach the University of Chicago campus from Chicago's two major airports, Midway and O'Hare, as well as the two major bus and train terminals, Greyhound and Union Station (includes MegaBus). We have prepared the following to help you reach campus from any of these locations, as well as downtown, via airport shuttle, taxi, Chicago Transit (CTA) and Metra, as well as driving directions and campus parking information.
Airport Shuttles
University Transportation
Phone: 773-643-4003/800-369-4313
Prices: $70 to O'Hare; $50 to Midway
$5 for each additional person
Pick up locations: Call for details
Omega Airport Shuttle Service
Phone: 773-483-6634
Prices: $30 to O'Hare; $17 to Midway
Pick up locations: On campus, details on website
Taxi Transportation
Approximate taxi fares to campus from:
- Midway - $20
- O'Hare - $55
- Downtown - $22
You may call a taxi by dialing 773-TAXI-CAB (773-829-4222).
Public Transportation: CTA
You may plan your CTA route with door-to-door directions with the CTA Trip Planner.
The cost of riding on the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is $2.00 per
ride in cash. Please have exact change (dollar bills are accepted) or
purchase a pass in the station. You can also purchase a pass online in advance of your visit.
From Midway to Pick Hall
Take the #55 or the X55 (express bus) from the CTA bus center. Once you
pass over a freeway and enter a park (Washington Park) you are close to
campus. Get off at Ellis Avenue and walk south on Ellis to 57th Street.
Turn left on 57th Street and walk one block to University Avenue and
turn right. Pick Hall will be a modern building on your right, just
past the 58th street entrance to the Quadrangles.
From Midway to Downtown
Take the Orange Line out of Midway Airport; consult the CTA Trip Planner for specific directions to your destination.
From O'Hare to Pick Hall
Take the Chicago Transit
Authority's (CTA) Blue Line train from the airport to the Jackson
Street stop. Exit the subway and walk one block east to State Street.
Then follow directions for travel by bus from downtown to Pick Hall
listed below.
From Downtown to Pick Hall by CTA Bus
On State Street, take the #6 Jackson Park Express bus southbound to
57th Street. Walk west on 57th Street to University Avenue. Turn left
and Pick Hall will be a modern building on your right, just past the
58th street entrance to the Quadrangles.
From Greyhound Bus Station
Walk east from the Greyhound Bus
Station to Harrison and Jefferson. Take CTA BUS # 7 Harrison Eastbound
to Jackson & State. Take the CTA Red Line Train Southbound (to
95/Dan Ryan) to the Garfield stop. Take CTA BUS # 55 Garfield Eastbound
to 55th and University Ave. Walk south to Pick Hall at 5828 S.
University Ave.
From Union Station
Walk west from Union Station to Canal
& between Jackson & Adams. Take CTA Bus # 151 Sheridan
Northbound to Randolph & Michigan. Walk wast to the Randolph St.
Metra Station. Take the Metra Electric Line to 55-56-57th St. Walk west
on 57th to University Ave. and turn right. Pick Hall will be on your
left at 5828 S. University Ave.
Public Transport: Metra Commuter Train
The Metra Electric Commuter Train from downtown Chicago takes
approximately 15 minutes to reach Hyde Park. The train costs $2.35 and
makes stops downtown along Michigan Avenue at Randolph, Van Buren (near
the Art Institute of Chicago), and Roosevelt (at the southern end of
Grant Park). You may purchase a ticket at the station or on the train
(the fare is $4.15 if purchased on the train). The Metra runs
frequently during rush hours and once an hour at other times of the
day; you can access a daily schedule online.
Please note: There's the El, the Metra, and the Metra Electric. Make
sure you find the Metra Electric; it is the only Metra train line with
service to Hyde Park.
From Downtown to Pick Hall
Exit the train at the 55-56-57 Street stop. Turn right out of the
station and walk 7 blocks west on 57th Street to University Avenue.
Turn left and Pick Hall will be a modern building on your right, just
past the 58th street entrance to the Quadrangles.
Driving Directions
From Midway Airport to Pick Hall
Take
55th Street (a.k.a. Garfield Blvd.) from airport East to Washington
Park. Continue east into the park and follow the curve of the road.
When the road forks, bear left, follow the road to the next corner and
turn right. This brings you back to 55th Street. The street bordering
the park on the east is Cottage Grove Avenue.
Continue on 55th Street to Woodlawn Avenue and turn right. Take
Woodlawn to 59th Street and turn right; the Midway Plaisance will be to
your left. Take 59th to University Avenue and turn right. Pick Hall
will be on your left at 5828 S. University Ave.
From O'Hare Airport to Pick Hall
Head east on I-90 past downtown until you reach the exit for I-55
North. As I-55 North ends, take the exit to Lake Shore Drive South.
Then follow the directions from downtown (below).
From Downtown Chicago
Take Lake Shore Drive south and turn right at the 57th Street exit.
Follow the road's curve around the Museum of Science and Industry to
the second light, 57th Drive, and turn right again. At the first
street, Stony Island Avenue, turn left. Continue on Stony Island to the
next light, 59th Street, and turn right. Follow the directions below to
the destination of your choice.
Continue west down 59th Street to University Avenue and turn right. Pick Hall will be on your left at 5828 S. University Ave.
Download Driving Directions and Parking Information [PDF].
Parking Information
Some parking is available along the Midway Plaisance and on the streets
near Pick Hall, however, these spots can be very difficult to find
between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Visitors may park in the East of the Quadrangles Parking,
directly across from Pick Hall. One hour costs 6$, with a maximum of
24$ for a 24-hour period. For more information about other campus
parking options, please consult the University of Chicago parking map.
Please allow an extra 30 minutes to secure a parking space.
Download Driving Directions and Parking Information [PDF].
We offer a transportation reimbursement of up to 150$ for admitted students traveling to April Campus Day. We are able to reimburse for plane, bus, train, and car mileage travel.
To claim your reimbursement, please be sure to prepare the following:
- The blue reimbursement form in your Campus Days arrival packet
- Plane/Train/Bus Fare: An original receipt or E-Ticket receipt (N.B. An itinerary is NOT acceptable.)
- Automobile Mileage: Your traveling mileage will be reimbursed at $.44/mile based on the current address in your application.
