Travel
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana (126 miles southeast of Chicago, 65 miles north of Indianapolis). To get to campus, most people first fly to Chicago or Indianapolis and then travel to Lafayette/West Lafayette by bus/shuttle.
Air travel
- Flights to Chicago
- Flights to Indianapolis
Many international students prefer to fly to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), about 2.5 hours from campus, as it’s the largest airport nearby and has many international flights. If you choose to fly to Indianapolis (IND) it is just an hour away and is usually a better, more convenient, option for regional flights.
- Flights to Purdue University Airport (LAF)
Purdue University Airport has returned to commercial air service, offering a convenient local gateway for international and domestic travel and a primary alternative to the 2.5 hour drive to Chicago O’Hare (ORD). It is operated by SkyWest Airlines as United Express and provides nonstop flights to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), offering seamless connections to over 240 global destinations through the United Airlines network.
Prior to travel, go through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checklist to avoid unfortunate incidences: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist. Also, be sure that you are carrying your required visa documents (e.g. DS-2019 form for J1 visa holders and I-20 for F1 visa holders).
Shuttle services
Regular shuttle services are provided from both the Indianapolis airport (approximately every 2 hours during the day) and the Chicago O’Hare airport (every 3 hours during the day). For the shuttle service schedule, rates, and reservations, please use their websites, which also explain the pick-up and drop-off locations:
- Lafayette Limo
http://www.lafayettelimo.com/ - Reindeer Shuttle
http://reindeershuttle.com/ - FlixBus
https://www.flixbus.com/bus - provides affordable intercity bus service from downtown Lafayette (near the CityBus Center) to Chicago and Indianapolis. They are a budget-friendly option for students traveling between cities.
Bicycle loans
SLCF International loans out bikes for a deposit of $50-100, which is fully refundable if the bike is returned back in good condition.