Travelling to Indianapolis
The closest airport to the wedding is the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). Direct flights are available from many major US cities. Although there are some direct flights to Indianapolis from Europe, these are seasonal, expensive, and only serve Paris. Travelers arriving from Europe are likely to need a layover in a larger North American city: Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Toronto (YYZ), Detroit (DTW), and Atlanta (ATL) are common options that will minimize travel time.
Alternatively, consider flying to Chicago (ORD) and using ground transportation to reach Indianapolis: although this will take longer, it is usually considerably cheaper. If you choose to use ground transportation rather than flying, we particularly recommend taking some time to explore Chicago: it is a wonderful city to visit in the summer!
International guests are reminded to check their visa requirements to enter the USA: British citizens require an ESTA-type visa, which you should apply for well in advance. Also remember to check COVID-19 entry and return requirements, which can change frequently.
Getting from Chicago to Indianapolis
If you choose to fly to Chicago and take ground transportation to Indianapolis, these are your options:
By Car
Cars are available to rent from the Chicago O'Hare (ORD) airport. The drive to Indianapolis will take 3-4 hours depending on traffic and is almost entirely on freeways/ motorways. Foreign visitors are allowed to drive on their foreign licenses for up to 3 months. Remember that you drive on the right in the US!
This is the option Victoria and Luke take when they visit the US, as it balances speed, convenience, and cost. It is also particularly ideal in the COVID era, as it reduces time spent sharing space with strangers. Having a car will also be beneficial for the wedding, as public transportation options in Indianapolis are limited.
By Coach
A cheaper option than renting a car is to take a coach. Coaches run from Chicago to Indianapolis several times per day, and the drive takes 3-4 hours. Coaches leave from several stations in downtown Chicago — a taxi (20-40 minutes) will be required to reach the coach stops from the airport. The coach will drop you in downtown Indianapolis, a reasonable walk or short taxi ride from downtown hotels and the reception venue.
It is possible to take a direct coach to Indianapolis, so avoid tickets that require a change. Also check luggage limits, which may be significantly lower than the flight you arrived on. Coach carriers include Greyhound, Megabus, Amtrak, and Miller: tickets can be purchased online in advance.
By Rail
Another cheaper option, although also the slowest, is to take a train. Only one train runs from Chicago to Indianapolis each day, departing at approximately 6pm and taking 5 hours. Trains leave from Chicago's Union Station, a 20-40 minute taxi ride from the airport. The train will drop you in downtown Indianapolis, a reasonable walk or short taxi ride from downtown hotels and the reception venue.
Remember to check luggage limits, which may be significantly lower than the flight you arrived on. The only trains that run this route are Amtrak: tickets can be purchased online in advance. The Amtrak search will show you coach options as well, so make sure to look for the train routes.