Local Resources
Below is information collected by International Services to assist you in transitioning to life at Fermilab. We are continually expanding our selection of information and links. If you have a topic that you feel is appropriate for these pages but not yet covered, please contact us
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) is located in Batavia, Illinois. It is surrounded also by the cities of Warrenville, Saint Charles, Geneva and Aurora, and very near to Naperville, in an area of iIllinois called the Fox Valley. Fox Valley is a more rural region within Illinois. As a result of its location, Fermilab is surrounded both by smaller cities with a wide range of diverse opportunities for accommodations, food, music and entertainment and other events, as well as beautiful open lands, parks and wildlife. Fermilab is roughly 35 miles from Chicago, Illinois.
Travel Guides
Yahoo Travel Guide for Batavia, IL
Planetware Guide to Batavia, IL
Saint Charles, IL Accommodations Guide
Geneva Illinois Tourism information
Naperville Tourism Information
Accommodations
Fermilab has accommodations available for visitors, ranging from smaller rooms to larger houses, and available for shorter visits to longer stays. See our Housing Office for further information.
The neighboring communities to Fermilab have an abundance of accommodations available, including hotels, rental apartments and rental houses, as well as bed-and-breakfast and rooms-for-rent in local residents' homes. The above-listed travel guides can provide more information about such off-site housing.
In addition, the Employment Office has a Guide to Leasing Apartments in Illinois.
Car Rentals
Pilot's Leasing has an office at Fermilab, in Wilson Hall, first floor, in the Users Office. In addition, any of the travel guides listed above can provide information about off-site car rentals in the area.
Banking
U.S. Banks generally require U.S. Social Security Numbers to open accounts for individuals. Fermilab knows of three local banks that will open accounts for non-U.S. citizens lacking Social Security Numbers. Each of these banks are a short drive from Fermilab (Fermilab has no bus service).
In addition, Fermilab has one credit union onsite, in Wilson Hall on the Ground Floor: