Major city · United States
MarionMarion, Illinois
Skip Marion unless you need a stop on I-57 or are visiting Crab Orchard Lake. Half a day covers the clock tower and wildlife refuge; one night if you're driving through.
Marion is a small city in Southern Illinois best known as a gateway to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and Lake of Egypt. Its downtown clock tower and minor-league baseball park are quick stops. Most travellers pass through on I-57 without staying overnight.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some attractions close)
- Airport
- MWA
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Marion911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Marion Police (non-emergency)618-993-2124
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Marion, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMarion is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 618-993-2124 Marion Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (Cape Air from St.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner (sit-down, per person)$15–30
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich or burger)$8–14
- BeerBeer (domestic pint)$4–6
- Budget bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (Cape Air from St. Louis; limited schedule, check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marion: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The city is spread out along IL-13 and IL-148; no public transit connects the refuge or lake.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: 15 min
Drive west on IL-148, about 10 min
Visitor centre, hiking, boating; $5 per vehicle entry fee.
Lake of Egypt
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive south on IL-37, about 15 min
Boating and fishing; no public swimming beach.
Carbondale
goDoor to door: 25 min
Drive west on IL-13, about 20 min
Southern Illinois University campus, restaurants and nightlife.
Garden of the Gods
goDoor to door: 1 h
Drive east on IL-13 then north, about 45 min
Rock formations and hiking in Shawnee National Forest.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
West Main Street (I-57 corridor)
Chain motels and hotels near the interstate; convenient for a one-night stop.
Downtown Marion
Fewer options, closer to the clock tower and local restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–140 excl. bed
- High
- $140+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Crab Orchard refuge vehicle entry1 × US$5 · check | US$5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$33 |
| Trip total≈ US$179 per person per day, bed included | US$358 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch (sandwich or burger) | $8–14 |
| Dinner (sit-down, per person) | $15–30 |
| Beer (domestic pint) | $4–6 |
| Gasoline (per gallon)check | $3.00–3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crab Orchard refuge charges a vehicle entry fee ($5 per vehicle, check).
- Lake of Egypt has no public swimming beaches; access is through private marinas and campgrounds.
- Veterans Airport has limited flights and hours; confirm your flight before planning around it.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- Marion Police (non-emergency)
- 618-993-2124
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MarionMarion, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Marion Police (non-emergency)618-993-2124
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Veterans Airport to downtown: about $25–35 by taxi, 10 min
- I-57 exit to Crab Orchard refuge: about 10 min drive
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (where is the restroom)
English is universal; no local phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Marion. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some attractions close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Crab Orchard refuge (hours, fees, trails) and Lake of Egypt marinas.
- Eat pages for local barbecue and catfish spots.
- Seasonal closure data for the refuge and lake.
Sources
Ask about Marion
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