Chicago

Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights

Chicago stands out as a major city in Illinois with a population of around three million people. It is known for its architecture, including iconic skyscrapers and historic buildings that showcase different styles from various eras. The city’s lakefront provides access to parks and recreational activities along Lake Michigan. Public transportation connects neighborhoods efficiently, while museums, theaters and restaurants offer cultural experiences throughout the year. Chicago also serves as a hub for business, education and sports, with teams representing multiple professional leagues.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language, and nearly everyone speaks it fluently. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in certain neighborhoods and businesses.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Chicago Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for architecture and city culture. Take river architecture cruises, visit major museums, enjoy skyline views and explore vibrant neighborhoods.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Large cities

Fine dining

Guided tours

Luxury shopping

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

💻 8

Digital Nomads

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Chicago, United States

🌨️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Architecture river cruises run roughly April to November; most tours stop in winter

Lollapalooza: early August, with heavy crowds and hotel prices around Grant Park

Christkindlmarket: late November to 24 December, at Daley Plaza

Don't miss

🏙️ Admire the skyline from the Willis Tower Skydeck
🚶‍♀️ Stroll along the scenic Chicago Riverwalk
⛴️ Take an architecture boat tour on the river
⚙️ See “The Bean” at Millennium Park
🍕 Taste deep-dish pizza at a local favorite
🎭 Watch a show at the historic Chicago Theatre

You've been here?

Why travel to Chicago?

Chicago is a dream for city lovers. The skyline is one of the most impressive in the world, the food scene is legendary (deep-dish pizza, anyone?) and the arts and music culture runs deep. You can spend days exploring the city's museums, theaters and lakefront parks. While winter can be brutally cold, the city shines in summer with festivals, open-air concerts and beaches along Lake Michigan. Just be mindful of some neighborhoods at night and prepare for unpredictable weather.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Willis Tower
This iconic skyscraper in Chicago offers breathtaking panoramic views from its observation deck. The Willis Tower stands tall against the skyline, providing a memorable experience for visitors seeking to explore the city's architectural wonders and enjoy stunning vistas.
2 The Art Institute of Chicago
This world‑class museum in Illinois showcases over 300 years of art, from Impressionist masterpieces to contemporary installations. Visitors can explore its expansive galleries and enjoy free guided tours during peak season.
3 Millennium Park
This iconic green space in Chicago's Loop features a massive steel sculpture and sweeping fountains. The surrounding area buzzes with activity, offering world-class architecture, vibrant festivals and endless photo opportunities for visitors seeking urban energy.
4 Field Museum
The Field Museum in Chicago stands as a premier natural history destination, featuring vast dinosaur halls and expansive African savanna exhibits that immerse visitors in global biodiversity through interactive displays and world-class collections.
5 Wrigley Field
A historic baseball stadium in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, featuring ivy-covered walls and a classic wooden bleacher design that draws fans to experience timeless American sports tradition every summer season.
6 Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
This interactive museum features hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and a historic train. Visitors explore science through engaging displays, including a full-scale dinosaur skeleton and an IMAX theater experience within the city's cultural district.
7 Navy Pier
This iconic pier extends into Lake Michigan, offering breathtaking views and vibrant nightlife. The historic structure features a distinctive tower and hosts various events, making it a beloved Chicago landmark for visitors and locals alike.
8 Chicago Riverwalk
This scenic stretch along the Chicago River offers stunning views of the city skyline and historic architecture. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, walk the promenade or grab a bite at riverside restaurants while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
9 Chicago Cultural Center
10 SkyDeck Chicago Willis Tower
11 Cloud Gate

🎡Places for activities

1 Promontory Point
2 Lincoln Park Zoo
3 Maggie Daley Park
4 United Center
5 Lakefront Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Garfield Park Conservatory
2 Lincoln Park
3 North Avenue Beach
4 Grant Park
5 Montrose Beach
6 Humboldt Park
7 Michigan Ave & Lake St
8 Lake Cook & Turnbull Woods (Chicago Botanic Garden)
9 Bloomingdale Trail Park

🛍️Shopping

1 The Shops at North Bridge
2 Water Tower Place
3 Magnificent Mile
4 West Randolph Street
5 Block 37 Shops
6 Chicago French Market
7 Oakbrook Center

🎈Events

Chicago Blues Festival
Lollapalooza
Taste of Chicago
Chicago Air & Water Show
St. Patrick’s Day River Dyeing
Chicago Marathon
Christkindlmarket
Chicago Jazz Festival
Grant Park Music Festival
Chicago Pride Parade

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Pack for rapidly changing weather; wind and lake breezes feel colder.
Stay around the Loop, River North or Magnificent Mile for walkable access to museums, Riverwalk, parks and transit.
Use the ‘L’ trains and walk downtown; parking is costly and traffic-heavy near major attractions and the lakefront.
Plan an architecture river cruise and explore neighborhoods like Logan Square or Pilsen for independent eateries, murals and more local nightlife.

How to travel to Chicago

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway Airport (MDW) are the main gateways. Both have train connections to downtown. Amtrak and intercity buses also connect Chicago to nearby cities.

Access summary

From O’Hare (ORD): CTA Blue Line train to downtown, about 40–45 minutes.
From Midway (MDW): CTA Orange Line train to downtown, around 25–30 minutes.
From New York City: Frequent direct flights to ORD or MDW, about 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Chicago

Downtown and the Loop are great for first-time visitors, offering easy access to attractions. The Magnificent Mile and River North are good for nightlife and shopping, while Wicker Park and Lincoln Park offer a more local vibe.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Warwick Allerton Hotel Chicago

8.0

Hotel Felix Chicago River North/Magnificent Mile

8.2

Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

9.4

Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District

8.8

Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago

8.3

The Ivy Hotel

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Chicago

The 'L' train system is the best way to get around, covering most major areas. Buses, rideshares and walking are also good options. Traffic can be heavy, so avoid driving downtown if possible.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+13 %

Daily expenses in Chicago are around 13% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£96	£197	£481
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£53	£105	£210
🍝 Food per day	£36	£85	£247
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£37
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£13
☕ Cappuccino	£4.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£12.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£115
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£25

Safety information overview

General safety

Most tourist areas are safe, but some neighborhoods should be avoided at night. Be cautious with valuables, as pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas.

Health & Medical

Chicago has excellent hospitals and pharmacies readily available. Tap water is safe to drink and food hygiene standards are high.

Accessibility

Public transport and major attractions are generally accessible. Some older buildings may lack accommodations, but newer infrastructure is wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Many public places offer water fountains and restaurants serve tap water upon request.

Packing recommendations for Chicago

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Toronto

Milwaukee

Nashville

Minneapolis

Detroit

Cleveland

Kansas City

St. Louis

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Temperature:	-6 – -1 °C
Water temp.:	4 °C
Snow:	9 cm (Regular light snow)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

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