Calculate your savings with our pass advisor!
Since our Chicago Pass comparison was so well reviewed, we decided to answer the question “Which Chicago Pass is the best?” even faster: with our free Chicago Pass Advisor! You can easily find out which of the various Chicago Passes is the best for you here.
Simply select the tours and sights in Chicago that you want to do or see. Our savings calculator will then work out for you which discount pass will save you the most!
My tips for choosing your Chicago Pass
Choosing the right Chicago Sightseeing Pass is an important decision, as it depends heavily on the duration of your trip and the type of traveller you are. In this article, I’ll show you the most important factors that can influence your choice.
I have tested various Chicago Passes myself – our experiences have been incorporated into the Chicago Pass Advisor, as we have been following the topic of discount passes for years.
Here are the most important criteria for finding the perfect sightseeing pass for Chicago:
1. What type of traveller are you?
This question has a big impact on the right Chicago Pass. Some visitors plan their desired attractions and tours on fixed and consecutive days. In this case, the day-based Chicago All-Inclusive Pass is ideal. You can visit as many attractions as you want or can manage for a fixed price.
Others plan to visit the attractions on several days, with days without sightseeing in between. This is where attraction-based passes such as the Chicago Explorer Pass, the Chicago CityPASS, the Chicago C3 Pass, the Chicago Digital Pass and the Skyline Pass from Tiqets are ideal.
2. How long will you be in Chicago?
The longer you are in Chicago, the more you can see and do. Passes like the Chicago Pass and the Explorer Pass are ideal if you want to see a lot of sights in a shorter amount of time.
3. How many sights and tours do you want to see?
This will determine which Chicago Pass is most worthwhile. For a few attractions single tickets might be better, for more attractions the sightseeing passes are a good choice.
4. Do you want to use the hop-on hop-off buses?
The hop-on hop-off bus tours are a popular way to explore Chicago. However, they are only included with the Chicago All-Inclusive Pass and the Chicago Explorer Pass.
5. When are you in Chicago?
Weather and time of travel will affect your pass selection, as some outdoor activities are seasonal.
6. Who are you traveling to Chicago with?
If you are traveling with children or don’t want to walk much, tours by boat or hop-on hop-off buses are a good addition to your itinerary. This narrows down the choice – you can see this at a glance here in my detailed comparison of Chicago sightseeing passes or by simply trying out the savings calculator at the top of this page!
