Chicago Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

Chicago is sometimes overlooked, but in spite of that it’s one of the world’s great cities and very worth a visit. It’s classic America combined with an amazing combination of recent foreign influences.

Chicago City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Chicago

Population 2,800,000
Area 9,800,000
Timezone UTC-6
Currency US dollar
Airports O\'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$115.2
1 USD = 1 USD
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Chicago

Chicago Hotel Seasons

Chicago Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar65.00 - 78.00
starstarstarstarstar130.00 - 160.00
starstarstarstarstar156.00 - 285.00
starstarstarstarstar163.00 - 332.00
starstarstarstarstar307.00 - 614.00

Chicago Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed25.00 - 42.00

Chicago Attractions Prices

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Art Institute of ChicagoOne of America's finest and most famous museums is worth a visit.
adults
students
seniors
32.00
26.00
26.00
Field Museum of Natural HistoryThis is one of three great museums on one campus by the river.
adults
children
30.00
23.00
Willis (Sears) Tower SkydeckRide an elevator up to the observation deck on the country's tallest building.
adults
ages 3-11
32.00
24.00

Chicago Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastDepending on location you might have cheap coffee shops nearby or almost nothing. 7.00 - 10.00
Budget lunchPlenty of great ethnic meals and even good fast food options are available if you seek them out here.8.00 - 12.00
Budget dinnerAgain, plenty of great budget options if you seek them out. Hotels in the main district can be pricey.11.00 - 16.00
Beer (pint)Domestic beers are often on good specials in neighborhood bars. Trendy places will be more expensive.5.00 - 8.00
Cocktails (glass)Prices for mixed drinks can vary widely, depending on the type of place.6.00 - 10.00
Deep dish Chicago pizza (large)Pizzeria Uno is the most famous place serving these filling and unique pizzas.28.00 - 35.00

Chicago Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from ORD airport to city center30.00 - 40.00
Shuttle van from airport to city center15.00 - 25.00
Metro from airport to city center2.00 - 5.00
3km taxi ride in Chicago8.00 - 11.00
Bus or metro ride in Chicago2.00 - 2.00
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When to visit Chicago

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January31162.0
February36211.8
March47312.8
April59403.8
May71513.9
June81614.2
July85663.8
August82653.9
September75573.5
October63452.8
November48343.2
December36222.8

Chicago Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar6:52am7:04pm
21 Jun5:16am8:29pm
21 Sep6:37am6:50pm
21 Dec7:15am4:23pm

Where to go before and after