Budget · Chicago · United States
Chicago on a budget
What a trip to Chicago really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Chicago is expensive for most international visitors. Budget roughly $100–$160 per person per day on a tight budget, $250–$400 mid-range and $600–$1,500 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in January.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $100–$160 a day
- Mid-range
- $250–$400 a day
- Luxury
- $600–$1,500 a day
- Local currency
- USD
- Free sights
- 9
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $100–$160 | $300–$480 | $500–$800 | $700–$1,120 |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | $750–$1,200 | $1,250–$2,000 | $1,750–$2,800 |
| Luxury | $600–$1,500 | $1,800–$4,500 | $3,000–$7,500 | $4,200–$10,500 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Chicago, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| L train ride | about $2.50 |
| Chicago-style hot dog | about $4–$7 |
| Italian beef sandwich | about $10–$14 |
| Deep-dish pizza for two | about $30–$45 |
| Art Institute adult ticket (non-resident) | about $30–$35 |
| Architecture river cruise | about $50–$60 |
| Pint of local beer | about $7–$10 |
| Mid-range downtown hotel | about $180–$320 per night |
Money-saving tips
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, the Cultural Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Garfield Park Conservatory are all free.
- The Grant Park Music Festival puts on free classical concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion on summer evenings; bring a picnic for the lawn.
- A multi-day CTA pass pays off quickly if you ride the L several times a day, and the Blue Line from O'Hare costs far less than a taxi.
- Hotel rates spike during large conventions at McCormick Place and around Lollapalooza and marathon weekends; check the dates before you book.
- Loop business hotels are often cheaper at weekends than on weekdays.
- Budget for sales tax of over 10% plus an 18–20% tip on top of restaurant menu prices.
Free things to do
- Millennium Park and Cloud Gate — Chicago's showpiece park holds Anish Kapoor's mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture (universally called the Bean), the Crown Fountain's two glass-block towers that show the faces of Chicagoans and spout water in summer, Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden.
- Navy Pier — Opened in 1916, the kilometre-long pier juts into Lake Michigan with the 60-metre Centennial Wheel, the Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and docks for lake cruises and speedboat rides.
- Lincoln Park Zoo — Founded in 1868 and still free, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in North America.
- Chicago Riverwalk — The Riverwalk runs about 2 km along the south bank of the river's main branch, from the lakefront to Lake Street, with wine bars, floating wetland gardens, kayak rentals and the docks for architecture cruises and water taxis.
- The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail) — This 4.3-km elevated trail on a former freight line links Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square, with access ramps every few blocks.
- Chicago Cultural Center — Built in 1897 as the city's first central public library, the Cultural Center holds what is described as the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall, a second glass dome by Healy and Millet, mosaic-lined staircases and free exhibitions and concerts.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for budget, solo travellers, nightlife and shopping
Wicker Park and Bucktown
Vintage shops, record stores, music venues and The 606 trail on the Blue Line
$$ · Best for culture, quiet stays and budget
Hyde Park
University of Chicago quads, Robie House and the Museum of Science and Industry
Eating well for less
- Chicago-style hot dog — Portillo's branches including River North, Superdawg on the Northwest Side and hot-dog stands across the city.
- Maxwell Street Polish — Jim's Original near the University of Illinois Chicago campus, and grill stands across the South and West sides.
- Garrett Popcorn Chicago Mix — Garrett Popcorn shops on and around the Magnificent Mile and in the Loop; queues form on weekends.
Getting around for less
CTA Ventra passes
1-day, 3-day and 7-day passes give unlimited L and bus rides; buy them in the Ventra app or from machines at L stations.
Chicago CityPASS
Bundles entry to several headline attractions, such as the Shedd Aquarium and the Skydeck; it saves money only if you visit most of them.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Chicago cost?
About $1,250–$2,000 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $500–$800 on a tight budget.
+Is Chicago expensive?
It is expensive for international visitors. Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, the Cultural Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Garfield Park Conservatory are all free.
+How much money do I need per day in Chicago?
Roughly $100–$160 on a budget and $250–$400 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Chicago?
Usually in January.