Travel tips · Chicago · United States
Chicago travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg : John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Chicago is a big, plain-spoken Midwestern city that takes pride in its architecture, its sports teams and its neighbourhoods, many shaped by Polish, Mexican, Irish, Black, Puerto Rican and South Asian communities. People are generally friendly and direct, and loyalty to the Cubs (North Side) or White Sox (South Side) says a lot about where someone grew up.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water, drawn from Lake Michigan, is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- On escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left, especially in L stations and department stores.
- Let passengers off the L before boarding, and move into the car rather than blocking the doors.
- Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis and for hotel staff; it is a large part of service workers' pay.
- Don't ask for ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog if you want to avoid good-natured mockery.
- On the Lakefront Trail, keep to the right and stay out of the cycling lane where one is marked.
- Book Chicago Architecture Center river cruise ahead: Summer weekend and sunset sailings sell out; book a day or more ahead.
- Book Willis Tower Skydeck ahead: Queues for The Ledge can be long in summer; timed tickets bought online shorten the wait.
- Book Shedd Aquarium ahead: Buy timed tickets online; on summer weekends and school holidays the entry queue can stretch around the building.
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, the Cultural Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Garfield Park Conservatory are all free.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% of the bill at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters. Counter-service tip jars are optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The L | The CTA's elevated and subway train network |
| The Bean | Cloud Gate, the mirrored sculpture in Millennium Park |
| Pop | A soft drink |
| Gym shoes | Trainers or sneakers |
| Dragged through the garden | A hot dog with all the classic toppings |
What to wear
Dress is casual. Pack layers year-round: lake breezes can drop temperatures sharply near the water, and winter calls for a proper insulated coat, hat and gloves.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water, drawn from Lake Michigan, is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, public libraries and at O'Hare; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy.
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
The main visitor areas are busy and generally comfortable, but phone snatching and pickpocketing happen on the L and at crowded sights, so keep valuables out of sight near train doors. Swim only at beaches when lifeguards are on duty, as Lake Michigan can have dangerous currents, and in winter dress for wind chill along the lake.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Chicago?
Tip 18–20% of the bill at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters. Counter-service tip jars are optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Chicago?
Tap water, drawn from Lake Michigan, is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Chicago?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Chicago?
English.