Planning for a trip to Chicago? But, wondering how to get around the city in an easy and effective way? Well, here’s a guide to transportation in Chicago with some of the best options for getting around the city.
First of all, if you’re planning to use your own automobile to get around Chicago, then probably, you should change the whole idea immediately. I’ll tell you why — you’ll have to pay a big dollar bill each time you park your vehicle near your sightseeing destination; also, there will be heavy traffic within the city during the peak hours which can be annoying plus time and energy consuming.
If you ask me, you do not need a car at all you explore the city. Chicago has one of the best and easy public transportation facility along with many other great options to help you get around the city effectively.
Water Taxis
Believe it, you’ll simply love this!! For fast and affordable connections between the top tourist destinations in Chicago, Water Taxis are probably the perfect and easy means of transportation. Operating through 7 dock locations on the Chicago River, these rides are surely the quickest way to reach your sightseeing destinations. Check out www.chicagowatertaxi.com or www.shorelinesightseeing.com/water-taxi for more details.
Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour of Chicago
This is my favorite and I would highly recommend this mode of transportation! The best part of the Bus Tour is, they are guided tours and you get to learn a lot about the city and it’s history without paying any extra. For more details, check Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour or Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Metra Commuter Rail
Metra is your most reliable transportation for trips to Chicago suburbs. It’s an easy way to get connected to the nearby communities of Chicago. For more details click on www.metrarail.com
Other Options
– Biking – If you consider yourself fit enough, try renting a bike to explore the city at your own pace.
– Taxis – Finding a cab is typically easy in Chicago, but can get a bit pricey. Try using cab services like Lift and Uber to help you save a few dollars.
– Walking – Chicago is too big to navigate using your own feet; but, if you’re near the downtown area, you can walk around and go exploring. Just remember a thing, every 8 blocks equals to 1 mile in Chicago.
SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS
Chicago’s history and extraordinary architecture is what makes it so unique. So, don’t you wish to know how this marvelous city’s famous buildings are evolved over the years!! Explore the history and city’s storied past through these special tours that clearly explains in detail about “The Second City”. These are the tours that showcases Chicago with an amazing and different perspective which you can never see through the regular tours. Check out, here’s the list,
Chicago Crime and Mob Tour
Chicago City Tour and Chicago River Cruise
Chicago Architectural River Cruise – Most Recommended
Lake Michigan Sightseeing Cruise
Lake Michigan and Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Speedboat
Chicago 3D Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan
Chicago Fireworks Sail
An Important Recommendation – You can book the Chicago CityPass or the Chicago Explorer Pass that includes prepaid tickets for few of the above mentioned Tours and Transportation along with prepaid tickets to most of the sightseeing destinations. Purchasing any of these passes would help you save a lot of money in tickets.
17 comments
These are very helpful tips! Would love to visit Chicago if I’d be given the chance 🙂
Thanks for this! Would recommend this to my friends currently out there nearby Chicago!
Argh! I wanna visit Chicago too. There’s still zero chances of going on a trip abroad. But hopefully someday 🙂
Love how informative this post is! Would take note of your tips. Hopefully I can visit Chicago soon.
What a useful guide for people who want to visit Chicago! 🙂
I hope someday we maybe fortunate enough to visit this city and discover what it has to offer. 🙂
Great post!
Thanks for your advise in taking the public transport to explore the place. It is also an interesting part that you’ve mentioned the city tour and some packages. It will help tourists to decide when they’re planning to visit the place.
I like the other options 🙂
I hate walking, but oddly, when traveling, I don’t mind walking. Biking would also be fun, but it won’t be easy if you do not know your way around so yeah, that leaves me to go back to walking. Lol. The Bus Tour is also convenient – a lot of cities in countries frequented by travelers are already doing these city bus tours.
I would love to tour in Chicage someday but I have to explore my own native land first.
These tips are great for people traveling to Chicago soon! Wish I can go here someday too! I’ve seen photos of the city and they’re beautiful! 🙂
xx, Wandering Ella
I personally love Hop On Hop off Tours! It gives me freedom to go around the area at such a low cost!
Great post! I’ve always wanted to visit Chicago since my dad went for a business trip years ago!
-Marie
http://www.thatdarlinmarie.com
Awesome! I hope I’ll visit it soon!
Alexandra ~ ArtMandy
Water taxis remind me of Venice!
I’m dying to visit chicago sooo bad! and jump in a water taxi, YAH!
xo
Maca
http://www.heymaca.ca
I would love to visit Chicago!
I’ll make sure to come here if I go one day!
xo, Margot from The Pastel Project
I missed the days where I lived in downtown Chicago, I live in the suburbs now, but I don’t go downtown enough! 🙁
Love the water taxis! it is such a unique experience.