Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States and we get more than 50 million visitors a year. For anyone keeping track at home that’s 137,000 visitors every single day. So naturally, Chicago has an almost endless supply of things to do. Activities can be the most expensive part of your trip an also the most memorable one. To help visitors save money there are several companies that offer savings discount cards and passes. The key to any of these passes is to make sure that you do in fact visit as many of the places as possible to maximize their savings. If you’re here and interested in Chicago Savings Passes then you’ll want to check out our Ultimate Chicago Budget Travel Guide.
We’ll help break down the costs and the benefits for you here so you can pick the best card for your trip to Chicago. Some passes you have to use in a day, some allow you to skip the lines and others make you choose between destinations.
….
Go Chicago Card All Inclusive Pass
For those looking for discounts for a large number of locations, The Go Chicago Card All Inclusive Pass is a great choice. This discount card offers deals to 25+ attractions discounts for a number of days. Meaning you can go to as many attractions as you want during your stay for one low price.
The Go Chicago Card is built for travelers that are planning to see a lot of popular Chicago attractions in a fairly short amount of time. Visiting and paying for those attractions individually can add up quickly and this savings pass really starts to pay for itself once you have visited more than a handful. What is really great is they include a few really popular (and not very cheap) attractions such as the Big Bus (Hop on Hop off) and an Architectural River Cruise by Shoreline.
Go Chicago Card Attractions
Go Chicago Card is the leader in the number of attractions you can visit by a wide margin. With this attraction pass, you have access to more than 25 popular Chicago attractions that include Museums, Bus Tours, Boat Tours, Segway Tours, Bike Rentals, Escape Rooms, and more! The pass will almost pay for itself by using it for the Chicago Big Bus and Shoreline River Architecture Tour. Here’s a short list of their top 10 attractions. (Full list of Chicago Go Card Attractions)
- Shedd Aquarium
- Shoreline Architecture River Cruise
- Chicago Big Bus (Hop on Hop Off)
- SkyDeck Chicago (Willis Tower)
- 360 Chicago (Hancock)
- Grand Tour (Seasonal)
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Field Museum
- Bike Rental (Navy Pier)
- Chicago Theatre Tour
How does the Chicago Go Card work?
When you purchase the Go Chicago Card you are purchasing access to ALL of the attractions that are a part of their program. You have two options for how to actually get the pass. You can print the pass out on paper or download their app and show each venue your mobile phone.
In addition to the actual pass, you’ll receive a guide to all of the attractions that include addresses, descriptions of each, a helpful map and hours of operation. It’s important to note that certain attractions are seasonal so please make sure to double check before you buy!
Go Chicago Card Pricing
The Chicago Go Card is priced based on how many days you have to use it. Buying a 1-day pass is the cheapest and the prices go up from there. Prices start at $109 for the one day all inclusive pass. The base price for the card gives you access to all of the attractions, dining and restaurant discounts for a 24 hour period. You can upgrade to 2, 3, 4 or 5 day periods with the cost increases with each additional day.
For example, let’s say you purchase a 3 day Chicago Go Card. You now have access to the 25+ attractions and tours included, and the shopping/dining discounts for a full 72 hours. After that, your card is no longer valid.
The starting price is $109, and that includes one card valid for one person, for one day. Even with only the 1 day pass at $109 you are likely going to save money, but you will be busy. A one-day itinerary might look like this:
- Chicago Big Bus ($45)
- Willis Tower SkyDeck ($24)
- Chicago Architecture River Cruise ($46)
- Shedd Aquarium ($40)
Total spent without the card $155. Total savings with Go Chicago Pass $46 (30% savings). The more tours and attractions you visit, the more you will save.
Go Chicago Card Pricing Tiers
(Prices subject to change, please see their website for most up-to-date pricing)
# of Days. Adult/Child
1 day pass $95 / $69
2 day pass $135 / $95
3 day pass $165 / $110
5 day pass $195 / $135
This is the easiest of the passes to use as each attraction can just scan a barcode from your mobile phone. The Go Chicago Card also comes with a handy guidebook that helps you keep track of all the attractions and where they’re located. The guide is a very useful tool in mapping out the path you’ll take to maximize your savings.
Determining the exact savings you’ll get from this card is hard to do because it depends on what passes and what attractions you visit. The more you visit the more you save. It’s fairly common for purchasers to save more than 50%.
….
Go Chicago Card Explorer Pass
The Go Chicago Card Explorer Pass is a variation of the all-inclusive pass but instead of unlimited visits in a short time window, you choose the number of attractions you want to visit and get 30 days to do so.
Your choices of attractions are the same as the Go Chicago Card All-Inclusive.
So you get more time to use the pass, but it’s not unlimited visits – you have to choose 3, 4 or 5 attractions and the price of the card is based on how many you choose.
Go Chicago Explorer Card Pricing Tiers
3 attractions $79 /$49 (Adult/Child)
4 attractions $104 / $69 (Adult/Child)
5 attractions $119 / $79 (Adult/Child)
….
Chicago CityPASS
The Chicago CityPASS is more like a VIP access pass to a curated assortment of attractions. One of the big draws for the CityPASS is that you’ll get line-skipping VIP entry everywhere and all “add-ons” are included which is such a nice feature. You can really spend time and explore everything they have to offer and not worry about being nickeled and dimed.
What you need to know: Chicago CityPASS gives you 9 days to use the pass and you can select up to 5 attractions from a list of 7. Recap: 5 attractions, 9 days.
Chicago CityPASS VIP Admission
Your Chicago CityPASS includes VIP admission to the following 3 attractions (note, we’re only calling out VIP admission here. You get access to 5 total attractions, these three you get expepetited entry)
- Shedd Aquarium
With the CityPASS you’re granted VIP entry here ($39.95 value), access to the 4D Experience at no extra cost ($4.95 value), allowed to see animal presentations, and are invited to partake in the Stingray Touch for free.
- Skydeck Chicago
With the CityPASS, you get fast pass admission ($49 value) that allows you to skip the at times very long lines. Regular admission to the SkyDeck is $24.
- Field Museum
With your CityPASS, you get VIP entry and an all-access pass to the rest of the museum ($38 value). These include areas such as ‘Traveling The Pacific’, which centers around life on Tropical Pacific islands, and ‘Restoring Earth’, the museums own program that focuses on natural conservation techniques and strategies to help protect our environment.
Chicago CityPASS Attractions
Now you choose between Museum of Science and Industry or 360 Chicago Observation Deck.
- Museum of Science and Industry
With the CityPASS, you get access to everywhere within the museum, and it includes a free experience in their motion simulator ride. ($33.95 value)
OR..
- 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
The CityPASS includes express entry admission that allows you to skip the lines ($18.90 value)
For you last attractions you choose between the Adler Planetarium or Art Institute of Chicago.
- Adler Planetarium
With the CityPASS, you’ll get an all-access pass ($34.95 value). However, you must choose between this, or seeing the Art Institute of Chicago when purchasing your pass.
OR…
- Art Institute of Chicago
With the CityPASS, you get fast pass admission and access to everything in the institute, including an audio guided tour. (Value $35)
Chicago CityPass Value
Visiting all of these locations would cost you over $217. The Chicago CityPASS costs $106, so you are saving $111! Purchasing a pass is simple. You can choose to print the pass at home or collect yours at the first destination that you visit.
The Conclusion
All 3 of these options deliver on their promise to save you money. Your decision will depend on what your travel style is. Do you prefer to cross as many things off your bucket list as possible (Chicago Go Card) or take it slower while enjoying every corner of the place (CityPass Chicago)? You really can’t go wrong; all these savings passes will enhance your visit to Chicago!
