Famously called the Windy City, Chicago is a world-renowned metropolitan area with great food, attractions, and people! In 2016, nearly 54 million visitors, both from the US and abroad, visited this magnificent city. Whether you’re here for business or for pleasure, Chicago has something for lovers of culture, art, music, food, and sightseeing. The third largest city in the USA, Chicago is also home to many world-famous museums and parks, including Lincoln Park, Museum Campus, and the Art Institute of Chicago. However, many people assume that traveling to Chicago is an expensive venture. This is not the case at all! There are quite a few ways to save money while visiting Chicago, enjoying the scenery while not spending a fortune.

Lodging

Often your lodging will be the most expensive part of your trip, but that shouldn’t stop you from spending time in the Windy City! Booking in advance can help save money by searching for good deals ahead of time, as well as using services like Airbnb to find unique, independently owned places that may be cheaper, as well as closer, to the areas that you want to visit. For young backpackers and students, hostels are also a good idea for a cheap stay. Believe it or not, Chicago has an incredible selection of hostels available.

The time of year also is a factor that can drive up the costs. Between Thanksgiving and New Years, and the summer months when children are out of school will be the most expensive parts of the year for travel and lodging, so if at all possible, plan to take a trip in either October or March when hotels are less crowded and their rooms more affordable.

Here is how you have to think about it:

Hotels – Tend to be located in the most convenient spots – walkable to many restaurants, bars, and attractions. They have a full-service staff that can answer questions and you’re welcome to check in 24hr/day. For an extra fee, you can park on site. Typically they’ll have restaurants and bars in the hotel. High scores for convenience. If you didn’t want to you probably wouldn’t have to leave the hotel. They cost the most but offer the most amenities.

Airbnb – By far the most options. Entire homes, rent a room and everything in between. You can find a spot in virtually every neighborhood too. We love the fact that in most cases you’ll have access to a full kitchen which can help save money by cooking a breakfast or dinner in one night. There is also something charming about being set in a residential neighborhood. It’s a much more “local” feel.

Hostels – Very underrated! We swear these are more like hotels than hostels. We love the vibe of these places and how they go out of their way to make sure your agenda is full. It’s more of a community feel than any of the other options. Often times they’ll organize tours for their guests, bar crawls and other events. If you’re the social type consider checking out on of Chicago’s hostels, you won’t regret it.

Transportation

Transportation can add up, but it doesn’t have to. While obviously, you could drive yourself around Chicago, it is a very dense city where parking is often limited and expensive in its own right. With a population of almost three million people, adding another car on the road can be quite a headache. For that of you that do brave it and drive yourself make sure to check out SpotHero to save money on parking.

Instead, consider using ridesharing apps such as Lyft and Uber, especially as these local drivers might even help you find cool spots that are off the beaten path. If Lyft and Uber aren’t your cups of tea you can always check out VIA. Rather than go right to your location, there are drop-off and pick-up areas where multiple passengers can be picked up at the same time, acting almost like a faster bus service. VIA charges a flat rate, as opposed to a ‘per mile’ transaction, which may be cheaper, in the long run, depending on where you want to go in Chicago.

If you are more green-minded and don’t mind a bit of exercise, Divvy Bikes is Chicago’s bike-sharing program. The bike-sharing service is great for those who are looking to bike through Chicago’s popular parks and other green areas. Chicago is a very bike-friendly city as well, with 111 miles of dedicated bike lanes and 27 miles of shared lanes within the city. On top of being affordable, Divvy also allows for a very hands-on experience of Chicago.

However, biking may not be practical if your lodging happens to be quite a distance away from the sightseeing and culture centers, and an Uber or Lyft ride could be expensive in this case as well.

Lucky for you, Chicago boasts an expansive public transportation network, with their elevated train, affectionately called “The L”, and other subway networks crisscrossing under Chicago. The city has a bus system as well. All options are affordable and give you a chance to see Chicago like a local.

And of course, the cheapest and most available option for you is to walk! If you happen to get a hotel close to the attractions you want to visit, walking is both extraordinarily cheap and allows for an up-close-and-personal experience with Chicago’s world-famous architecture.

Food

Chicago has an incredible food scene. You’ll be able to find something that fits your budget and your appetite almost regardless of where you’re at in Chicago. But with so many options it can be daunting to find the off-the-beaten-path restaurant on a budget. We’ve compiled a list of our Favorite Chicago Lunch Specials Under $10.

For something a little more out of the box, you can always visit one of Chicago’s many indoor or outdoor markets as well. These markets have food vendors from all over the city and the world serving their favorite dishes.

Groupon is another tactic that you can use to help save some money. Groupon is a Chicago-based company that connects visitors like yourself to a variety of local restaurants by offering discounts on meals.

Attractions

There are many attractions in Chicago, and more than a few are affordable. We’ve listed some of our favorite tours in Chicago (that aren’t our tours of course!) If you only want to hit the highlights, consider getting the Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card. These cards charge an upfront for entrance into a large number of attractions. If you’re determined to hit more than a handful of Chicago’s most popular attractions then you’ll definitely want to check them out.

But what if you’re on a real shoe-string budget? Not really a problem, there’s a ton of Free Things to do in Chicago. And let’s say that you have stumbled across this page and it’s snowing outside? No problem, here is our list of the best free things to do in Chicago that are indoors.

 

 

 

And can we really publish a list of free and cheap attractions without mentioning us? (Shameless plug warning) Free Chicago Walking Tours offers free 2-hour guided walking tours of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods! Spots are limited, so make sure you reserve online in advance. Tours run April through October.

There are many great attractions and experiences to be had in Chicago! The biggest and best way to save on a trip to Chicago is to simply plan ahead. With so many free events, exhibits, and attractions, you can have the whole Chicago experience on a dime. If you time your trip right, there is a whole plethora of attractions, sightseeing opportunities, and experiences to have while in Chicago, without breaking open that piggy bank. So start booking ahead, and we hope you enjoy your stay!