Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour with 11 Stops
- Duration24 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This hop-on hop-off open-top bus lets you see Chicago at your own pace, stepping off at any of 11 stops near Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and the Museum Campus. Audio commentary explains the sights as you ride, and the options range from a 24-hour ticket to longer passes with digital walking tours, an architecture boat trip or a South Side shuttle. It is a ticket rather than a private tour, and it suits families and first-time visitors.
Highlights
- Open-top double-decker bus with 11 stops around downtown Chicago
- Hop off at Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and the Museum Campus
- Audio commentary and earbuds for the ride
- Choose 24, 48 or 72 hours of travel, with extras depending on the option
- Digital walking tours with longer tickets, and an option with an architecture boat cruise
- Mobile ticket and live bus tracking so you can plan your day easily
Full Description
Willis Tower and the Loop
Willis Tower is the 110-storey skyscraper in the Loop that was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 1973 as the Sears Tower. Its Skydeck on the 103rd floor has glass ledges that extend out from the building, a popular attraction for anyone looking for the best views of Chicago. The bus takes you through the Loop, where elevated trains run on tracks above the streets, giving the district its name.
Hop off here to visit the Skydeck (entry to attractions is not included in the bus ticket) or to walk around the historic office buildings and the riverfront. If you are planning a Willis Tower visit, going early in the day usually means shorter queues.
Navy Pier and Lake Michigan
Navy Pier reaches about 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan and has been a public entertainment destination since 1916. Today it offers the Centennial Wheel, gardens, shops, a stained-glass museum and boat departures. The pier is one of the most popular places for families to spend an afternoon.
The bus stops close to the pier so you can jump off for a walk along the lakefront, look back at the skyline and choose whether to try a boat ride. If you are wondering how to get to Navy Pier from downtown, the hop-on hop-off bus is one easy option, especially if you are already using the ticket for the day.
The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park
The Magnificent Mile is the stretch of Michigan Avenue north of the river, lined with department stores, boutiques and historic buildings such as the Tribune Tower and the Water Tower. It is the city's best-known shopping street and is also full of restaurants and hotels.
Millennium Park, further south, is home to Cloud Gate, the mirror-like sculpture nicknamed the Bean, along with Crown Fountain and the Pritzker Pavilion. The park is free to enter. Ride the bus to see both areas and choose the stops that fit your plans; many visitors save an hour for a photograph at the Bean.
Museum Campus and Grant Park
The Museum Campus on the lakefront holds the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Nearby Grant Park has Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest ornamental fountains in the world, built in 1927.
The bus passes these lakefront sights and lets you decide which museum to visit. If you have a 48 or 72 hour ticket you can spread these visits over several days. The longer passes also include digital walking tours; the 72 hour option in the booking panel adds a shuttle to the city's South Side.
Itinerary
- Choose your first stopBoard at any of the 11 stops after activating your mobile ticket.
- Ride the loop with commentaryListen to the audio guide as the bus travels past the main landmarks of downtown Chicago.
- Hop off where you likeGet off at Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park or the Museum Campus.
- Hop on the next busUse the live tracking to see when the next bus arrives and continue around the route.
- Use your extrasDepending on your option, follow the digital walking tours, take the South Side shuttle or join the architecture boat trip.
- Finish when your ticket endsYour ticket is valid for the chosen number of hours from first use.
What's included
- 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket
- Open-top double-decker bus
- Digital commentary for all ages
- Souvenir earbuds
- Free mobile app for ticket storage, live bus tracking and ticket activation
Not included
- Admission to attractions
- Self-guided digital walking tours
- South Side and Presidential Center shuttle
- Architecture boat tour
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- First-time visitors who want the highlights
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 1 days
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Guests who need to enter attractions without paying separately; admission is not included
- Travellers who want a fixed guided tour with a live guide
Meeting point
There is no fixed meeting point. You can board at any of the 11 stops on the route, and the stop locations and bus times are available after booking. Hotel pickup is not included. Your ticket is activated the first time you use it and stays valid for the number of hours you have chosen.
Important information
- Tickets are valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use, depending on the option.
- Admission to attractions, food and drink and hotel transfers are not included.
- Options differ: the 72 hour ticket adds digital walking tours and a South Side shuttle; the 48 hour boat option adds an architecture boat tour.
- The buses are open-top, so bring a jacket and sunscreen.
- Bus frequency and operating hours change by season.
- Keep your mobile ticket ready to show at boarding.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Chicago hop-on hop-off bus ticket cost?
The price depends on the option and the number of guests. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children, so you can compare them before you book.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ in length and extras: a 24-hour ticket, a 48-hour ticket with digital walking tours, a 72-hour ticket with walking tours and a South Side shuttle, and a 48-hour ticket with an architecture boat tour.
How many stops are there?
There are 11 stops around downtown Chicago, including Willis Tower, Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. This is a hop-on hop-off ticket, so you board at any stop on the route.
Are attraction tickets included?
No. Admission to places such as the Skydeck, the museums and Navy Pier attractions is not included.
Is the bus suitable for children?
Yes. Children enjoy the open top and the hop-on hop-off flexibility. Use the child ticket where it applies.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, a jacket or sunscreen depending on the weather, and your phone with the mobile ticket.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes. Choose your start date in the booking panel and activate the ticket on your first ride.
How long does a full loop take?
Times depend on traffic and season, and the trip takes much longer once you hop off to visit places. Plan your day around the stops you most want to see; current bus times are shown after booking.
Is the Chicago hop-on hop-off bus worth it?
Yes, if you want to see the city's main areas at your own pace without arranging transport between them.
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