Travel tips for Chicago
Everything you need to know before visiting Chicago and the surrounding region — money, transport, taxes and when to go.
Planning essentials
Visas, budgets, packing, eSIMs and the cultural etiquette worth knowing before you land.
Getting around
O'Hare and Midway as the main gateways, and why the L covers the Loop, the North Side and the neighborhoods best.
When to go
A warm, humid summer from June to September and a cold, snowy winter from December to February, when the lake effect sharpens the chill. Month-by-month guides to what to expect.
Good to know about planning a trip to Chicago
gov. 25%, among the highest in the country, and hotel stays carry an additional lodging tax that pushes the total closer to 17%. Getting around is where the real planning sits: the L covers the city well, with a Ventra card working across trains, buses and Divvy bikes, and O'Hare connects directly to the Loop on the Blue Line in about forty-five minutes, while Midway connects via the Orange Line in about twenty-five. Metra's suburban trains reach Oak Park, Naperville and beyond for day trips.
Weather shapes the trip more than in milder destinations: winters are cold and snowy with lake-effect winds off Lake Michigan, sometimes dropping to -10°C, while summers are hot and humid around 30°C with the occasional storm - late May through early June and September through October are the most comfortable windows, and river cruises and outdoor patios generally close from November to March. The emergency number is 911, and the legal drinking age is 21 with identification checked routinely. Tap water is safe and drinks perfectly well straight from the tap. Driving is on the right.
Tipping is expected in restaurants, typically 18-20%, plus a dollar or two per drink at the bar and a couple of dollars per night for housekeeping. Bargaining isn't expected anywhere - prices in shops, restaurants and markets are fixed.
Frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Chicago
Do I need a visa to visit Chicago?
Most visitors from visa-waiver countries don't need a visa, but they do need an ESTA approved before departure, requested only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and checked against passport validity for the whole trip. Requirements can change, so confirm the current rule for your own passport well ahead of booking.
What currency should I bring, and do I need cash?
The US dollar is the only currency used, and prices are shown before tax, with sales tax of around 10.25% added at the till. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keeping a little cash on hand helps for tips and smaller stalls.
How do I get around Chicago without a rental car?
The L's eight color lines and a Ventra card cover almost everything in the city, from downtown to Wrigleyville and Hyde Park, and both airports connect directly by train, so a car generally isn't needed for a city-only stay.
When is the best time to visit, weather-wise?
Late May through early June and September through October offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winters run cold and snowy with wind off the lake, and summers turn hot and humid, so packing for the season matters more here than in milder cities.
Is tap water safe to drink, and what plugs do I need?
Tap water across Chicago is safe to drink straight from the tap, including in hotel rooms, so bottled water isn't necessary. Outlets use standard US plugs, so visitors from outside North America will need an adapter.
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