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Want to make the most out of your Chicago trip and your budget? Find attraction passes and packages offering discounts on top attractions, tours, museums, activities, and more.

Save 48% or more on admission to 5 must-see attractions with Chicago CityPASS. Buy convenient mobile tickets in one simple purchase, and enjoy ample time at each attraction with 9-day validity. CityPASS also offers a reservations portal to help plan your visits.

Chicago CityPASS includes admission to:

• Shedd Aquarium
• Skydeck Chicago

Plus your choice of admission to 3 of the following attractions:

• Field Museum
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
• 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
• Adler Planetarium
• Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

Adults, $139 (value $269) Child ages 3-11, $109 (value $221)

Chicago C3 by CityPASS

Save up to 29% on admission to your choice of 3 top attractions with Chicago C3® tickets—great for a shorter stay. Enjoy ample time at each attraction with 9-day validity.

Chicago C3 tickets include admission to 3 of the following attractions.

• Art Institute of Chicago.
• Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier

Adult $102 Child, ages 3-11 $76 Save up to 29%

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CTA and Pace Announce New Integrated, Unlimited-Ride Passes

Beginning February 20, travel on region’s public transit systems is easier than ever, with new purchases of all unlimited-ride passes accepted across CTA and Pace

Traveling throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs will soon be easier and more affordable than ever. Beginning Monday, February 20, all newly purchased passes, including 1-Day and 3-Day unlimited-ride passes will be accepted on Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and now Pace Suburban Bus.

These enhancements build on the 7-Day and 30-Day pass price reductions and free transfers between CTA services that launched in fall 2021 and the new Regional Connect Pass launched in summer 2022. These new pass integrations are intended to make regional transit trips easier by offering seamless interconnectivity between the CTA and Pace, and in some cases, even making travel more affordable than before.

"Now more than ever, it’s vital we seek out new opportunities to eliminate the hurdles of taking public transit and allow Chicagoans and visitors alike to travel seamlessly throughout the region,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Public transit is the equity equalizer, and with these changes we are opening more doors and allowing anyone to get to farthest corners of our region for one low-price.”

One of the biggest benefits of this new agreement between CTA and Pace is that 1- and 3-Day passes will be valid for use on both systems at current prices. Additionally, the $5 surcharge on the former CTA-Pace 7-Day pass has been removed – meaning riders will get more mileage for their buck when using the new 7-Day pass ($20) across the two systems. All passes are available for purchase through the Ventra fare collection system.

“These changes improve access and provide customers with better fare payment options, flexibility, and lower fares. Pace is excited to continue our commitment with the other transit boards to offer fare products that ensure regional connectivity and affordability for our riders,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.

All unlimited-ride passes, which will also be accepted across both transit systems, will maintain current pass pricing: 1-Day ($5), 3-Day ($15), 7-Day ($20) and 30-Day ($75).

These changes in fare payments are the result of two recently approved intergovernmental agreements between CTA and Pace. These agreements expand the relationship between the two agencies to accept additional passes on each other’s systems as well as streamline the revenue share for the passes based on shared pass ridership on each system.

In early 2022, all three regional transit systems – CTA, Metra and Pace – introduced the new Regional Connect Pass, which when coupled with Metra’s new “Super Saver” monthly pass, provides Chicago area residents unlimited rides on all three systems – at a reduced cost and with greater flexibility. Last year, the CTA lowered the cost of all its unlimited-ride passes and made transfers between CTA services free. Pace joined CTA to lower fares on shared, unlimited-ride passes. In addition, Pace has implemented a reduced fare structure for part-time users of their Vanpool Program and will eliminate or reduce transfer costs between Pace services on February 20.

Importantly, all enhancements apply to new pass purchases beginning February 20, 2023.

Information for Customers with Existing Unlimited Ride Passes:

Customers with Activated 1, 3, or 7-Day Passes: Customers who purchased CTA-only 1-, 3- and 7-Day unlimited-ride passes prior to February 20, cannot use these passes to travel on Pace. Only unlimited-ride passes purchased on or after February 20, 2023, can be used for travel across both transit systems. CTA and Pace are unable to provide partial refunds for previously purchased and active passes, including the $5 surcharge on a previously purchased CTA/Pace 7-Day Pass.

Customers with Non-Activated 1, 3, or 7-Day Passes:  Any CTA and Pace customers who purchased 1-, 3-, or 7-Day pass on their Ventra accounts prior to February 20 that are not yet activated for use can have it converted into transit value, which can then be used towards the purchase of a new shared pass eligible for use in traveling on CTA and Pace. Customers can contact Ventra Customer Service (1.877.669.8368) to convert these passes into Transit Value. No cash refunds will be offered or issued.

Chicago CityPASS

How the chicago citypass works.

The Chicago CityPASS, as noted above, is a booklet of tickets. Once you receive the booklet, you simply present it at the designated admission line at each attraction (sometimes this is the general admission line, and sometimes it’s a special priority entry line, as with Shedd Aquarium). 

The attraction will tear out the relevant ticket (or scan it) and let you in. That’s it! All you need to do is hold onto your ticket booklet and make sure you don’t lose it. You have nine full days once you visit the first attraction to visit the other four. And, the booklet also comes with discounts to the either/or attractions so you can choose one and still save money on the other. 

You can purchase the ticket booklet directly from CityPASS or at any of the participating attractions. Just walk up to the admission counter and ask to purchase the Chicago CityPASS.

The Top Chicago Attractions

There are seven attractions included with the Chicago CityPASS, and you can visit five with the pass. These are arguably the most popular attractions in all of Chicago, and nearly everybody visits a few of these on their trips. 

• Shedd Aquarium
• Skydeck Chicago
• Field Museum
• Adler Planetarium
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Museum of Science and Industry
• 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

You can also visit the two you didn’t choose among your included five by taking advantage of the coupons in the back, as mentioned above.

How a CityPASS Save s

Like its competitor products Go Chicago Card and Chicago Explorer Pass, the Chicago CityPASS saves by aggregating your admission costs. You pay less for the product than you would at all five attractions combined.

CityPASS advertises a savings of 50%, which is comparable to its competitors as well. It’s easier to save with the CityPASS, too, because there are fewer choices and you get the high-value attractions included.

Assuming you are interested in all of the either/or options, you should choose the Art Institute of Chicago and 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck. They have the higher admission prices and will increase the value of the pass. Then, use the coupons in the back to visit Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry for less than gate price.

If you want to see exactly how much you can save, try our Chicago CityPASS value calculator . Just check off the things you want to do on the pass and the calculator will let you know how much you save in dollars or as a percentage.

Is the Chicago CityPASS Right for Me?

The Chicago CityPASS is a smart option for those who want a more leisurely travel itinerary. No need to fit two to three things in per day (as you do to maximize the value of the Go Chicago Card) – just take your time over nine whole days. This can span two weekends, too, which especially helpful for longer trips or if you’re relatively local.

It’s also a nice choice if you want to see the included attractions and nothing else. They are the top things in the city, and if they’re on your list, it’s a better value than some of the other products. For example, a one-day Go Chicago Card costs about the same as the Chicago CityPASS. However, while you get admission to five attractions with the CityPASS, it’s impossible to visit five attractions in one day with the Go Chicago Card, so you’re already getting less for the same amount. 

Any Reason Not to Buy?

The biggest reason not to purchase would be the limited number of attractions. Some of the most popular things in Chicago are not part of this program, so you’d need to pay out of pocket. 

If you have kids, the Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier are key destinations that are not on the product. It also doesn’t include any tours or cruises, the latter of which is particularly odd in a lakefront city with an iconic river system.

Otherwise, another small reason is the ticket booklet itself. When competitor products like Go Chicago Card and Chicago Explorer Pass have gone digital (and can therefore be used on smartphones), the CityPASS seems a little basic. That said, it’s really a minor thing and you can easily remember to stash the booklet with your wallet or some other safe place.

Sample Chicago CityPASS Itineraries

Because the pass is good for nine days, you could visit the included attractions one per day, or a few grouped together. Here are some examples below.

A Weekend Getaway

Day 1:  Shedd Aquarium; Field Museum; Skydeck Chicago Day 2:  Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Science and Industry

A Leisurely Trip

Day 1:  Shedd Aquarium; Field Museum Day 2:  Adler Planetarium Day 3: 360 CHICAGO plus spend some time Shopping Day 4:  Skydeck Chicago

Chicago CityPASS Pricing

You will easily money even if you visit 3 Attractions. Of course, you do need to visit all of the included attractions to actually maximize the value of the pass. Since you have nine days to so do, however, it’s very likely that you can truly save the 50% advertised by CityPASS. 

Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass by Go City

Spending time in Chicago whether for just a day or for a full week can be even better when you take advantage of a travel pass! The Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass offers deals and discounts for more than 25 attractions, valid for between 1 and 5 days of time in the city. Museums, bus tours, zoos, water cruises, bike rentals, bowling and so many more adventures can be easy when you use this all-inclusive pass. Save up to 55% off the normal ticket price when attractions are combined together on a Go Chicago Card.

Save 5% on the already discounted price of a Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass. Use the Exclusive Coupon Code GO5CMANTIS . You must use the links on this site for the coupon to work. Coupon stacks on top of the current sale. Expires May 31st.

How the Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass Works

• Choose the number of calendar days you want: 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. These are calendar days, not 24-hour periods, which means you’ll want to get started early in the morning to make the most out of your Go Chicago Pass.
• Once you’ve purchased your passes for yourself and anyone else in your party, you can have your cards shipped to you, or you can pick them up at any of the voucher locations.
• Cards are valid from 9am-5:30pm each day. You probably won’t be able to visit all of the attractions, even if you choose the five-day option. However, planning well will allow you to experience two or three attractions each day—and it’s up to you to choose your favorites!

Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass Benefits

A great way to see Chicago based on your own preferences, the Go Chicago Pass lets you create your own vacation while avoiding the purchase of individual admission tickets. Save up to 55% on the price of admission and have access to more than 25 of Chicagoland’s favorite attractions. Attractions may be subject to change, but they typically include:

• Shedd Aquarium
• Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Chicago: 1-day Classic Tour
• 360 Chicago
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Adler Planetarium
• Field Museum with VIP Entry
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Shoreline Architecture River Cruise
• Shoreline Classic Lake Tour
• See the sidebar for the complete list.

Not only will you have access to the attractions you want in Chicago, but for many of them you’ll be able to jump the line—saving you a significant amount of time. Since lines at Shedd Aquarium, 360 Chicago, the Art Institute and other popular locations can sometimes be as long as 1-2 hours, you’ll be way ahead of the others.

Another perk included with the card is a Free Full Color Guidebook to help you plan out your itinerary for your visit to Chicago.

Is the Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass a Good Value?

Whether enjoying the view of the entire city from 360 Chicago or taking in a cruise along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, you won’t ever have to reach for your wallet if you visit the city with a Go Chicago Card. Most people who use the card find that they can benefit financially and with time saved.

The best way to figure out if the pass is a good deal for your money is to first decide how many days you plan to stay in Chicago. Then, make a list of the places you want to see, add up the cost of those individual tickets and then compare it to the cost of the Go Card. In almost all cases, as long as you plan to visit more than one attraction per day, you’ll find yourself saving a great deal of cash!

There are lots of options for tourist passes in Chicago . Look at a Chicago CityPASS if you want to see only the top attractions and museums. Check out an Explorer Pass if you want a similar selection but want to spread out the visits over a longer period of time. If you are not sure which pass is best for you, check out our comparison page .

How to Purchase a Go Chicago Pass

The price of Go Cards varies depending on the number of days you want to spend in Chicago and prices are subject to change each season. In general, the more days you choose to participate, the more money you’ll save. The 5-day pass gives you the most opportunity to save big bucks.

If preferred, the convenient and free Go City Card App allows users to get everything they need for sightseeing on their mobile phones, right at their fingertips.  

Planning Your Chicago Visit with a Go Chicago Pass

With the Go Card, one of the best ways to enjoy the city is to take advantage of the Big Bus Tour. The hop-on, hop-off style tour allows you to get a ride from one attraction to the next and you can spend as much or as little time on the bus as you like during the day that your ticket is active. You can see the city from a different perspective and visit the attractions you prefer in between.

Touring the city with a family might take you to the Children’s Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, or one of the zoos. Add in a few Navy Pier attractions, cruise on the Tall Ship Windy, and experience an adventure at LEGOLAND Discovery Center—your kids will have the time of their lives!

Adults might prefer to take in the Art Institute, learn about the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright, participate in an escape room or enjoy a tour of Chicago’s Theatres. Using the Go Chicago Card allows you see the sites you want, on the select days you choose, while avoiding many lines and saving money. It’s perfect way to visit one of America’s favorite cities.