Chicago from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Chicago, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 26 Oct 2026.
Plan my Chicago tripDay to day in Chicago, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £37 | £42 |
| A balanced mix | £64 | £68 |
| Mostly restaurants | £78 | £83 |
- Local transport: about £5 a day. Taxi: £2 to start, then £1.30 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £11 a day for food.
- Tipping: about 20% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: numbeo.com, budgetyourtrip.com, littlechicagoguide.com; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
0°F
0°M
5°A
10°M
15°J
21°J
25°A
25°S
22°O
15°N
9°D
3°
The most pleasant months are July and September. January is the driest month (48 mm of rain) and May the wettest (117 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit United States, place by placeCompare: United States or Canada · Mexico or United States · Japan or United States · Australia or United States
Visa for British travellers
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa
Fee: $40 a person.
Allow at least 7 days before you fly.
Official source: gov.uk, checked 2026-10-26. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Chicago
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (The Bean)park · a couple of hoursFree; Crown Fountain runs mid-April to end of summer, free concerts at Pritzker Pavilion in summer
Art Institute of Chicagomuseum · half a daySeurat's Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Hopper's Nighthawks and American Gothic; Modern Wing entrance faces Millennium Park
Willis Tower Skydeck and The Ledgetower · a couple of hoursGlass boxes 1,353 ft above Wacker Drive; quieter after 4pm
Navy Pierharbour · half a dayCentennial Wheel, lake cruises and summer fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights
Field Museum of Natural Historymuseum · half a dayOn the lakefront Museum Campus with the Shedd and Adler; see SUE the T. rex
- Shedd Aquariumaquarium · half a day
Timed tickets; the Wild Reef and Oceanarium are the highlights
- 360 Chicago observation deckviewpoint · a couple of hours
94th floor of the former John Hancock Center on the Magnificent Mile; best lake-and-skyline view in town
Lincoln Park Zoozoo · half a dayFree, open daily; combine with the lakefront and the Lincoln Park Conservatory next door
- Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruiseexperience · a couple of hours
Open March to November. 90-minute docent-led boat tour of the skyline from the Chicago River; book ahead in summer
- Cubs game at Wrigley Fieldexperience · half a day
Baseball season April-October; ballpark tours on non-game days; Addison Red Line
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Chicago cost?
Food and getting around come to about £42 a person a day eating street food, £68 with a balanced mix and £83 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
The most pleasant months are July and September. January is the driest month (48 mm of rain) and May the wettest (117 mm); daytime highs run from 0 to 25 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for United States?
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa, $40. Checked on gov.uk on 2026-10-26; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Chicago?
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (The Bean), Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower Skydeck and The Ledge, Navy Pier, Field Museum of Natural History.
Your whole Chicago trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Chicago trip