Chicago Bus Tours – Are They Worth It?

🚍 Are Bus Tours Worth It? Absolutely.

Whether it’s your first time in Chicago or you just don’t feel like walking everywhere, bus tours are one of the easiest ways to see the city. From classic sightseeing routes to deep dives into Chicago’s mobster history, there’s a tour for every interest. But which one should you take?

Let’s break down the best bus tours in Chicago and what makes each one unique.

🚏 1. Big Bus Tours – The Classic Sightseeing Experience

✅ Best for: First-time visitors who want to see the highlights.
✅ Why It’s Worth It: Hop-on, hop-off flexibility with live or recorded narration.
✅ Key Stops: Millennium Park, Navy Pier, The Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus, and more.

💡 Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the schedule—you don’t want to get stuck at a stop after the last bus has left! Been there, done that. don’t recommend it.

🕵️‍♂️ 2. Chicago Crime Tours & Experiences – Gangsters, Mobsters, and Criminals

✅ Best for: True crime lovers and history buffs.
✅ Why It’s Worth It: This tour dives into Chicago’s gangster past, stopping at historic crime scenes, speakeasies, and mobster hangouts.
✅ What You’ll See: Sites connected to Al Capone, John Dillinger, and other infamous criminals.

💡 Pro Tip: Great for something different—this tour is all about Chicago’s dark side!

🏙️ 3. See It ALL Chicago Mini Bus Tours – The Ultimate Small Group Tour

✅ Best for: Visitors who want a more personalized experience without the huge crowds.
✅ Why It’s Worth It: Covers all of Chicago’s major landmarks but with a smaller, more comfortable group setting.
✅ Bonus Perks: Unlike hop-on-hop-off buses, this tour includes a few photo stops and insider tips from a local guide.

💡 Pro Tip: If you hate large crowds, this is the best way to tour Chicago by bus! PS, they also have river tours!

✅ The Pros – Why Bus Tours Are Worth It

✔️ Perfect for First-Time Visitors – You’ll get a great overview of the city without worrying about navigation.
✔️ Hop Off (on the Big Bus, at least) at the Best Attractions – Stops include Millennium Park, Navy Pier, The Field Museum, The Art Institute, and Magnificent Mile.
✔️ Live or Recorded Narration – You’ll actually learn something instead of just staring out the window.
✔️ Avoid Parking Hassles – No need to drive or pay sky-high parking fees near attractions.

💡 Pro Tip: If you only have one day in Chicago, this is one of the best ways to see the highlights without exhausting yourself.

⚠️ The Cons – And a Word of Caution

🚨 WATCH THE CLOCK!
I did the hop-on hop-off tour and made the mistake of not paying attention to the last bus of the day and got stranded at the Field Museum. Worse? A baseball game had just ended, flooding the streets with fans. Cabs were impossible to find, and I ended up walking miles away from the crowd before I could finally get a ride. Lesson learned:

📌 Always check the last bus schedule before hopping off at your final stop.

🚔 Be Aware of Post-Game Crowds

• If a game is letting out, the streets near Soldier Field or Wrigleyville can become a chaotic sea of people.

• Police may block off certain areas, making it harder to navigate (or in my case, making sure you don’t “accidentally” walk on the wrong patch of grass 🙃).

• If you’re in a rush, it may actually be faster to walk a few blocks away from the crowd before hailing a cab or rideshare.

📌 Book in Advance – Popular tours, especially crime tours and mini-bus experiences, sell out quickly.

📌 Dress for the Weather – If you’re on a double-decker bus, you’ll want layers—Chicago weather can change fast!

💲 Cost & Ticket Options

Most hop-on hop-off tours offer one-day and multi-day passes. Expect to pay:
✅ $50-$60 for a 1-day pass
✅ $65-$75 for a 2-day pass

For the Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences, you can expect to pay:
✅ About $45 for 1.5-2 hours for a day tour
✅ About $50 for 2-2.5 hours for a night tour

For the See it ALL Chicago Mini Bus Tours, expect to pay:
✅ Just under $50 for adults
✅ Just under $40 for kids (age 4-12)
✅The river boat tours are a little less than double the cost of the bus tours.

💡 Worth it? Yes. If you plan on having a relaxing time taking in as much as you can see in a single day.

🛤️ Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Chicago’s hop-on hop-off tours are one of the best ways to explore the city—just don’t get stranded like I did! If you use it wisely, it’s a fantastic option for first-time visitors.

• Have you taken one before?

• What was your experience like?

• Let me know in the comments!