groupon chicago bus tour

THE 10 BEST Chicago Bus Tours

Bus tours in chicago.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Chicago City Minibus Tour

2. Chicago Pizza Tour

3. Chicago Small-Group City Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise

4. Chicago Private Custom City Tour with Hotel Pick Up

5. Private Shopping Tour from Chicago to Fashion Outlets of Chicago

6. Chicago Evening Crime Tour by Bus

7. Best of Chicago Small-Group Tour with Skydeck and River Cruise

8. 4-Hour Chicago City Tour by SUV

9. Chicago Tour - South Side

10. Big Bus Chicago Sunset Tour

11. Chicago Small-Group Night Tour with Skydeck and Boat Cruise

12. Private Shopping Tour from Chicago to Chicago Premium Outlets

13. Chicago Hauntings Original Ghost Bus Tour

14. Chicago Full-Day City Tour

15. Private Chicago Tour with Driver and tour Guide. Hotel pick up included

16. The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour

17. African American Heritage Tour of Chicago

18. Small-Group Tour of Chicago Neighborhoods - North and South Side

19. Untouchable Tours Chicago's Original Gangster Tour

20. Private Chicago Highlights Driving Tour

21. Saturday Chicago Pizza History and Tastings Bus Tour

22. Chicago Architectural Highlights Bus Tour

23. Chicago Private Instagram Car Tour (Private & All-Inclusive)

24. Private Haunted History of Chicago Ghost Tour

25. Private Chicago Architecture Tour

26. Private Chicago Scenic Driving Tour

27. Windmill Island-Tulip Festival Day Tour from Chicago

28. Lake Superior,Lake Huron,Lake Michigan 4-Day Tour from Chicago

29. Private Al Capone Gangster Tour in Chicago

30. 5 Day Tour On Lakes Superior Huron and Michigan

What travellers are saying.

• Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
• Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
• Chicago City Minibus Tour
• Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour
• Chicago Small-Group City Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise
• Pizza City USA
• Chicago's Finest Tours
• ExperienceFirst-Chicago
• Go City | Chicago
• SEE Chicago Today
• See it All Chicago Tours
• BigBus Chicago
• The Barrel Run
• Chicago Dine-Around

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• About this activity

Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Multiple languages
• Freedom to discover Chicago's attractions at your own pace
• Chance to soak up spirit of the Windy City
• Easy way to get a lay of the land & visit major attractions
• Unlimited rides within the duration of your ticket
• Marvel at the historic sites and museums along the route

Activity location

• Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Meeting/Redemption Point

• 98 East Wacker Drive
• 60601, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

• Wed, Apr 17 $55
• Thu, Apr 18 $55
• Fri, Apr 19 $55
• Sat, Apr 20 $55
• Sun, Apr 21 $55
• Mon, Apr 22 $55
• Tue, Apr 23 $55
• Wed, Apr 24 $55
• Thu, Apr 25 $55
• Fri, Apr 26 $55
• Sat, Apr 27 $55
• Sun, Apr 28 $55
• Mon, Apr 29 $55
• Tue, Apr 30 $55
• Wed, May 1 $55

24 Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

• Activity duration is 1 day 1d 1d

24 Hour unlimited hop-on, hop-off bus tour on our Red route covering the heart of Chicago.

48 Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

• Activity duration is 2 days 2d 2d

48 Hour unlimited hop-on, hop-off bus tour on our Red route covering the heart of Chicago.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Hop-on hop-off bus pass for Chicago
• What's included What's included Unlimited rides within the duration of your ticket validity
• What's included What's included Sunset Tour (on selected tickets)
• What's excluded What's excluded Hotel Pickup/Dropoff

Know before you book

• Children 2 and younger are complimentary.

What you can expect

Explore Chicago at your own pace with our flexible hop-on, hop-off tours. Our hop-on, hop-off bus tours give you the freedom to plan your own itinerary and explore the best of Chicago’s landmarks. Board and exit the tour at any of our 12 stops. When you're ready, just board again. The Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, and John Hancock Tower, which is known as the world's first mixed-use tower and is an architectural icon representing the close collaboration between architect Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan, are just a few of the landmarks and attractions that will be highlighted on this tour of the Windy City. Hop off to see the fireworks displays, live music, theater, and cruises setting sail daily at the Navy Pier or check out the Adler Planetarium dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics.

Complete your tour with a sunset tour across the Chicago city, available on selected tickets. See the entire skyline lit up from the Museum Campus, discover River North’s vibrant nightlife scene, and travel every inch of Michigan Ave from The Magnificent Mile to The Cultural Mile, all in one exciting loop with our pre recorded commentary in English and Spanish.

• 150 East Chestnut Street
• 60611, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
• 500 East Solidarity Drive
• 60605, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
• 171 North State Street
• 319 West Jackson Boulevard
• 60606, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
• 112 South Michigan Avenue
• 60603, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
• 800 South Michigan Avenue
• 425 East McFetridge Drive
• 441 North Columbus Drive
• 163 East Pearson Street
• 614 North Clark Street
• 60654, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

• Tours and Activities

Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Explore The Windy City At Your Own Pace With A Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Chicago Hop On Hop Off Tour

• • Explore Chicago's Famous Skyscrapers And Museums
• • Flexible Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour
• • Stops Located Near Top Attractions

Why We Love It

Discover the vibrant city of Chicago at your own pace with the Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. This flexible and convenient sightseeing bus tour allows you to explore the city's famous skyscrapers, world-class museums, and rich history in the most convenient way possible. With a choice of 24-hour or 48-hour tickets, you have the freedom to hop on and off the bus at your leisure.

Experience iconic attractions like the Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile. Take in the stunning views of the city from the heart-stopping heights of the Willis Tower's Skydeck. The Big Bus Chicago tour offers strategically located stops near all the top attractions, making it easy for you to discover the best of the Windy City. Whether you're interested in shopping, culture, or simply enjoying the beautiful architecture, this tour has something for everyone. To enhance your experience, download the free Big Bus App, which allows you to track the live location of the buses in real-time. This ensures that you never miss a bus and can plan your itinerary accordingly. As you journey through Chicago, you'll be accompanied by an informative audio guide, providing interesting facts and stories about the city's history and landmarks.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local looking to rediscover your city, the Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is the perfect way to explore Chicago at your own pace and create unforgettable memories. Book your tickets now and get ready for an immersive and flexible sightseeing experience in the Windy City. 

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Experience overview:.

The lakeside metropolis of Chicago is famous for its striking skyscrapers, world-class museums and colorful history. Explore the “Windy City” at your own pace, with the choice of 24 Hour and 48 Hour tickets, all which include a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour with stops strategically located near the city’s top attractions. Hop on to experience sites like the Adler Planetarium and Navy Pier or hop off along the Magnificent Mile to shop, see the great city at heart-stopping heights from Willis Tower’s Skydeck.

What to expect:

Big Loop (Red Route)

Duration : 2 hours

Operating Schedule: Operates: Daily First Bus 10 AM, Last Bus 5 PM. Service every 60 minutes. Red Loop lasts 2 hours. Customers are advised to download the Big Bus app for real-time bus tracking information. Alternatively, please visit the Big Bus website.

98 E Wacker Dr

Stop 1 Chicago Riverwalk

319 W Jackson Blvd

Stop 2: Skydeck Chicago & Willis Tower

200 S Michigan Ave

Stop 3: Millennium Park &The art Institute of Chicago

800 S Michigan Ave

Stop 4: Hilton Chicago &Grant Park

500 E Solidarity Dr

Stop 5: Adler Planetarium

425 E McFetridge Dr

Stop 6: Museum Campus

441 N Columbus Dr

Stop 7: Sheraton Grand Chicago

600 E Grand Ave

Stop 8: Navy Pier

163 E Pearson St

Stop 9: Water Tower & The Magnificent Mile

150 E Chestnut St

Stop 10: 360 Chicago

614 N Clark St

Stop 11: Hard Rock Cafe

Points of interest passed by on this route

• Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Chicago Theatre
• Field Museum
• Adler Planetarium
• 360 Chicago Observation Deck
• Millennium Park
• Water Tower Place
• Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
• BigBus Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain
• Financial District
• Maggie Daley Park
• The Magnificent Mile
• Tribune Tower
• Holy Name Cathedral
• Chicago River
• Chicago Riverwalk
• Soldier Field
• The Rookery Building
• Centennial Wheel
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Wrigley Building
• American Writers Museum
• The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
• Northerly Island
• Pritzker Military Museum & Library
• Jay Pritzker Pavilion
• Lyric Opera of Chicago
• Symphony Center - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Monadnock Building
• Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

What's included:

• Live Bus Tracking (Download Free Big Bus App)
• Hop-on, Hop-off, Open-top, Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Audio Guide

Not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Details & Important Info

Additional experience details & important information.

Wheelchair accessible Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Service animals allowed Public transportation options are available nearby Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Suitable for all physical fitness levels 1 Day tickets will be valid for same day use. Tickets claimed after 2 pm will be valid for the next calendar day. Redeem vouchers at any Big Bus hop-on hop-off points Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required

Cancellations & Refunds

Reservation changes, cancellations & refunds.

The tour departs from 98 E. Upper Wacker Dr. The most convenient parking is close by at 29 N Lower Wacker Dr Parking Lot

Organized by

Big bus tours - usa.

Product SKU: US-4845-0002

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Hop On Hop Off Chicago - Bus Tours

Getting around The Windy City is a breeze when you take a hop-on hop-off Chicago tour! You can get to call the shots during your sightseeing trip. Hop off our open-air, double-decker busses and check out the attractions that interest you. Then, hop back on and skip the ones that don’t. An excursion tour has never been so easy! These highly useful attraction passes provide admission to some of the most popular attractions at a deep discount. Picking one up is one of the smartest things to do in Chicago!

Chicago Sightseeing Bus Tours

Top Customer Reviews

Marisol sepulveda.

Great tour!! Great service and great guide

Karla Gonzalez

The ticket and the extras offered were better than I expected, service inside the Bus and extra support were great.

Diane Sullivan-Ishiki

Ok. Wish was alittle less expensive.

Experience Chicago in Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

The most populous city in the United States, Chicago lies on the shore of Lake Michigan. Famously known as the Windy City, it is the major hub for finance, education, and telecommunication in the US. Chicago is famous for its local cuisine and vibrant nightlife. Make sure that you don’t miss out on the Chicago-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, and jazz music while you are there.

With the open-top Big Bus hop on hop off Chicago sightseeing tour, you can explore the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Or find out what the John Hancock Center, Shedd Aquarium, and Miracle Mile offer.

Make sure to plan your itinerary in advance or it may get overwhelming at the last minute. Also, you can buy a CTA pass to easily navigate around the city without the hassle of renting a car. In case, you want to drive around, you can rely on the ParkChicago app to find routes seamlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is the best time to book a chicago hop-on hop-off tour.

April to September is the best time to plan a visit to Chicago and cover its major attractions. You can count on comfortable weather during this time that will make your sightseeing easy. However, if you are on a budget and looking to save some dough, then you can visit after the holiday season during January.

Q: How many days are enough to explore Chicago?

We recommend spending 3 to 5 days in Chicago to uncover its main attractions and hidden gems.

Q: Are these tours guided?

That will depend on the tour provider. You’ll find that hop-on hop-off bus tours can be either live or audio-guided. Many will have a pre-recorded commentary that’ll share fascinating information about the history of Chicago, its culture, and many places of interest. You’ll find that the audio commentary will be provided in various languages. English, French, German and Spanish are the most commonly used, but others may be available. Check the specific product page for full details of all the languages offered.

Q: What is the validity of the ticket?

There are several ticket options available to you, depending on your length of stay. Each bus tour will have validity from 24, 36, 48 to 72 hours. And the great thing is you can plan ahead as the vouchers are valid anywhere between 6 months to 1 year and can be used at any point during that period. Check the product page or bus tour operator for complete details.

Q: Where can I find a list of all the stops and a map of the various Chicago hop-on hop-off tour routes?

You can visit the relevant product page and check the Useful Downloads section to find the latest information as routes, stops, and timings change frequently.

Other Hop On Hop Off Destinations

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Washington DC
• Los Angeles
• Johannesburg
• San Antonio
• Reykjavik Iceland
• St-Petersburg
• Benalmadena
• Thessaloniki
• Kristiansand
• BUENOS AIRES
• Hop On Hop Off Bus Offers and Deals

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5 Days / 4 Nights

Departure from your location may require en route lodging. Call for details.

Chicago, Illinois

A group bus tour.

America’s most popular mid-western city!  Chicago’s landmark Navy Pier is a great place to find unique shops and restaurants. View the city’s architecture on a Chicago River cruise. Try your hand at gaming at a local casino. Go eye-to-eye with a dolphin at the Shedd Aquarium. Chicago is sure to be “your kind of town!”

This package includes:

• 4 Nights Lodging
• 4 Breakfasts
• 4 Dinners, including Dinner in Greek Town
• Guided Tour of Chicago
• Shedd Aquarium
• Architectural Cruise of Chicago
• Water Tower Place Mall
• "Skydeck Chicago" Observation Deck
• Federal Reserve Money Museum
• Gaming at a Chicago-area Casino
• Lincoln Park Conservatory
• Gift for All
• Luggage Handling
• All Taxes and Meal Gratuities
• 2 Comps Per Bus of 40 or more
• Untouchable Gangster Tour
• Notre Dame University Tour
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Adler Planetarium
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Please contact me about this tour

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Which Chicago Bus Tours Are Best?

City, gangster, and beer tours.

Sometimes when we're leading one of our many tours in Chicago, we'll receive questions about whether or not any of the bus tours in this city are worth the time and money.

With that in mind, we've created this helpful guide to give you an idea of how much each bus tour costs, what you can expect to see, how long it lasts, and other important details.

This post reviews and compares the many different Chicago bus tours, double-decker hop-on-hop-off, gangster, and more, some of which are included for free with tourist passes.

• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
• Sightseeing Non-Stop Tours
• Night Tours
• Gangster Tours
• Beer + Distillery Tours
• Combos + Deals

Tips From Locals and Travelers

Disclosure:  We think you should consider our free tours, but we have also provided other options. While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

HOP-ON-HOP-OFF DOUBLE-DECKER BUS TOUR

A popular option for bus tours is the hop-on-hop-off tour variety.

All the double-decker buses in this section run continuously along mapped routes, and riders have the option to board at several predetermined locations throughout the city.

Travelers can get off the bus at any of these stops and discover the landmarks for themselves. After exploring various areas of Chicago, hop back onto the bus and continue your journey!

There are pre-recorded commentaries that tell you about what you're seeing.

Each ticket will be valid for a certain amount of time (typically 24-48 hours) and you can come and go as you please.

Ticket prices range from $19-$49 for adults and $14-$35 for children, depending on which kind of tour is chosen from which company.

Read our full comparison post on hop-on-hop-off bus tours , where we detail the pros and cons, route maps, and options for discounts.

NON-STOP SIGHTSEEING TOURS 

Although hop-on-hop-off bus tours can be very informative, they are designed for exploring the city to allow you to pick your stops and explore at your own pace.

Non-stop sightseeing tours are about guiding you through a specific area, with a live guide's commentary covering the significance of iconic landmarks and the history of an area.

Note that "non-stop" is a bit of a misnomer, as they do stop from time to time, but they make the choice about which sites they will be taking people to.

While some trips are focused on how Chicago became such a bustling city of industry, other tours center their attention on the architectural history of the Windy City.

Most of these services are very highly rated and tickets will cost between $30-$50 for adults and $15-$37 for children.

1. See It All Mini Tour

See It All offers a two-hour experience that allows you to experience a large part of the city, with three great photo stops! 

Expert guides will provide information about the interesting parts of the windy city while you take in the various sights and sounds.

This company offers hotel pick-ups at most locations downtown . Simply select your hotel (or the hotel nearest you) at the time of booking.

This tour company has a 5 out of 5 stars  rating on TripAdvisor ( read the reviews ).

Several comments suggest that the See It All tour is a great introduction to the city for visitors who may not be familiar with their surroundings. 

The tour passes by and through many of Chicago's major attractions and neighborhoods with guides discovering the rich history of the city.

Tour Highlights

• The Magnificent Mile | Tribune Tower, 360 Observation Deck, John Hancock Building , Wrigley Building
• Navy Pier | Lake Michigan
• Millenium Park | The Bean, Pritzker Pavillion, Crown Fountain, and more. Read about 9 Things to Do in Millenium Park here.
• Chicago River | Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Marina City
• Buckingham Fountain | Grant Park , Art Institute of Chicago
• Museum Campus | Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium, and much more
• Lincoln Park | Lincoln Park Zoo, gardens, fountains, sculptures, and more. You can take our Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour while you're there.
• Gold Coast | restaurants, upscale neighborhoods, the Original Playboy Mansion
• Skydeck Chicago | The Willis (Sears) Tower
• The Rookery Building | Frank Lloyd Wright-designed
• The Art Institute of Chicago

Standard Prices 

• Adults: $46.95
• Children: $36.95 (ages 4-12)
• Infants Free (0-3)
• Purchase tickets here .

Note that the tour makes a stop for photos at the Museum Campus because it has one of the best views of the Chicago Skyline.

You're also able to add on an upgrade for an open-top boat ride down the Chicago River.

2. Chicago Architecture Foundation Tours

Chicago is world-renowned for its architecture, and you can see the best of it on this bus tour!

Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) has been the cultural ambassador of Chicago architecture since 1966 and is the world’s largest public architecture organization.

With a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is one of the highest-rated attractions in the city.

They have partnered with Big Bus Tour to bring you 4 tours that cover various points of interest, some of which they'll stop at.

Churches by Bus

• Visits Church on the South and Near West Sides of Chicago
• Cost: $50 public | $43 CAC Members
• Duration: 5 hours
• Find more information
• Purchase tickets here
• Not currently available.

Devil in the White City

• Visits locations from the book Devil in the White City one which covered a dark side of Chicago history
• Dates: 1st & 3rd Saturday from May - August
• Duration: 3.25 hours

Murals By Bus: Bronzeville

• Visits the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, covering a range of important topics while taking in its notable public murals
• Duration: 3.5 hours

Gothic Chicago by Bus

• Covers how the Gothic style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was captured by Chicago architects

TIP: If you are interested in Chicago architecture, check out our pay-what-you-wish architecture tours .

NIGHT BUS TOURS OF CHICAGO 

As with most cities, Chi-town really changes when the sun goes down. All of the buildings begin to light up and the city really starts to shine.

Thankfully, some of the bus tour companies in the area provide services during the night. 

Night tours in Chicago are very highly rated. Most of these options are offered for free with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

Big Bus Night Tours

Discover how the Windy City changes when the sun goes down with this memorable panoramic night bus tour!

Reviews of the night tour from Big Bus Tours are mostly positive. They have a 4.5-star rating out of 5 stars on Trip Advisor.

Many of the positive comments mention that the tour guides are very informative and make the experience even more fun.

Some guests were happy with the comfort of their air-conditioned buses, while others were simply pleased that this was a live guided tour rather than a pre-recorded informative trip. 

There are a few negative comments, but they all take issue with different problems that do not appear to have anything in common.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chicago 🏙 Travel | Hotels | Food | Tips (@chicago.explore)

Sunset Live Tour

• Visits Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Museum Campus, Loop, and more.
• Cost: Adult from $45 | Children from $31.50
• Dates: May-October
• Starts: 7:30 at Navy Pier
• Duration: 90 minutes

Sunset Live Tour + 360 Chicago & Cocktail

• Stops at the John Hancock 360 Observation Deck for a cocktail
• Cost: starts at $90
• Duration: 90 minutes for the tour plus extra time for the visit to the observation deck

Note that Big Bus has a free mobile app that can be downloaded to see where the bus is along the route. It can be downloaded here .

DARK BUT INTERESTING TOURS

Chicago has a noted history of criminal organizations and unusual crimes. Unfortunately, the tales we’ve heard from Hollywood don’t often tell the whole story.

In order to learn more about what really happened in the windy city, it’s important to learn the history from an expert.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crime Tours (@crimetours)

Several bus tour companies in the area provide trips around some of the more historically relevant sites in the city, detailing some of the more infamous events that took place.

These bus tours are typically rated very well, and guests enjoy learning a lot about Chi-town’s disturbing past. Ticket prices range from $30-$46 per adult.

1. Chicago Mob and Crime Bus Tour

Curious about the world-famous mobsters, crime lords, and gangsters from the 19th century on?

Take a ride in style with the climate-controlled Black Limousine Bus and see the underworld of Chicago in an hour and a half guided tour.

• The Untouchables
• H.H. Holmes
• St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
• Biograph Theatre
• Holy Name Cathedral
• John Dillinger

The bus operates 7 days a week at the below times.  The website advises guests to arrive 10 minutes early to check-in. Tours last 90 minutes.

• Standard price: $46
• Tour length: 1.5 hours long
• Departing from: 163 E. Pearson Street
• Tours take place 7 days a week

2. Weird Chicago Tours

This tour company a number of different tours covering some of the darker parts of Chicago's past.

If you want to take a peak into the seedier side of Chicago's history, you will be sure to find one of these tours interesting.

Tours On Offer

• Devil and the White City Bus Tour | Chicago's First HH Holmes Tour
• Haunted History Bus Tour | Chicago's Best Ghost Tour
• Al Capone Daydrinkers Pub Crawl | Adults Only Pub Tour
• True Crime and Mystery Bus Tour | The City's Most Macrabre Tour
• Roaring 20s Speakeasy Bus Tour | The Probhibition Tour of What Made Chicago Wild
• Blood, Guns & Valentines Gangster Bus Tour | An Authenic "Public Enemies" Tour
• Bus Tours | $30 per adult | $25 per child (under 12)
• Pub Crawls | $35 per person
• Departing from: 600 North Clark Street
• Tours take place on Saturdays

3. Untouchable Tours

Step into the 1920s with this 2 hour themed, guided tour! Known as the original Gangster Tour of Chicago, you’ll listen to the guides talk in slang as you learn about the true 1930’s Windy City.

There is no walking, so you’ll see all of the infamous spots from the comfort of the climate-controlled bus.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Untouchable Tours (@untouchabletours)

• Get the inside scoop on the windiest politicians, the red light district, and the notorious crime scene of the Prohibition Era
• St. Valentine's Day Massacre
• The Biograph Theatre
• By a 30-year-old company
• Bus Tours | $45 per person + $2.18 service fee
• Departing from 600 block of North Clark
• The tour schedule varies from month to month

BEER AND DISTILLERY TOURS

Discover the history behind Chicago’s finest alcoholic beverage by taking a bus tour.

These companies will actually drive you to a variety of different breweries and distilleries in the Chi-town area. Each location you visit will typically offer a variety of free drinks and taste-testing opportunities.

These trips will last for between 3 and 5 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore each of the stops on the tour of your choice. Expect to pay $65-$75 per ticket.

The Barrel Run

Last but certainly not least, this tour provides samples of local brews and liquors with their Chicago Breweries tour and their  Distilleries tour.

Did we mention you ride around in a large barrel-shaped bus? 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Barrel Run (@thebarrelrun)

Brewery Tour

• Visits Chicago-area breweries with beer samples and an in-depth tour
• Cost: Adult $99.60
• Tours take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
• Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Picks up from 600 N Clark Street
• Find information and book tickets here  

Distillery Tour

• Visits three local craft distilleries with samples at each and a tour of one of the facilities
• Find information and book tickets here  

They do offer a private Gangster Prohibition Tour , and you can contact them  to find out more information.

9 CHICAGO BUS TOUR DEALS

Many Chicago tour bus companies provide a variety of discounts on tickets. This section will describe a few of the best ways to get a good deal on Chicago bus tours.

We will also cover some common deals that might not be available at the moment but could be offered at some point in the future.

1. Tourist Passes

Companies like Big Bus offer their tours through Chicago tourist passes.

Chicago All-Inclusive Passes, Chicago Explorer Passes, and Prepackaged passes allow you to pay one flat price for multiple activities and attractions throughout the city.

You can use a tourist pass to save up to 50% off a variety of fun things to see and do in the Windy City, including the following:

• 360 Chicago
• Skydeck Chicago
• Shedd Aquarium
• Shoreline Architecture Cruise
• Museum of Science and Industry
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Read about each service and what they have to offer in our post about Chicago tourist passes .

2. Combo Packages

These combinations can provide decent savings for travelers who are looking to experience multiple activities in Chicago.

Tour companies sometimes combine their services with other popular activities and attractions in Chicago to give tourists and travelers a chance to save some money on tickets.

Learn more about combo packages for Chicago bus tours .

3. Deal Sites

Chicago bus tour companies often provide their services through websites such as Groupon and Living Social . Each of these websites provides deals on local activities.

At times, they will also provide promotional credits you can apply in addition to whatever deal they are already offering in order to save even more money!

4. Children's Tickets

Some Chicago bus tour companies will offer discounts of up to $20 off for children's tickets. Most of them also provide free tickets for children under the age of 3.

5. Senior Discount

There are not currently any senior discounts offered by any of the companies listed above, but that could change with time.

We recommend contacting them to ask whether or not their policy has changed before purchasing your ticket.

6. Student Discount

This is another common type of deal which is not currently offered by any of the companies listed above. Make sure to ask ahead of time to see if they have changed this recently.

7. Military Discount

Sadly, this type of deal is also not available with any of the tour companies listed above, but they may change their minds if you call to ask about it!

8. Group Rates

Some Chicago bus tour companies do offer group rates for large groups of people, but you have to call ahead and order your tickets directly to get this deal.

Currently, Big Bus is the only hop-on-hop-off bus tour offering group rates.

9. AAA Deal

There aren't currently any AAA deals available for the services listed above, but we recommend checking your own account to see if they have any deals you can take advantage of before purchasing a ticket.

Although we do our absolute best to provide all the details you'll need to enjoy a Chicago bus tour, there's always a chance that we might miss something.

That's one of many reasons that we have a Chicago Travel Tips group on Facebook, where travelers can ask questions about any tour or activity of interest.

Here are a few of the more helpful comments we found:

When it comes to the hop on hop off tours, most people agree that they're a very useful way to become familiar with the city and figure out where everything is located.

That said, there are some things you might want to consider before purchasing tickets, as this next comment reveals.

As one of our group members notes, when you're using a tourist pass to get tickets for a hop on hop off bus tour, chances are it will only be a 1 day ticket.

Even if you get a 2 day pass, it's very likely the bus tour ticket will only be valid for 1 day.

Other Chicago bus tours are more hit and miss when it comes to the reviews. While some people really enjoyed the Mob and Crime tour, others felt it wasn't anything special.

Thankfully, this isn't an extremely common sentiment, and it does seem that a majority of people who took this tour had a lot of fun.

For even more helpful advice and suggestions, make sure to check our Chicago Travel Tips Facebook Group and consider leaving a comment if you can't find the information you want.

And much, much more

About the author.

Stephen Pickhardt

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.