About Chicago
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States and the fifth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approximately 9.62 million residents according to the 2020 census and is the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in the country and part of the fourth-largest combined statistical area in the United States, spanning 19 counties in three states and with a population of nearly 10 million. Chicago is the county seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.
Cheap flights to Chicago
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $637 from Dublin, travelling 20 Nov – 27 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Chicago5 Nov – 11 Nov · CHI from$778
- DUB Dublin to Chicago20 Nov – 27 Nov · CHI from$637
- EDI Edinburgh to Chicago9 Nov – 13 Nov · CHI from$808
- CPH Copenhagen to Chicago21 Apr – 28 Apr · ORD from$835
- PRG Prague to Chicago1 Jul – 29 Jul · ORD from$1,081
- MAN Manchester to Chicago26 Oct – 31 Oct · ORD from$818
- HEL Helsinki to Chicago18 Mar – 14 Jun · CHI from$1,091
- GLA Glasgow to Chicago16 Dec – 23 Dec · CHI from$1,158
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to ChicagoPlaces to visit in Chicago
-
Millennium Park
ParkThe downtown park home to the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture known as The Bean, the interactive Crown Fountain and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which hosts free summer concerts.
-
Art Institute of Chicago
MuseumA major art museum with Impressionist paintings, famous American works such as American Gothic and Nighthawks, and a large Modern Wing, located right next to Millennium Park.
-
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
LandmarkBoat tours along the Chicago River explain the city's skyscrapers and architectural history, offering one of the best ways to see downtown from a different angle.
-
Willis Tower
ViewpointAmong the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, with the Skydeck where glass boxes extend out from the building, letting visitors look straight down to the street far below.
-
Field Museum
Museum · 1 mi from centreA natural history museum on the lakefront known for SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex, plus exhibits on ancient Egypt, gems, evolution and cultures from around the world.
-
Navy Pier
Entertainment · 2 mi from centreA long pier on Lake Michigan with a giant Ferris wheel, restaurants, a children's museum and boat tours, plus fine views back toward the skyline from its eastern end.
-
Museum of Science and Industry
Museum · 7 mi from centreA large science museum in Hyde Park featuring a captured German submarine, a recreated coal mine and many hands-on exhibits, enough to fill most of a day.
-
Wrigley Field
Entertainment · 5 mi from centreThe historic home of the Chicago Cubs, with ivy-covered outfield walls and a hand-turned scoreboard, surrounded by the lively bars and rooftops of the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
Things to do in Chicago by type
56 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Tickets & Attraction Passes 19 experiences 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck - Ticket -
Cruise & Water Tours 15 experiences Architecture River Cruise -
City tours 14 experiences Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Shows, sports and special events 5 experiences Major League Baseball: Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field - Ticket -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Chicago Mobsters Gangsters Ghosts and Prohibition Tour -
Travel Services 3 experiences SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass
- 1-3 hours 28
- Flexible 5
- 3-6 hours 3
- Up to 1 hour 2
- Senior 2
- Youth 2
- Couples 2
- Families 2
- Wheelchair accessible 3
- Private 2
Top experiences in Chicago
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 56 available.
Chicago CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions
From $127 per adult
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck - Ticket
From $24 per adult
Skydeck Chicago - General Admission
From $38 per adult
Chicago Crime - Guided Bus Tour
From $41 per adult
Chicago Night Crime - Guided Bus Tour
From $45 per adult
Chicago: Fulton Market Donut Adventure with Tastings
From $57 per adult
Original Chicago Downtown Donut Tour
From $57 per adult
Flyover Chicago - Ticket
From $28 per adult
Field Museum of Natural History
From $26 per adult
Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $43 per adult
Special Offer Discount: Big Bus Chicago Combo: 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off and 360 Chicago Ticket
From $87 per adult
CityPASS Chicago C3® Program
From $107 per adult
Where to stay in Chicago
Popular hotels in Chicago, out of 675 properties you can book.
The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast
From $26 per night
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
From $151 per night
Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago
From $108 per night
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
From $324 per night
Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park
From $510 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O'Hare Rosemont
From $95 per night
Doubletree Hotel Chicago O'Hare Airport-Rosemont
From $95 per night
Eurostars Magnificent Mile
From $163 per night
Hyatt Place Chicago DowntownThe Loop
From $237 per night
Warwick Allerton Hotel
From $100 per night
The Chicago Hotel Collection Magnificent Mile
From $25 per night
Swissotel Chicago
From $1,032 per night
Best time to visit Chicago
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Chicago is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 76–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Chicago weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 64° 39° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 68° 57° 2%
- Fri 23 Oct 70° 57° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 71° 59° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 73° 58° 2%
- Mon 26 Oct 69° 48° 9%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Chicago
These are the airports closest to central Chicago. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MDW Midway International Airport9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
- ORD O'Hare International Airport16 mi (25 km) from the city centre
- PWK Chicago Executive Airport21 mi (34 km) from the city centre
- DPA DuPage Airport32 mi (51 km) from the city centre
Getting around Chicago
Navigating Chicago is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the whole city. Standard blocks, of 100 addresses each, are roughly 1/8th of a mile (200 meters) long. (Hence, a mile is equivalent to a street number difference of 800.) Each street is assigned a number based on its distance from the zero point of the address system, the intersection of State Street and Madison Street. A street with a W (west) or E (east) number runs east-west, while a street with a N (north) or S (south) number runs north-south.
By public transit
The best way to see Chicago is by public transit. It is efficient in terms of price, travel time, and safety. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) oversees the various public transit agencies in the Chicagoland area. You can plan trips online with the CTA travel planner or get assistance by calling 312-836-7000. The RTA also has an official partnership with Google Maps, which can provide routes with public transit.
CTA
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates trains and buses in the city of Chicago and some of the suburbs. Put simply, the CTA is Chicago. It is a marvel and a beast, convenient, frustrating, and irreplaceable. Even if you have the option of driving while you're in town, no experience of Chicago is complete without a trip on the CTA. However, as of October 2026, CTA trains and buses do not accept non-American credit cards. Not even at the payment kiosks.
Metra and South Shore
Metra's Electric Line provides service to the convention center (McCormick Place), Hyde Park (Museum of Science and Industry, University of Chicago), and the Far Southeast Side's Pullman Historic District and Rainbow Beach. The Electric Line is fast, taking at most 15 minutes to reach Hyde Park from the Loop.
Chicago travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Chicago is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 76–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Chicago?
July is usually the warmest month in Chicago, with average highs of 82°F (28°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 18°F (-8°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 137 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Chicago?
Midway International Airport (MDW) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (15 km) from the centre of Chicago. Other nearby airports include O'Hare International Airport (ORD, 16 mi) and Chicago Executive Airport (PWK, 21 mi).
How much are flights to Chicago?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Chicago in the last 30 days was $637 from Dublin, travelling 20 Nov – 27 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $637.
What time zone is Chicago in?
Chicago uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Chicago?
Navigating Chicago is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the whole city. Standard blocks, of 100 addresses each, are roughly 1/8th of a mile (200 meters) long.
What are the best places to visit in Chicago?
Top sights in Chicago include Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Architecture River Cruise and Willis Tower. The downtown park home to the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture known as The Bean, the interactive Crown Fountain and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which hosts free summer concerts.
What are the top things to do in Chicago?
Popular experiences you can book in Chicago include Chicago CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck - Ticket and Skydeck Chicago - General Admission. Destina Holidays offers 56 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Chicago?
The most popular types of experiences in Chicago are tickets & attraction passes (19), cruise & water tours (15), city tours (14) and shows, sports and special events (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Chicago?
Popular areas for hotels in Chicago include Downtown, O'hare Airport and Grant Park. Well-reviewed options include The Chicago Hotel Collection Ambassador Gold Coast and Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago.
How many hotels can I book in Chicago?
Destina Holidays currently lists 675 properties in and around Chicago, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
