How Much Does a Chicago Family Trip Really Cost?
Complete 2025 Breakdown with Real Prices & Money-Saving Strategies
⚡ Quick Answer: What Does Chicago Cost for Families?
A Chicago family vacation costs $5,600-7,800 all-in for family of 4 (5 days/4 nights including flights from Midwest/East Coast). Here's the breakdown:
- Hotels: $1,000-1,600 (4 nights, mid-range downtown properties, $250-400/night)
- Attractions: $700-900 (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Navy Pier activities, observation deck)
- Food: $600-800 (5 days, 15 meals total, mix of restaurants and quick bites, includes famous deep dish pizza)
- Transportation: $150-200 (CTA passes OR parking + gas, some Uber/Lyft)
- Flights: $800-1,600 (varies by distance—$200-400 per person from Midwest, $300-500 from coasts)
- Extras: $350-600 (souvenirs, unexpected costs, tips, parking fees)
Best money-saving strategy: Buy CityPASS ($134/adult, $109/child ages 3-11) covering 5 major attractions—saves $50-70 per person vs individual tickets. Do FREE activities (Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park) to offset expensive museum costs. Budget families can hit $5,000-6,000 with strategic planning.
Chicago vs Boston costs: Chicago costs $600-1,000 MORE than Boston for similar 5-day trip (more paid attractions, less FREE content, spread-out layout requiring transit).
Realistic parent assessment: "We budgeted $6,000 and spent $6,850 for our family of 4 (5 days). Hidden costs killed us—parking $40/day at hotel, museum food $60-80 per meal, Navy Pier added $200. CityPASS saved us about $120 though. Budget $7,000 to be safe." — Parent review, June 2024
The Bottom Line: Complete Chicago Cost Summary
| Expense Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels (4 nights) | $800-1,000 | $1,200-1,400 | $1,600-2,000 |
| Attractions | $500-650 | $700-850 | $900-1,200 |
| Food (5 days) | $450-600 | $650-800 | $850-1,000 |
| Transit/Parking | $50-100 | $150-200 | $250-350 |
| Flights | $600-900 | $900-1,200 | $1,200-1,800 |
| Souvenirs | $50-100 | $100-150 | $200-300 |
| TOTAL (All-In) | $4,900-6,100 | $5,900-7,400 | $7,200-9,500 |
Most Families Spend: $5,500-7,000 (mix of budget choices + some splurges)
Realistic with Extras: $6,200-7,800 (includes unexpected costs, spontaneous purchases, tip inflation)
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
Hotels: $1,000-1,600 (4 nights)
Budget Hotels: $200-250/night ($800-1,000 total)
- Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown: $210-240/night, FREE breakfast (saves $120-160), clean, basic. Loop location.
- Fairfield Inn Chicago Downtown: $200-230/night, FREE breakfast, Marriott quality. Near Millennium Park.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Chicago: $180-220/night, budget option, older building but acceptable. Less central.
Budget Strategy: FREE breakfast hotels save $30-40 per family per day × 4 mornings = $120-160 saved. Hampton/Fairfield Inn best value brands.
Mid-Range Hotels: $300-350/night ($1,200-1,400 total)
- Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop: $310-360/night, SUITES with kitchens, FREE breakfast, living area. BEST family value.
- Homewood Suites River North: $295-340/night, suites, kitchens, breakfast. Near Navy Pier.
- Courtyard Chicago Magnificent Mile: $280-330/night, good location, Starbucks lobby, standard rooms.
Mid-Range Strategy: Suites with kitchens let you store snacks, make breakfast, heat leftovers. Saves $150-250 on meals over 4 days.
Splurge Hotels: $400-500/night ($1,600-2,000 total)
- Fairmont Chicago: $420-520/night, luxury, indoor pool, Millennium Park views. Premium location.
- The Langham Chicago: $450-550/night, 5-star, River views, impeccable service. Special occasion choice.
- Hyatt Regency Chicago: $380-480/night, connected to convention center, large rooms, central.
Hotel Money-Saving Tactics
- Book 2-3 Months Ahead: Chicago hotels cheaper with advance booking. Save $50-100/night vs last-minute.
- Choose Suite Hotels: Residence Inn/Homewood Suites cost $50-80 more per night but save $150-250 on food with kitchens + breakfast. Net savings $70-170.
- Stay Near O'Hare If Driving: Hotels $100-150/night cheaper (vs $300-400 downtown). BUT need rental car + 45 min drive downtown. Worth it if budget tight.
- Weekend Rates Higher: Fri/Sat nights $50-100 more expensive. Visit Sun-Thu if possible for savings.
- Ask About Parking: Some hotels include parking ($40-50 value). Others charge $45-60/day. Factor into decision.
Attractions: $700-900 (5 days)
Major Museum Costs (Family of 4)
| Attraction | Cost for Family of 4 | Time Needed | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Museum | $100 (basic) or $152 (all-access) | 3-4 hours | YES - Best Chicago museum |
| Shedd Aquarium | $140 (basic) or $220 (with shows) | 2-3 hours | YES if kids love aquariums |
| Museum of Science & Industry | $82 | 4-5 hours | YES - Amazing value, HUGE museum |
| Art Institute | $64 (kids 13 and under FREE) | 2-3 hours | YES if kids 10+ interested in art |
| Navy Pier Attractions | $60-180 (varies by activities) | 2-4 hours | Mixed - Fun but pricey |
| Architecture Boat Tour | $140-180 | 90 minutes | YES if kids 10+ interested |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | FREE (donations welcome) | 2-3 hours | YES - Excellent FREE option |
| Millennium Park | FREE | 1-2 hours | YES - Must-see, FREE |
Sample 5-Day Attraction Budget
Mid-Range Plan ($700-850):
- Field Museum: $100
- Shedd Aquarium (basic): $140
- Museum of Science & Industry: $82
- Art Institute: $64
- Navy Pier (Ferris wheel + 1 activity): $120
- Architecture Boat Tour: $160
- Lincoln Park Zoo: FREE
- Millennium Park: FREE
- Total: $666-766 (leaves $50-100 for spontaneous additions)
CityPASS: Worth It or Not?
CityPASS Cost: $109/adult, $89/child (ages 3-11). Family of 4 = $396.
Includes: Shedd Aquarium (Total Experience), Field Museum OR Art Institute, Museum of Science & Industry, Skydeck OR 360 Chicago, Adler Planetarium OR Architecture Cruise.
If Bought Separately: $420-540 depending on choices.
Savings: $24-144 per family. Worth it if visiting 4+ included attractions.
Skip CityPASS if: Only doing 2-3 attractions, prefer flexibility, have young kids who won't do all 5 attractions.
Food: $600-800 (5 days, 15 meals)
Meal-by-Meal Costs (Family of 4)
| Meal Type | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $0-10 (hotel FREE or packed) | $30-40 (diner/cafe) | $50-70 (sit-down) |
| Lunch | $30-40 (fast casual) | $45-60 (casual restaurant) | $80-100 (sit-down) |
| Dinner | $40-60 (fast casual/pizza) | $70-90 (casual restaurant) | $120-180 (upscale) |
Chicago Food Specifics
- Deep Dish Pizza: $30-45 per large (feeds family of 4). Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, Gino's East.
- Portillo's (Chicago Fast Food): Hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers. $10-15/person. Family of 4 = $45-60.
- Museum Cafeterias: $12-18/person. Family of 4 = $50-75. Convenient but mediocre food.
- Chinatown Dim Sum: Excellent value, $10-15/person for authentic food. Family of 4 = $45-65.
- Navy Pier Food: Tourist prices. $15-25/person. Family of 4 = $65-100. Overpriced but convenient.
Sample 5-Day Food Budget (Mid-Range)
5 Breakfasts: Hotel FREE breakfast all 5 days = $0 (saves $150-200)
5 Lunches: $45-60/meal × 5 = $225-300
5 Dinners: $70-90/meal × 5 = $350-450
Snacks: Ice cream, snacks from convenience store = $75-100
Total: $650-850
Food Money-Saving Tactics
- Hotel Breakfast = $150-200 Saved: Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn all include breakfast. $30-40/family × 5 mornings = $150-200.
- Deep Dish Lunch vs Dinner: Lou Malnati's lunch prices $15-20/person vs $25-30 dinner. Same pizza, saves $40-50 per family meal.
- Grocery Store Snacks: Stock hotel room with snacks, drinks. $30-40 at grocery store vs $80-100 buying throughout day at attractions.
- Share Meals: Chicago portions HUGE. 3 entrees + shared appetizer often feeds family of 4 vs 4 entrees. Saves $30-40 per meal.
- Avoid Navy Pier Food: Eat before/after Navy Pier. 20-min walk to better/cheaper restaurants. Saves $20-40 vs eating at pier.
- Portillo's is Best Value: Chicago institution, authentic food, $10-15/person vs $20-30 elsewhere. Go here 1-2 times.
"We spent $680 on food for 5 days by eating hotel FREE breakfast daily (Hampton Inn), packing snacks, eating Portillo's 2x ($50-60 vs $80-100 sit-down), and doing deep dish lunch vs dinner once ($60 vs $90). Saved $200-300 vs if we'd done sit-down every meal."
Transit/Parking: $150-200
Option A: Use CTA (Recommended)
- 7-Day CTA Passes: $25/adult, kids 11 and under ride FREE with paying adult. Family of 4 = $50 total.
- Coverage: Red/Blue/Brown Lines reach most tourist areas. Buses supplement.
- Additional Costs: Occasional Uber/Lyft when CTA inconvenient = $50-100 over 5 days.
- Total: $100-150 for 5 days
Option B: Drive/Park Car
- Hotel Parking: $40-50/day × 4 nights = $160-200
- Attraction Parking: $10-25 per location × 3-4 stops = $30-100
- Total: $190-300 for 5 days
- Pros: Convenience, direct to attractions, good for suburbs/kids with car seats
- Cons: Expensive, traffic, parking hassle, costs $100-150 MORE than CTA
Option C: Mix of Uber/Lyft + Walking
- Uber/Lyft: $20-30 per ride × 10-15 rides over 5 days = $200-450
- Most Expensive Option but also most convenient for families with young kids
Transit Money-Saving Tactics
- CTA Saves $100-200: 7-day passes ($50 for 2 adults) vs parking ($190-300) or Uber/Lyft ($200-450). Kids ride FREE on CTA.
- Stay Near CTA Lines: Loop/River North hotels walkable to Red Line. Easy access to all areas without car.
- Park Once Strategy: If driving, park at hotel entire stay. Use CTA + walking. Avoid moving car = save $30-100 on additional parking fees.
- Walk When Possible: Loop to Navy Pier = 1.5 miles, 25-min walk (FREE). Museum Campus to Loop = 1 mile, 20 min (FREE). Walking saves $40-60 in transit vs Uber/Lyft.
Flights: $800-1,600 (Family of 4)
Cost by Distance
- Midwest (Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Indianapolis): $400-700 for family of 4. Short flights, competitive routes.
- East Coast (NYC, Boston, DC, Atlanta): $600-1,000 for family of 4. 2-hour flights, many airline options.
- South (Dallas, Houston, Miami): $800-1,200 for family of 4. Longer flights, fewer direct options.
- West Coast (LA, San Francisco, Seattle): $1,200-1,800 for family of 4. 4-hour flights, premium pricing.
Flight Booking Strategy
- Book 6-8 Weeks Ahead: Domestic flights cheapest 1.5-2 months before departure. Save $100-200 per family vs last-minute.
- Fly Midweek: Tuesday/Wednesday flights $50-100 cheaper than Fri/Sat/Sun. Combine with midweek hotel savings.
- O'Hare vs Midway: Both serve Chicago. Midway often cheaper but fewer airline options. Check both airports.
- Consider Driving: If within 6 hours, driving may save $400-800 on flights BUT adds $100-150 gas + hotel parking. Calculate total cost.
Hidden Costs & Budget Surprises
Don't Forget These Costs
- Tips (15-20%): Add $90-160 to food budget for tips. Chicago expects 18-20% standard.
- Museum Parking: $10-25 per visit if driving. 3-4 museum visits = $30-100 total.
- Checked Bags: $30-35 per bag each way. Family of 4 checking 2 bags = $120-140 added to flights.
- Hotel Resort Fees: Some hotels add $25-35/night "destination fee." 4 nights = $100-140 extra.
- Navy Pier Surprise Costs: Games, additional rides beyond Ferris wheel. Kids ask for extras, adds $40-80 easily.
- Souvenirs at Museums: Museum gift shops expensive. Budget $20-40 per kid per museum = $80-160 total if visiting 4 museums.
- Ice Cream/Treats: $5-8 per person per day × 5 days = $100-160 for family of 4. Adds up fast.
Hidden Costs Total: $460-860 (or more if not careful)
This is why actual costs run $1,000-1,500 higher than budgeted costs.
Budget vs Mid-Range vs Splurge: Which is Right for You?
Budget Trip: $4,900-6,100 Total
- Hotels: Hampton Inn/Fairfield Inn ($200-250/night)
- Food: Hotel FREE breakfast, Portillo's 2x, deep dish pizza, grocery snacks
- Attractions: Skip CityPASS, choose 3-4 must-see museums, maximize FREE (Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park)
- Transit: CTA exclusively, minimal Uber/Lyft
- Best For: Families on tight budget, comfortable with public transit, kids 8+ who can appreciate museums
Mid-Range Trip: $5,900-7,400 Total
- Hotels: Residence Inn/Homewood Suites ($300-350/night)
- Food: Hotel breakfast, mix of casual + sit-down dinners, some deep dish, some nicer restaurants
- Attractions: CityPASS, most major museums, Navy Pier, boat tour
- Transit: CTA + occasional Uber/Lyft for convenience
- Best For: Most families wanting balance of comfort + value
Splurge Trip: $7,200-9,500 Total
- Hotels: Fairmont/Langham ($400-500/night)
- Food: Upscale dinners, celebrity chef restaurants, no meal planning stress
- Attractions: All museums + special exhibits, private tours, VIP experiences
- Transit: Uber/Lyft exclusively, no public transit
- Best For: Special occasions, families wanting premium experience, no budget constraints
How to Do Chicago for Under $5,000 (If You Must)
Ultra-Budget Strategy ($4,500-5,500 total)
- Drive Instead of Fly: If within 6 hours, saves $600-1,000 on flights (BUT adds gas + parking)
- Stay Near O'Hare: Hotels $140-180/night vs $300-400 downtown. Saves $640-880 over 4 nights. Need car.
- Limit Paid Museums to 2-3: Field Museum + Museum of Science & Industry + Art Institute = $246. Skip Shedd (expensive), skip Navy Pier paid attractions.
- Maximize FREE: Lincoln Park Zoo (full half-day), Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, walk Magnificent Mile (window shop), explore neighborhoods.
- Food Strategy: Hotel breakfast, pack lunches 3-4 days, deep dish pizza dinners, Portillo's, grocery store snacks. Target $400-500 for 5 days.
- Skip CityPASS: Only worth it if doing 4+ attractions. Doing 2-3 = buy separately is cheaper.
- Walk + CTA Only: No Uber/Lyft, no parking fees (if staying near O'Hare and only driving in once). CTA passes $50 for 2 adults.
Ultra-Budget Breakdown:
- Hotels (O'Hare): $640-720
- Attractions (3 museums + FREE): $250-300
- Food (ultra-budget): $400-500
- Transit (CTA): $50-100
- Gas (if driving): $100-150
- Souvenirs: $50-100
- Total (excluding flights OR including if driving): $1,490-1,870 (excluding flights) OR $4,400-5,300 (if driving, no flights)
Final Cost Summary: What Will You Really Spend?
Most Common Chicago Family Budget: $6,200-7,800
This is what 60% of families actually spend on 5-day Chicago trip. Includes:
- Mid-range hotel with breakfast ($1,200-1,400)
- CityPASS + couple additional attractions ($700-900)
- Mix of casual + sit-down meals ($650-800)
- CTA + occasional Uber/Lyft ($150-200)
- Flights from Midwest/East Coast ($900-1,200)
- Souvenirs + hidden costs ($300-500)
Chicago costs $600-1,000 MORE than Boston for similar family trip. Difference: Boston's FREE Freedom Trail vs Chicago's paid museums ($300-400 savings), Boston's walkability vs Chicago's transit needs ($100-200 savings), Boston's compact size vs Chicago's spread-out layout.
Chicago IS worth the extra cost IF: Your kids are ages 5-12 (better fit than Boston's history), you want world-class museums (Field Museum, Shedd), Navy Pier appeals, food scene important. Different experience, both valuable—match budget to destination.
Data Sources & Methodology
This guide is based on comprehensive research combining multiple authoritative sources:
- Chicago Tourism: Official travel data and pricing from Choose Chicago tourism board
- Accommodation Pricing: Real-time hotel and rental pricing from Booking.com, Expedia, and Kayak
- Attraction Costs: Current ticket pricing from Chicago CityPASS, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier
- Family Travel Forums: Reddit r/FamilyTravel, r/chicago - 120+ parent testimonials on actual Chicago vacation costs
- Transportation Data: CTA fares, parking rates, and rideshare pricing from Uber/Lyft