Chicago Attraction Passes — CityPASS, Explorer & All-Inclusive Compared
Chicago has four main multi-attraction passes, and the right one depends on how many sights you'll see — a fixed CityPASS bundle, a pick-a-number Explorer or Essentials Pass, or an unlimited All-Inclusive Pass.
Available
4 options
Avg. rating
4.6 - 2,925 reviews
From
$84 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Attraction Passes & CityPASS: what to know before booking
Chicago has four main multi-attraction passes, and the right one depends on how many sights you'll see — a fixed CityPASS bundle, a pick-a-number Explorer or Essentials Pass, or an unlimited All-Inclusive Pass.
- Availability
- 4 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $84 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.6 stars across 2,925 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Passes cover attractions across downtown Chicago — the Loop, Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, and the lakefront Museum Campus
- Best time
- Buy before arrival and front-load the priciest sights (the decks, museums, and cruise) to maximise the discount
- Ticket note
- Validity varies by pass — fixed-day for CityPASS and All-Inclusive, or a usage window for the choose-your-own passes
Attraction Passes & CityPASS in Chicago
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Everything you should know before you book
Chicago's big-ticket attractions add up fast — the Skydeck, 360 Chicago, the Art Institute, the Field Museum, and the architecture cruise are $30–55 each at the gate — so a pass usually pays for itself by the third stop. The Chicago CityPASS bundles a fixed set of top sights at a flat discount, while the Explorer Pass and the Essentials Pass let you choose a set number of attractions (often any 3) from a wider menu, which suits travellers who want flexibility over a fixed list.
Match the pass to your pace, not the other way around. The All-Inclusive Pass is the unlimited option that rewards a packed, attraction-heavy two or three days; the Essentials Pass 'choose 3' is the lightest pick for a short trip. Every pass on this page is bookable with instant confirmation, and most include the observation decks, the marquee museums, and a cruise — the exact line-up and validity window are listed on each one.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chicago pass is best value?
It depends on how many attractions you'll visit. The CityPASS is best if you'll hit its fixed bundle of top sights; the Explorer or Essentials 'choose 3' passes suit a lighter or more flexible plan; the All-Inclusive Pass rewards an attraction-packed few days.
How many attractions do I need to visit for a pass to pay off?
Usually three. Chicago's headline sights run $30–55 each at the gate, so most passes break even by the third attraction and save money from there.
Do Chicago passes include the architecture cruise and observation decks?
Most do — the Skydeck, 360 Chicago, and an architecture or lake cruise are common inclusions, along with the Art Institute and Field Museum. Check each pass's exact line-up on its listing, as menus differ.