Planning a trip to Chicago? You’ve got options-lots of them. But when it comes to saving money on attractions, not all passes are created equal. Go City, CityPASS, and buying tickets à la carte each have their own rules, perks, and traps. If you’re trying to figure out which one actually saves you cash without wasting time or money, you’re in the right place.
What Each Pass Actually Covers
Go City Chicago lets you pick from over 20 attractions, including the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Skydeck Chicago, and the Art Institute. You can choose a 2-, 3-, 5-, or 7-day pass, and you don’t have to use the days consecutively. That’s useful if you want to spread things out or take a rest day. But here’s the catch: you only get into each attraction once. No repeat visits. And you can’t upgrade mid-trip if you change your mind.
CityPASS is more locked-in. It gives you access to five specific attractions: Skydeck Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and either the Art Institute or the Lincoln Park Zoo (you pick one). You have nine consecutive days to use all five. No flexibility on which ones you get-just the five. But here’s why it works: those five are the most popular, and buying them separately would cost over $200. CityPASS bundles them for $119. That’s a 40% discount right off the bat.
À la carte means you buy each ticket individually. You’re not locked into anything. You can go to the Willis Tower one day, skip the planetarium, and hit the Chicago History Museum the next. But prices add up fast. Skydeck alone is $32. The Shedd Aquarium is $34. The Field Museum? $28. Add in the Art Institute ($25) and a boat tour ($30), and you’re already at $149 before even considering discounts or combo deals.
Who Should Buy Go City?
Go City is the wild card. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to explore offbeat spots, Go City gives you access to places most passes ignore. Think: The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, or even a Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruise. It’s perfect if you’ve been to the big-name spots before and want to dig deeper.
But if you’re a first-time visitor, Go City can backfire. You might end up paying for attractions you don’t really care about just to make the pass worth it. I’ve seen travelers waste half a day at the Illinois Railway Museum because they had a ticket they “had to use.” Don’t force yourself to do things just because you paid for them.
Why CityPASS Is the Smartest Bet for Most People
CityPASS isn’t flashy. It doesn’t offer 20 choices. But it nails the essentials. The five attractions it includes are the ones 80% of tourists say they want to see. And the price? $119. That’s cheaper than Skydeck alone at $32. No hidden fees. No expiration confusion. Just five tickets, nine days to use them, and a booklet with skip-the-line access at each spot.
Real talk: if you’re visiting Chicago for three to five days and you’re not a hardcore museum person, CityPASS is the easiest win. You’ll save money, save time, and skip the ticket lines. I’ve stood in those lines. They’re long. CityPASS gets you in fast.
When À La Carte Makes Sense
Buying tickets one at a time isn’t dumb-it’s strategic. If you’re staying longer than a week, or if you’re traveling with someone who hates museums, you might only want two or three big attractions. Maybe you’re into architecture and just want the river tour and the Skydeck. Or maybe you’re a foodie and would rather spend your budget on deep-dish pizza than a planetarium ticket.
Also, keep an eye out for discounts. The Chicago Tourism Board sometimes runs promotions. Local residents get discounts at museums. If you’re a student or senior, you can save 20-30% on individual tickets. And if you’re visiting during off-season (November to February), many places drop prices by 15-25%.
Comparison Table: Go City vs CityPASS vs À La Carte
| Feature | Go City | CityPASS | À La Carte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Attractions | 20+ (choose 2, 3, 5, or 7) | 5 fixed | Unlimited |
| Best For | Repeat visitors, niche interests | First-timers, time-savers | Flexible travelers, budget control |
| Price Range | $129-$219 | $119 | $25-$34 per attraction |
| Validity | Days don’t need to be consecutive | 9 consecutive days | Each ticket expires on date of purchase |
| Skip-the-Line Access | Yes (most) | Yes (all five) | Only if you book online |
| Best Value | Only if you use 5+ attractions | Yes for top 5 | Only if you visit 1-3 |
Hidden Costs and Common Mistakes
Passes sound simple, but people get tripped up. Here’s what to watch for:
- Go City’s “choose your own” trap: If you pick a 5-attraction pass but only use three, you’ve wasted $60. Don’t overbuy.
- CityPASS expiration: The nine-day window starts the first time you use it. If you arrive on a Tuesday and use Skydeck that day, you have until the next Wednesday. Plan accordingly.
- À la carte parking and fees: Some attractions charge extra for parking or timed entry tickets. Skydeck requires a reservation, even if you have a pass. Book ahead.
- Weather delays: Chicago winters are brutal. If you’re visiting in January, don’t assume you’ll be able to walk to the Art Institute. Have backup indoor plans.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Pass
- Buy your pass online before you leave home. You’ll save 5-10% and avoid ticket booth lines.
- Use the official apps. Go City and CityPASS both have apps that show real-time wait times and map out nearby attractions.
- Start early. The Shedd Aquarium opens at 9 a.m. By 11, it’s packed. Get there first.
- Combine your pass with public transit. The Ventra card is $5 for a 24-hour pass. Use it to hop between museums instead of paying for Ubers.
- Check for free admission days. The Art Institute is free for Illinois residents on certain days. You won’t need a pass if you’re local.
Final Decision: Which One Should You Pick?
Here’s the quick guide:
- Go City if you’ve been before, love obscure museums, or plan to stay longer than five days.
- CityPASS if this is your first trip, you want to see the top sights, and you’re short on time.
- À la carte if you’re picky, traveling with kids who hate museums, or you’re on a tight budget and only want one or two big experiences.
Most visitors-especially first-timers-should go with CityPASS. It’s the only one that guarantees savings on the attractions people actually care about. Go City is great if you’re a museum hopper. À la carte works if you’re not a tourist in the traditional sense. But if you just want to see Chicago’s best without overthinking it, CityPASS is the quiet winner.
Is CityPASS worth it for a 3-day trip?
Yes. CityPASS gives you five major attractions for $119. If you visit Skydeck, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum in three days, you’ve already saved over $60. You’ll also skip long lines, which saves time and stress. For a short trip, CityPASS is the most efficient option.
Can I upgrade my Go City pass if I want more attractions?
No. Go City doesn’t allow upgrades. If you pick a 3-attraction pass and decide you want to see five, you’ll need to buy separate tickets for the extras. Plan your choices ahead of time.
Do I need to print my CityPASS ticket?
No. CityPASS works through their mobile app. Just show the barcode on your phone at each attraction. But keep a screenshot saved offline in case you lose signal.
Are there student discounts on à la carte tickets?
Yes. Most major museums in Chicago offer 10-30% off for students with valid ID. The Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum all have discounted rates. Always ask before buying.
What if I don’t use all my Go City attractions?
You lose the value. Go City doesn’t refund unused entries. If you buy a 5-attraction pass but only visit three, you’ve paid for two that you didn’t use. Be honest with yourself about what you’ll actually do.
What to Do Next
Decide your priorities. Are you here to see the skyline? The art? The history? Pick the pass that matches your goals-not the one that sounds like the most fun. And if you’re still unsure, go with CityPASS. It’s the safest, simplest, and most cost-effective way to experience Chicago’s top sights.