Should I buy Go City’s Chicago pass or get individual tickets?

Let’s cut to the chase: the Chicago pass generally works out cheaper, handier and more fun than buying attraction tickets individually. Read on to find out why!

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Chicago skyline

So, you’re off to Chicago – great choice. Maybe you’re dreaming of swoonsome architectural sightseeing along the shoreline, glass-floored thrills at Skydeck, or a deep-dish-fueled day at the mighty Field Museum. But should you buy Go City’s Chicago pass or wing it with individual attraction tickets?

Spoiler alert: the Chicago pass wins out pretty much every time. But don’t just take out word for it. We’ve crunched the numbers on a two-day itinerary to prove it. Read on for all the pros and cons…

Firstly, what is a sightseeing pass?

Sightseeing passes – like Go City Chicago – are all-in-one digital tickets that give you access to a stack of top attractions, tours and activities for one upfront price. So, instead of making like it's 1993 and buying tickets one at a time as you go, you just scan your pass and breeze right in.

Just think of it as your access-all-areas VIP pass to the Windy City.

Get access to over 40 top Chicago attractions!

The pros of using a pass

One price, no surprises 

Chicago is full of surprises – great big shiny bean-shaped sculptures, haunted parks, Harry Potter butterbeer experiences – but your travel budget shouldn’t be one of them. With Go City Chicago, you pay one upfront price for access to dozens of attractions. So: no panicky “the Skydeck costs how much?!” moments. 

Real savings on must‑see spots

If your plan includes big hitters – like Skydeck Chicago, an architectural river cruise, the Big Bus, Navy Pier and the Museum of Science and Industry – the individual costs soon mount up. With the pass, you bundle them into one money-saving deal. And the more you see, the more you’ll save. 

You’ll discover hidden gems

Sure, you’ve already got the bucket-listers locked in (looking at you, 360 CHICAGO and Shedd Aquarium), but what about the fun places you might otherwise miss? The pass has your back, with lesser-spotted (but no less interesting) attractions including the quite excellent American Writers Museum, the International Museum of Surgical Science, and a tour of the storied Chicago Theatre.

Everything in one app

Emails are so last year. And you can leave the printouts at home too, old timer. Everything you need – maps, opening hours, booking links and tickets is all right there in the app. Just flash or scan your pass like a pro and you’re in. 

Complete flexibility 

Can’t choose between art or architecture; paddleboards or pizza? With a Go City Chicago pass, you can make your mind up on the hoof. Plus, the pass is valid for a year from purchase and only activates on first use – great news if you think itinerary-planning is for squares.

Heads-up: some of the more popular attractions require advance booking – it’s a breeze to book in the app and super flexible if your plans change.)

Perks, glorious perks

Some attractions on the pass come with added bonuses like skip-the-line entry, discounts at shops and restaurants or exclusive guided tours and other freebies. Hashtag winning at life.

Is the Chicago Skydeck on your list? It should be.

The pros of individual tickets 

We’re not biased (ok maybe we’re a little biased), so even we can admit that the Go City Chicago pass won’t be for everyone. If your whimsical approach to life means waiting to see where the day takes you and maybe, just maybe, shelling out for one or two museums along the way, then buying individual tickets may well suit you better.

Pay only for what you do

If your list includes one or two paid attractions and lots of aimless meanders along the lakefront, single tickets may well be the most economical route.

Minute‑by‑minute spontaneity

Prefer to decide on the spur of the moment? Buying on the spot means you won’t feel obliged to fill your day with activities just to get your money’s worth. That said, if you find yourself checking out two or three high‑demand attractions, you may well find that the combined per‑ticket prices creep up past the cost of a pass. And you’d be missing out on any additional pass perks too. Just sayin’.

Let's compare...

Feature   

Go City Chicago passes 

Individual tickets   

Upfront cost   

✔ Paid in advance, easier to budget   

✖ Pay per attraction, adds up fast   

Total savings   

✔ The more you see, the more you save   

✖ No guaranteed savings   

Convenience   

✔ One app, one QR code, done   

✖ Booking and managing multiple tickets separately   

Extra perks   

✔ Skip-the-line access, shop discounts, food offers, free guides   

✖ None – you get what you pay for   

Food & drink deals   

✔ Includes some options and offers   

✖ Not included   

Hidden gems   

✔ Curated line-up by local experts   

✔They’re out there, you’ll just need to do some more research   

Flexibility   

✔ Visit what you want, when you want   

✔ Freedom to pick day-by-day   

Risk of overspending   

✔ No nasty surprises   

✖ Harder to track daily spend   

How much are you actually saving? 

Here’s an example of what a standard 2-day Chicago itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

Day 1

  • Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower: $53
  • Architectural river cruise (popular operators run around): $48
  • Field Museum: $43

Day 2

  • Shedd Aquarium: $52
  • Navy Pier Ferris wheel and rides: $62
  • Pizza and drink combo at Bacci Pizza: $13

Plus, hop on and off the Big Bus for two days ($58) 

That’s a total cost of $329. Now compare that to a 2‑day Chicago All-Inclusive Pass, priced at $189. In this example, you’d save about $140 or around 42%*, and you might still have room to squeeze in another attraction or two along the way, potentially boosting your savings even further.

And don’t forget – the pass also includes the handy app, extra perks and peace of mind that you won’t need to buy expensive tickets on the fly. 

*prices accurate as of January 2026

Ready for your Chicago adventure?

Final verdict: should you go for the pass?

We reckon the pass is a safe bet. If you’re here for the observation decks, lake cruises and world-class museums, the cost of individual tickets will quickly mount up. Go City’s Chicago pass gives you all of that and more – it really is smart way to do it all, and it might just save you enough to treat your whole crew to a round of classic deep-dish Chicago pies.

Looking for more Chicago inspo? Get the lowdown on the Windy City’s top architectural sightseeing tours and pack your frisbee and a picnic for the best beaches in town.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. 

See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Assisted by AI
Freelance travel writer
Assisted by AI

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.This article was authored with the support of AI technology. The Go City team has reviewed this piece to ensure it meets our high standards for quality, accuracy and relevance.

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The Field Museum, home to SUE, the world’s largest and most complete T Rex ever found. Places to Eat Nearby You may want to opt for eating at the museum just for the view. Café Galileo offers a laid-back lunch and they have the best view of the Chicago skyline. They provide prepared options from soup, to sandwiches, to salads, beverages and desserts. There’s a kid’s menu and all of the prices are pretty reasonable considering you’re in Chicago! Other nearby options include: Del Campo’s Tacos on 12st beach and Eleven City Diner, an American Delicatessen. Both are located within a mile of the museum. Need to Know Hours Summer: Daily, 9:30 am-6:00 pm Winter: Daily, 9:30 am-4:00 pm Closings: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, On rare occasions this attraction closes early due to private functions. Please visit www.adlerplanetarium.org for a full list of hours and show times. 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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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