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

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.

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.

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

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!