Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
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Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 48
The best way to orient yourself in Chicago on day one. Big Bus Chicago's open-top double-decker covers the city's 11 most important landmarks and neighbourhoods on a single, intelligently designed Red Route loop — with buses arriving every 20–30 minutes, audio commentary in English and Spanish, and the freedom to hop off and explore wherever you like.
Choose from a 24-hour Discover pass, 48-hour Essential pass (with Vox walking tour), or a 72-hour Explore pass. All include the Red Route loop. Book your Big Bus Chicago tickets on Thrillark and start exploring the Windy City.
Choose from a 24-hour Discover pass, 48-hour Essential pass (with Vox walking tour), or a 72-hour Explore pass. All include the Red Route loop. Book your Big Bus Chicago tickets on Thrillark and start exploring the Windy City.
Key Highlights
- 11 strategically placed stops covering Chicago's best landmarks and neighbourhoods
- Chicago Riverwalk (Stop 1), Skydeck/Willis Tower, Millennium Park & Art Institute
- Grant Park, Adler Planetarium, Museum Campus (Field Museum + Shedd Aquarium)
- Navy Pier, Water Tower & Magnificent Mile, 360 Chicago, River North
- Open-top double-decker — panoramic views of Chicago's world-famous skyline
- Audio commentary in English and Spanish — synchronized to location
- Buses every 20–30 minutes — full loop takes approximately 2 hours
- Optional Vox self-guided walking tours (Essential & Explore tickets) — Architecture, Riverwalk, Public Art & more
About Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Chicago is one of the world's great architectural cities — and the only way to truly understand its skyline is to see it from multiple perspectives. Big Bus Chicago gives you the elevated view from an open-top double-decker, moving between the city's defining neighbourhoods while an expertly crafted audio commentary brings the buildings, bridges, and streets to life.
The Red Route is a masterclass in efficient sightseeing. Starting at the Chicago Riverwalk (Stop 1, 98 E Wacker Drive), it sweeps south past Willis Tower and the Skydeck, down to Millennium Park (The Bean, Art Institute of Chicago), across to the Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium), along the lakefront to Navy Pier, and back north via the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower, 360 Chicago, and River North. The full loop takes about two hours. With buses every 20–30 minutes, you can hop off at any stop, explore for as long as you like, and rejoin the route whenever ready.
Essential and Explore ticket holders also get access to Vox self-guided audio walking tours via the Big Bus app — choose from Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and more for a richer ground-level experience at each stop. Book your Big Bus Chicago tickets on Thrillark and see the Windy City on your own terms.
The Red Route is a masterclass in efficient sightseeing. Starting at the Chicago Riverwalk (Stop 1, 98 E Wacker Drive), it sweeps south past Willis Tower and the Skydeck, down to Millennium Park (The Bean, Art Institute of Chicago), across to the Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium), along the lakefront to Navy Pier, and back north via the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower, 360 Chicago, and River North. The full loop takes about two hours. With buses every 20–30 minutes, you can hop off at any stop, explore for as long as you like, and rejoin the route whenever ready.
Essential and Explore ticket holders also get access to Vox self-guided audio walking tours via the Big Bus app — choose from Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and more for a richer ground-level experience at each stop. Book your Big Bus Chicago tickets on Thrillark and see the Windy City on your own terms.
Inclusions
- Admission on the Big Bus Chicago Sightseeing Bus
- Audio Tour - English and Spanish
Exclusions
- Admission to any attractions along the route (tickets sold separately)
- Food and beverages
- Hotel transfers
- Luggage not permitted on board
Insiders' Tips
Board at Stop 1 (Chicago Riverwalk, 98 E Wacker Drive) at opening for the best seats on the top deck. Download the Big Bus app before arriving for live bus arrival times — this saves significant waiting time at stops. The Museum Campus stop (Stop 6) is the best one for a full-day visit: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium are all within walking distance. Do the full loop on your first ride without hopping off — it gives you an excellent overview of the entire city before you decide where to spend your time.
Additional Information
Stop List (Red Route)
- Stop 1 - Chicago Riverwalk
- Stop 2 - Skydeck Chicago and Willis Tower
- Stop 3 - Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago
- Stop 4 - Hilton Chicago and Grant Park
- Stop 5 - Adler Planetarium
- Stop 6 - Museum Campus
- Stop 7 - Sheraton Grand Chicago
- Stop 8 - Navy Pier
- Stop 9 - Water Tower and The Magnificent Mile
- Stop 10 - 360 Chicago
- Stop 11 - Hard Rock Cafe
- Wear warm clothes
- Daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Children under the age of 3 enjoy free entry
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- All buses are wheelchair and stroller accessible on the lower deck.
- Upper deck not accessible for wheelchair users.
- One wheelchair per bus maximum.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations accepted up to 24 hours before your travel date for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours or no-shows will not be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the full loop take?
The complete Red Route loop takes approximately 2 hours from Stop 1 back to Stop 1, without hopping off. Buses arrive at each stop every 20–30 minutes.
What is the Vox walking tour?
Vox walking tours are self-guided audio experiences available in the Big Bus app, included with Essential (48hr) and Explore (72hr) tickets. They are separate from the on-bus commentary and designed to be used on foot at specific stops. Available topics include Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and more.
Which stop is best for the Museum Campus?
Stop 6 (Museum Campus) drops you directly adjacent to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium — all three are within a short walk of each other. This is the best stop for a half-day or full-day visit to the lakefront museums.
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