An open-top double-decker bus with recorded audio commentary (not a live guide) — you can ride the full loop for an overview, or hop off at any stop, spend as long as you want, and catch a later bus to continue.
Three main tiers by how many days the ticket is valid: a 24-hour "Discover" ticket, a 48-hour "Essential" ticket, and a 72-hour "Explore" ticket — longer tickets cost more but give you more days to spread the stops out.
The 48-hour and 72-hour tickets add a free self-guided walking tour through Big Bus's companion app, plus a free date change if your plans shift. A river cruise and the 360 Chicago observatory are separate paid add-ons bundled into specific combo tickets, not included automatically.
Unlike a boat tour, this doesn't shut down for winter — the buses add a clear canopy over the open top deck in colder months so the route keeps running.
The official route map wasn't fully accessible while researching this page, so treat this as the stops we could independently confirm — not necessarily the complete list. Check the live route map when you book for the full current stop order.
Near 98 E Wacker Dr — the tour's main starting point.
319 W Jackson Blvd, directly across from the Skydeck entrance.
S Michigan Ave & E Adams St — one shared stop for both.
425 E McFetridge Dr, next to the Field Museum's parking area — also your jumping-off point for the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium.
600 E Grand Ave, at the pier's north end.
The route's stops line up well with the city's biggest attraction cluster — use it to get between the Skydeck, the Art Institute, Museum Campus, and Navy Pier without driving or parking, then fold in a CityPASS discount at whichever museums you actually stop at.
See Real CityPASS & Attraction Discounts →
Chicago