Guide · 13 Places
Chicago
United States
Before You Go
May to September offers the best weather with temperatures from 15-27°C (59-81°F) and long days - perfect for lake activities and outdoor festivals. July and August are peak season with warm weather. October brings beautiful fall colors. November to April is cold (0-10°C) with snow in winter, though indoor attractions remain open. Spring (March-May) is unpredictable with rain and occasional snow.
Visa
Check requirementsInternational visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries can stay up to 90 days without a visa (requires ESTA authorization). Citizens of other countries need a B-2 tourist visa. Canadian and Mexican citizens have simplified entry requirements. Check requirements at travel.state.gov.
Getting There
TransportationBy Air: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the world's busiest, 27km northwest. Midway Airport (MDW) is closer (16km southwest) and handles domestic flights.
By Train: Union Station is a major Amtrak hub with connections to New York (20 hours), Los Angeles (43 hours), and other cities.
Language
CommunicationEnglish is the primary language. Chicago is very diverse with many languages spoken, but English is universal.
Currency
Money mattersUS Dollar (USD). Credit cards accepted everywhere. ATMs widely available. Tipping is customary: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 for rideshare drivers.
Getting Around
Local transportCTA: 'L' trains and buses covering the city. Get a Ventra card. The Loop is the central business district.
Metra: Commuter rail to suburbs.
Uber/Lyft: Widely available.
Taxis: Abundant and metered.
Walking: Downtown, Loop, and River North are very walkable.
From the Airport
Arrival infoFrom O'Hare:
Blue Line: Direct 'L' train to downtown (45 min, $5).
Uber/Taxi: $40-60 to downtown (30-45 min).
From Midway:
Orange Line: Direct 'L' train to downtown (25 min, $2.50).
Uber/Taxi: $30-45 to downtown (20-30 min).