Bus & Coach · CHICAGO BUS TOURS
The 15 best chicago bus tours you can book today, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
This 1.5 to 2-hour coach tour traces Chicago’s crime past through River North, Lincoln Park, the Loop, and the Magnificent Mile. Guides such as Jay, Dane, Jamie, Maddie, and Sophia mix mob stories with humor, photo stops, historic footage, and a visit to Harry Caray’s mini mob museum and Nitti’s vault.
“Lots of fun! A unique look at Chicago! The guide, Jay, was entertaining and very personable. Would highly recommend this tour..”
See Chicago from an open-top double-decker bus, passing Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, the Museum Campus, and the Magnificent Mile. A full loop takes about two hours, but 24-, 48-, and 72-hour passes let you hop off at 11 stops. Use the Big Bus app for live tracking, stop maps, and four self-guided walks.
“I loved the ability to be outside on the top level and not be cold because the first half is covered with a glass dome/ roof with sides”
See Chicago from an open-top double-decker bus on a 24, 48, or 72-hour pass. Ride past Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile, then hop off to explore. Digital commentary, live bus tracking, and optional walking tours or a river architecture cruise help you shape the day.
“Excellent tour to see the town and the weather was simply beautiful during my tour”
Ride a climate-controlled coach through Chicago’s mob-era neighborhoods, stopping at the Biograph Theatre and St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site. Your English-speaking guide covers Al Capone, John Dillinger, H. H. Holmes, and more, with historic film, a crime quiz, Frank Nitti’s safe, and a mini mob museum.
“It was great! I learned a lot about Chicago and its history. Our tour guide was great, and entertaining! Very respectful and funny!”
Board a small evening bus at 163 E. Pearson Street for a two-hour tour of Chicago’s crime past. Hear stories about Al Capone, John Dillinger, Dean O’Banion, Frank Nitti, and Hymie Weiss, stop at key sites, visit Nitti’s Vault, and finish near the Water Tower. Guides including John, Leah Nicole, and Kathryn have led the tour.
“This is a DO NOT MISS experience! I took my teenage daughter (16) after a very long day of sightseeing and we both loved it! The history and details were fascinating. I would recommend this as a must for anyone interested in crime and the spicy side of Chicago history.”
Meet near Rainforest Cafe in River North for a 3-hour-45-minute ride on Chicago’s custom Barrel Bus. Guides such as Ted share Prohibition-era stories while you visit up to three breweries, taste 45 to 55 ounces of beer, and leave the driving to someone else. Bring photo ID and closed-toe shoes.
“What a fun tour! If you like craft beer, meeting new people and riding in a giant barrel this tour is for you. My husband and I had a blast and tried a wide variety of beer. We highly recommend this tour.”
Choose a downtown walking route through the Loop and River North, or a bus tour through Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and River North. Guide Jonathan Knotek mixes Chicago mob stories, high-society drinking culture, and practical drink advice. You visit three or four historic bars, with drinks and food purchased separately.
“Jonathan was excellent as our guide. Super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject matter. Highly recommend this tour.”
Spend about 90 minutes touring Chicago after dark from an open-top double-decker bus. A live English or Spanish guide points out Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, the Wrigley Building, and the Museum Campus. Guides such as Matty, Matt, and Bernie have earned praise for humor and city facts, but upper-deck seating is first come, first served.
“Was wonderful. Tour guide was funny and informative and the night stop at the planetarium for pictures was beautiful. Highly recommend”
Spend about three hours touring Chicago’s haunted past by comfortable bus, with stops at Hull-House, Lincoln Park, the Biograph Theatre, Death Alley, and the S.S. Eastland memorial. Guides such as Tony, Larry, Jen, Joann, and Sadie mix grim history with ghost-hunting tools, including EMF readers and dowsing rods.
“Lots of chicago history that has spooky backgrounds. Wish it could have been longer. Tony knows his stuff.”
This 1-hour-45-minute minibus tour traces Chicago’s gangster past, from John Dillinger’s death site to Holy Name Cathedral and former gang neighborhoods. Costumed guides such as Marie, Maria, and Winnie mix local history, humor, and Prohibition stories. The group is limited to 10, and the tour stays on the bus, making it a practical choice in hot, cold, or rainy weather.
“Marie was super fun and creative! She totally made the tour with her Chicago accent and fun attitude!”
Ride Big Bus Chicago’s open-top double-decker for 90 minutes as the city shifts from daylight to evening. A live English-speaking guide points out Willis Tower, Michigan Avenue, the Bean, Museum Campus, and Art on the Mart. The tour starts and ends at 618 N Clark St and is wheelchair accessible.
“Not very excited, definetely overpriced, the tour guide was not respectful. Also forgot an expensive scarf on the bus, the stuff even did not try to locate me although the guide asked me where I was from, what hotel I was staying in and what conference I have attended.”
Spend four hours with guides such as Ted or David aboard a custom barrel-shaped bus, visiting three Chicago breweries. You will taste 45 to 55 ounces of beer, play social games, and tour a nano-brewery production area. Meet near the McDonald’s across from Rainforest Cafe. Bring ID and closed-toe shoes.
“The Barrel Run and done! What a fun experience! Ted was a great driver and a wonderful storyteller. The ride was comfortable in the air conditioned bus. He took us to three different breweries where we tasted a variety of beers. One of breweries had tasty food offerings which was so convenient. We would definitely book this tour again when we are back in the area.”
Combine a 75-minute Shoreline architecture cruise with a 48-hour Big Bus Chicago ticket. Hear live commentary on the river, then use the open-top bus, audio guide, app, and walking tours to reach Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Mag Mile, Skydeck, and more.
Pair a guided Chicago River architecture cruise with a two-day Big Bus pass covering the Riverwalk, Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile. Live commentary varies by guide, with Justin, Juan, Candice, Dylan, and Jim praised for strong presentations. English only.
“My mom and I really enjoyed the architectural cruise! Dylan was very knowledgeable and the hot chocolate was good. We did the bus tour as well. We were on one of the later times so we weren’t able to get off at any stops but it was nice and clean.”
Spend two days exploring Chicago by open-top double-decker bus, with live tracking, digital commentary in English or Spanish, and stops near major sights. Your package also includes entry to 360 CHICAGO on the 94th floor, where you can enjoy CloudBar or pay extra onsite for TILT.
“Complete and professional tour. It's a shame that French is not available.”
Pick a deck, a route or an hour.
