Questions answered
Big Bus Chicago FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with Big Bus Tours.
- Routes1
- Stops10
- Full loop2H 00M
- Sights8
Most people weighing a big bus Chicago ride end up asking the same few practical questions: whether the loop earns a place in a short trip, which sights it really reaches, and how it compares with walking. This page answers them for the Big Bus in Chicago. It is an independent guide and is not run by or affiliated with Big Bus Tours.
Sights in this guide
Before you ride
The city has one Big Bus route, the Big Loop, also called the Red Route. It calls at ten stops in ride order: Chicago Riverwalk, Skydeck Chicago / Willis Tower, Millennium Park / Art Institute of Chicago, Hilton Chicago / Grant Park, Adler Planetarium, Museum Campus, Sheraton Grand Chicago, Navy Pier, Water Tower / Magnificent Mile and 360 Chicago.
Millennium Park, the Art Institute, Grant Park, the Riverwalk and Navy Pier each have a stop right beside them. The Magnificent Mile is about 300 metres from the Water Tower stop, Cloud Gate is about 300 metres from the Millennium Park stop, and the Cultural Center is about 250 metres from the same stop, so those are short walks rather than stops at the door.
Choosing a ticket
Three hop-on hop-off products are available in Chicago, and every listed loop runs 120 minutes. They differ in what they add, and some tours add a river or boat cruise, so read each ticket page rather than assuming the products match. Across the city's products, the commentary is listed in English and Spanish. Compare ticket details side by side before you decide, and look on the page itself for children's age rules and step-free boarding.
Route and stops
- Big Loop (Red Route)
Big Loop (Red Route)
Show all 10 stops
Hop-on hop-off in Chicago
Questions about Big Bus Chicago
Is the Big Bus worth it in Chicago?
It is worth it if you want a fast orientation, since the 120-minute loop links the Loop, Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile in one circuit. It is less useful for exploring a single neighbourhood closely, where walking does the job better. Compare that against your own plan on the ticket page before you decide.
How long is a route?
The full Big Loop takes 120 minutes of riding. Every stop you get off at adds the time you spend there, so a day that includes Navy Pier or Millennium Park will run much longer. Treat the loop as the backbone of the day rather than a quick hop.
Where does it start?
The route is described as starting at the Chicago Riverwalk, on East Wacker Drive, which is its first listed stop. The Riverwalk is also a convenient point for a first ride, since Chicago Theatre is about 150 metres away and the Wrigley Building is about 350 metres away.
Does it stop at Navy Pier?
Yes. Navy Pier is a named stop on the route, and the pier sits directly at it. It is one of the easiest stops to use with children, and summer weekends get busy there.
Does it stop at Willis Tower?
Yes, the stop is named Skydeck Chicago / Willis Tower, so the route calls at the tower. Willis Tower has a glass-floored observation deck, which makes it a strong stop if the view from the top is the goal.
Can children ride?
Check the ticket page for age rules before you book, since those differ by product.
Can I hop on and off?
The route is sold as a hop-on hop-off product, so stopping at sights is part of the plan. The rules for getting off and rejoining are set on each ticket page, so read those before you plan a long stop.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair space and step-free boarding are details to confirm on the ticket page before you book. If access is essential for your group, look for those details first and plan around them.
What is the best time of year to ride?
Late spring to early autumn gives the most comfortable open-top riding, with lakefront views at their best. Winters are cold and windy off Lake Michigan, so the ride is a poor choice then. Even on warm days, bring a layer, because the wind off the lake can feel sharp on an open top.
Is there a night tour?
Some hop-on hop-off products in Chicago add a river or boat cruise, and evening options can appear among the tickets, so look at each ticket page if a night ride is the goal.
How does it compare with walking?
Walking wins within each cluster. Navy Pier and the Chicago Riverwalk are close together, and the Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Building, Millennium Park, Chicago Theatre, Cloud Gate and the Cultural Center form an area you can cover on foot. The bus earns its place when you need to move between the Loop, Grant Park and the lakefront in one go.
How long is a ticket valid?
Validity periods differ by ticket, so compare them on each ticket page before choosing a plan that spans more than one day. The length you need depends on how many sights you want to cover and how many days you are in the city.
Compare hop-on hop-off tours in Chicago