What budget to travel Chicago? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Chicago?

Admission to museums, whether in Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Madison or Detroit, is about $15. Sightseeing and guided tours are more expensive; for example, you'll need to pay $30 to visit the Willis Tower Observatory or 360 Chicago. Your total expenses will depend on how many cultural activities you want to do during your visit

Be aware that free events are organized every summer in the city's parks: outdoor movies, festivals, sports sessions... Check out TimeOut Chicago(www.timeout.com/chicago) or Choose Chicago(www.choosechicago.com) for events during your visit.

You can totally exercise and relax without paying a dime in Chicago: just take advantage of the parks, which offer the perfect setting for jogging or just hanging out when the weather is good. In the summer, the city's 26 miles of beach are free!

Then, it all depends on how many sports or leisure activities you want to do during your stay in the Great Lakes: a baseball game at Chicago's Wrigley Field, a sailboat rental to sail on the lakes, or a snowmobile to ride in the hills of northern Wisconsin... It's up to you to prioritize according to your budget!

The bad news is that you won't really save money in international or American branded clothing stores. The prices are about the same as in Europe. Electronic products, audio, cameras will be a little cheaper, especially with the current rate of the dollar. Make sure in your excitement that the international warranty works!

Don't forget that in the United States, the local tax is not included in the price. In Chicago, it is very high, about 10.25% on sales. On the other hand, Minnesota is one of the few states where there is no tax on the purchase of clothing! Take advantage of this to do your shopping while visiting the gigantic Mall of America, near Minneapolis. Finally, discount stores such as Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls allow you to find great brands at reduced prices.

The entrance fee for even the most famous blues and jazz clubs is usually not very high. The price ranges from US$5 to US$20 depending on the night and the musicians playing. Fridays and Saturdays are at the higher end of the price range. Be aware that many bars also host musicians and that you can order a drink to see them play. If you hear music coming from a bar while walking around, don't hesitate to push the door..

Concerts and shows are a bit more expensive, ranging from 30 US$ for a play in a small experimental theater to several hundred dollars for shows that come from Broadway. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid paying full price!

Start by taking a look at the official ticket resale sites, such as StubHub (www.stubhub.com) and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). They are perfectly secure and allow, especially at the last minute, to get particularly interesting prices on concerts, shows and other performances.

There are also two stands called Hot Tix (www.hottix.org), located in the Loop district, at 72 E Randolph Street and 108 N State Street, where you can buy tickets for shows, operas and one-man shows at half price. If you can't come to the Loop, don't worry: all tickets are also available on the website!

For concerts, especially outdoor ones, you should expect to pay a substantial budget in addition to the initial ticket price. First of all, here, everything is merchandising: you will be able to find posters or clothes (rarely under 30 US$) with the effigy of the artists who perform. As for the food, for a small burger and some fries, nuggets or a mini pizza - not enough to finish really full - you'll have to count on 10-15 US$. For drinks - not necessarily cocktails, but simple beers - you should also count on 15 US$ in the festivals. So think about what you want to spend on during the event, in order not to be left with a feeling of deprivation... or a hole in your budget!

What budget to eat Chicago?

Food is not cheap in Chicago. In a typical restaurant, you can hardly get by for less than US$30 per person if you have an appetizer and a main course. However, the options for small budgets are still quite numerous: pizzas, hot dogs, Asian restaurants and local cafés... Salad bars, which are very numerous especially in the downtown areas, are the healthiest and cheapest options.
Moreover, even in the case of expensive dishes, you will rarely be disappointed by the quantity. And here, asking for a doggy bag (to go) is really part of the culture. In a country where lunch time is quite short compared to Europe, you won't be blamed. Moreover, you can even find local restaurants that serve smaller portions than in the evening for lunch.

Finally, at the time of payment, it is very rare that you are brought a terminal. So don't be offended if the waiter leaves with your card: he will make the debit without your help! And of course, he will bring it back to you with the bill, not without interest...

Going out is quite expensive in Chicago, especially when you drink alcohol. A glass of wine will rarely cost less than US$12, and cocktails are usually around US$15. Beers are less expensive, around 7 US$ per draught.

You will sometimes be asked if you want to "open a tab" on your first round. In this case, the lack of sobriety helps, the bill can quickly rise!

Because the prices displayed do not take into account the local tax, which amounts to 10.75%, nor the tip. It is customary to leave a tip of 1 or 2 US$ per drink. Or, if you have had many drinks and pay by credit card, about 18% of the bill, as in a restaurant.

If you don't want to break the bank, there's a simple solution: take advantage of Happy Hour! Generally proposed on weekdays, between 3pm and 6pm, they will allow you to drink cocktails, beers or glasses of wine at reduced prices.

What is the budget for accommodation Chicago?

Because Chicago has grown in popularity, hotel accommodations have become more expensive in recent years. For a double room with private bath, prices rarely go below US$100 per night, and frequently go well above that! From one day to the next, depending on the occupancy rate and the events taking place in the city (such as a convention, festival or baseball game), prices can triple

As you move away from the Loop, rates become more affordable. If you are on a budget, you may want to check out the hostels, most of which offer not only dormitories but also private rooms at very reasonable rates.

Keep in mind that the tax, which is 4.5% on the room and 5% on the stay, is not included.
If you are not averse to staying with a host, the ultimate plan is Couchsurfing. Using it even for a few nights will considerably lighten your budget. If access to the site has become paying in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, you will only need one night to make it profitable. Not to mention all the valuable advice you can get directly from the locals! It will also allow you to verify, if you find a host, that the sense of hospitality of the Midwesterners is not usurped. Far from it

Travel budget Chicago and cost of living

Hotel costs will be the main expense of the trip, in addition to airfare. Very good hotels can be found for around US$100-130, in any season, if booked in advance. On the Internet, on specialized sites offering unbeatable prices, or on hotel sites themselves, which compete with promotional codes to fight off competition from booking platforms. On the downside, this option doesn't allow you to choose your room, so you run the risk of ending up on lower floors with no view. Room rates in the Great Lakes region can double during popular conventions and events: here too, it's important to get the facts before booking your stay. Chicago remains the city where room rates can triple from one day to the next. It's really important to book in advance, if you don't want any nasty surprises on arrival.

It's easy to find good restaurants where you can eat for less than US$20. On the other hand, public transport is more expensive than in France, except for Detroit: US$2.50 a ticket in Chicago, US$28 for 7 days, US$75 for a month + US$5 for the Ventra card. You won't find any savings in international or simply American brand stores (except in Minnesota, where there is no tax on purchases). If you go shopping, however, electronics, audio and cameras will be a little cheaper. In your excitement, check that the international warranty is working properly. Renting a car, which is necessary to be autonomous around the lakes, is a little expensive, but gasoline is always half the price in France.