What budget to travel à CHICAGO? Money and currency

If you book in advance, you can find a hotel in Chicago for US$90-100 in any season. Beware, during convention periods, room rates can be tripled. You can eat well and easily for less than 20 US$. On the other hand, public transportation is more expensive than in France (around US$ 2.50 per ticket). Admission to Chicago museums is about US$12.

What budget for activities and outings à CHICAGO?

Admission to museums, whether in Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Madison or Detroit, is around US$15. Viewpoints and guided tours are more expensive; for example, you'll have to pay US$30 to visit the Willis Tower observatory or the 360 Chicago observatory. Your total expenditure will depend on the number of cultural activities you wish to take part in during your visit.

Be aware that free events are organized every summer in the city's parks: open-air films, festivals, sports sessions... Visit TimeOut Chicago(www.timeout.com/chicago) or Choose Chicago(www.choosechicago.com) to find out what's on 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 find any real savings in international or American brand clothing stores. Prices are much the same as in Europe. Electronics, audio and cameras, on the other hand, will be a little cheaper, especially with the current rate of the dollar. In your excitement, make sure that your international warranty works!

Don't forget that in the United States, local taxes are not included in the listed price. In Chicago, it's very high, at around 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 the opportunity to do some shopping while visiting the gigantic Mall of America, near Minneapolis. Last but not least, discount stores such as Nordstrom Rack and Marshalls offer great brands at reduced prices.

Entrance fees to even the most famous blues and jazz clubs are generally not very high. Expect to pay between US$10 and US$20, depending on the night and the musicians playing. Fridays and Saturdays are at the higher end of the price range. And don't forget that many bars also host musicians, so all you have to do is order a drink and you'll have the pleasure of seeing them play. If you happen to hear music coming from a bar, don't hesitate to push open the door..

Concerts and shows, on the other hand, represent a slightly larger budget, ranging from US$30 for a play in a small experimental theater to several hundred dollars for Broadway shows. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid paying full price!

Start by taking a look at official ticket resale sites, such as StubHub (www.stubhub.com) and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). They're perfectly secure and offer particularly attractive rates on concerts, shows and other performances, especially at the last minute.

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 make it, don't panic: all tickets are also on sale on the website!

When it comes to concerts, especially open-air ones, you'll need to budget accordingly, in addition to the initial ticket price. For a start, everything here is merchandising: you'll be able to find posters or clothing (rarely under US$30) bearing the effigy of the artists performing. As for food, for a small burger and a few fries, nuggets or a mini pizza - not really enough to fill you up - you'll need to reckon with a price tag of around 10-15 US$. As for drinks - not necessarily cocktails, but simple beers - you'll also need to budget around US$15 at festivals. So make sure you know in advance what you want to spend your money on at the event, so you don't end up feeling deprived... or burning a hole in your budget!

What budget to eat à CHICAGO?

Food isn't exactly cheap in Chicago. In a typical restaurant, you can hardly get by for less than US$30 per person for a starter and a main course. However, there are still plenty of options for those on a budget: pizzas, hot dogs, Asian restaurants and neighborhood cafés... Salad bars, of which there are many, especially in the central neighborhoods, are still the healthiest and cheapest option.
What's more, even with expensive dishes, you'll rarely be disappointed by the quantity. And here, asking for a doggy bag is part of the culture. In a country where lunchtime is fairly short compared with Europe, you won't begrudge it. What's more, you can even find local restaurants that, in the interests of efficiency, serve smaller portions for lunch than they do in the evening.

Finally, when it's time to pay, it's very rare for someone to bring you a terminal. So don't be offended if the waiter leaves with your card: he'll debit it without your help! Before, of course, returning it 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 à CHICAGO?

With Chicago's growing popularity, accommodation prices have risen sharply in recent years. For a double room with en-suite bathroom, it's now rare to find rates below US$120 to US$150 per night, and prices can climb well above that, especially in the inner city. Depending on occupancy rates or major events in town (conventions, festivals, Cubs or White Sox games, trade shows...), prices can easily double or even triple from one day to the next.

As you move away from the Loop, rates become more affordable, especially in neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, or around Hyde Park. Travelers on a tight budget can turn to youth hostels, which offer dormitories as well as private rooms at competitive rates.

Please note: prices quoted do not usually include taxes, which total around 17.4%, including room tax, state tax and tourist tax.

If you don't mind staying with a local, Couchsurfing is a good option to lighten your budget. Since 2020, access to the platform has become chargeable (subscription of around US$15-30/year), but a few nights are enough to make the investment worthwhile. It's also a great way to get local tips and discover the legendary hospitality of Midwesterners.

Travel budget à 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$150 to US$200, 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 or even triple 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 vary greatly 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, as long as you opt for simple establishments (fast-food, diners). In a sit-down restaurant, you should expect to pay between US$25 and US$35 per person. On the other hand, public transport is more expensive than in France, except in 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 clothing). If you do go shopping, electronics, audio or cameras may be a little cheaper, but the price gap has narrowed: check in your excitement that the international warranty is working properly. Renting a car, which you'll need to get around the lakes on your own, remains a little expensive, but petrol is still cheaper than in France.