How much money should I save for a 7-day trip in Chicago? (Lincoln: appointed, hotels)

[madeyes4u]

I'm not going to be there just to sight-see. I'm actually on a self-appointed "mission" to get familiar with the feel of the city (especially downtown) and I'll be going all by myself

But anyway...I wanna go in the summer, around June. So, how much money do you think I need to start saving now?

I'm 23, just to let you know, but I don't want spend all my money on drinking and doing dumb ****. I'm serious about this, you guys (and girls!). So, can you give me some advice?

I'll be coming from Columbus, Ohio & I'll most likely take Amtrak all the way to Chicago. I'm very excited, but kind of nervous at the same time. Any tips? You guys are pretty smart, so that's why I've come here instead of Yelp lol

[tonythetuna]

I would say without knowing more specific details, $1500 would be a nice comfortable number.

[madeyes4u]

EDIT: *Important change* 4 days, not 7 days!!

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by madeyes4u

EDIT: *Important change* 4 days, not 7 days!!

Ok, maybe $1000.

[madeyes4u]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna

I would say without knowing more specific details, $1500 would be a nice comfortable number.

What specific details do you need?

I plan on using the bus or a taxi as transportation. (Do people even really use Chicago taxi??) I also plan on staying in a cheap hotel...if there are any.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by madeyes4u

I also plan on staying in a cheap hotel...if there are any.

Even if you find a really cheap deal on a hotel, it is still going to cost you minimum $60 a night. That's $240 at least for four days. Then you have your Amtrak fare.

[madeyes4u]

Originally Posted by tonythetuna

Even if you find a really cheap deal on a hotel, it is still going to cost you minimum $60 a night. That's $240 at least for four days. Then you have your Amtrak fare.

Thanks so much for answering me this fast. Do you know any decent, cheap hotels/ motels in Chicago? I'm really not looking for a sleazebag of a motel, nor do I have the money to pay for an expensive one.

I'm a little afraid of hostels at the moment, too. Does anyone know of any reasonably priced motels/hotels in the city?

[SoloTraveler]

Hmm, that would depend entirely on your preferences. And even within your preferences, there are varying degrees of prices and choices.

I think if you're going to stay in a decent hotel and do a good amount of sightseeing, trying restaurants and experiencing the nightlife, you'll have to assume maybe $1,000. That includes about $150 per night of a hotel near Michigan Ave (more if you want to be right on top of it), which I've assumed to include taxes. The other $400 would be parsed out, $100 for each day, to take in the sights, do some shopping, eat / drink. But it's impossible to say without knowing you and your shopping and eating habits. You could take in an architectural boat cruise, get to the Willis Tower observation area, have a coffee, couple of decent meals, and you're already beyond $100 in less than 6 hours.

A good option, also, is to get a Chicago City Pass card (Chicago CityPASS® | Visit 5 Chicago attractions for just $69.00 per pass, a $134.62 value!).

I would recommend you peruse tripadvisor, yelp, and this site as well to get all your tourist options down. Then check the prices for the activities you want to experience. This way, you'll get a much better idea than what any one of us here can guess. Remember, in summer, Cubs play, so take that into account if you're a baseball fan.

Going back to preferences, if you're a hostel type of person, as I am, then $500 could very easily suffice. If you're a couchsurfing type of person, as I also am, $400 could be much more than enough for 4 days.

Good luck and please feel free to PM me if you've any questions. I've lived in Chicago previously and hosted many a friend there!

[OhAcid]

Originally Posted by madeyes4u

Thanks so much for answering me this fast. Do you know any decent, cheap hotels/ motels in Chicago? I'm really not looking for a sleazebag of a motel, nor do I have the money to pay for an expensive one.

I'm a little afraid of hostels at the moment, too. Does anyone know of any reasonably priced motels/hotels in the city?

Hotels.com is your best bet. That or a like-website. I would also visit the CTA website and pick up a 3 day transit pass. If you have a smartphone you can use Google Maps and their public transportation feature to help navigate. It will tell you which stops to get off and on at along the L. If you want to get a "feel" for the city too - then do not spend the majority of your time in the loop (downtown). You'll get to feel like a tourist if you do that. Wikitravel is a great resource for information on various areas of Chicago. No hate on the south side either, but if you plan on traveling by yourself (as I assume you're female), avoid anything south of Chinatown (especially at night) other than the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park (fabulous exhibits). But do visit both places if you have time - it's only fifteen dollars to get into the museum and you can waste the entire day there gawking and things. Other than that...the Lincoln Park zoo is free and very nice and you can also explore the rest of Lincoln Park too. Visit the beaches, they're gorgeous. Have fun!

[chirack]

Originally Posted by madeyes4u

What specific details do you need?

I plan on using the bus or a taxi as transportation. (Do people even really use Chicago taxi??) I also plan on staying in a cheap hotel...if there are any.

check out the cta site. You can purchase 1,3, and 7 day passes for $5.75,$14, and $23 they give you unlimited rides on the cta for that time period and the time period starts when you first use them. Taxis are kinda expensive. Yes people use taxies but the cta is much cheaper.