Chicago C3 and Go City Chicago Essentials Pass are both choice passes: you pick a set number of attractions from each list. One adult pays from USD 109 for C3 and from USD 99 for Go City Essentials, checked October 2026.
We price 7 attractions on one or both of them, and both include 6. Only C3 has Art Institute of Chicago.
On the 3 plans worked out below for 2 adults, C3 costs less on all 3. The figures are arithmetic on published prices, not a rating of either pass.
C3, adult from
USD 109
Go City Essentials, adult from
USD 99
Priced on both
6 of 7
Prices checked
October 2026
The two passes on 3 plans
2 adults, no children, a packed pace of up to 4 visits a day. Each plan takes the attractions with a published price that either pass includes: our first visit picks first, then the dearest. Real cost is the pass for the group plus the tickets it leaves at the gate.
Chicago C3 and Go City Chicago Essentials Pass on each plan, for 2 adults in USD
Prices checked October 2026. US gate prices are before sales tax. Worth The Pass compares published prices on the date shown. Passes change what they include; check the seller's page before you buy.
Options and prices side by side
Every option each seller lists. The last column is the engine's break-even for one adult, with the cheapest attractions on the pass first.
Choice of attractions, sold by Go City. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026.
Go City Chicago Essentials Pass options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Option
Adult
Child
Pays off for one adult
3 picks, valid 30 days
USD 99
USD 69, child 3 to 12
Not with the attractions we price
What each one includes
8 attractions in our Chicago data are on one or both passes, dearest at the gate first. Adult gate prices in USD, checked October 2026; the terms are our summary of what each seller states. US gate prices are before sales tax.
Attractions on Chicago C3 and Go City Chicago Essentials Pass, with adult gate prices in USD
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit. Timed entry
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. Timed entry. At most 1 of Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Field Museum and Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
One of the picks. At most 1 of Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Field Museum and Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
USD 27from, online price
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. At most 1 of Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Field Museum and Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit
One of the picks. At most 2 of Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium and Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
Adler Planetarium
USD 25from
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit
One of the picks. At most 2 of Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium and Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
Price not published
One of the picks. One visit
One of the picks. At most 2 of Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium and Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
2 things
Skydeck Chicago and Art Institute of Chicago. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 128 for the group. C3 costs USD 44 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 218 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Skip itRanked 1 of 5 for this plan
Chicago C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 128 for the 2 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: Go City Chicago Essentials Pass, Skip it; it costs USD 134 more than the gate (104% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 2 of its 3 picks.
USD 90more than the gate, 70% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 128
With Chicago C3USD 218
Pass USD 218
It pays off only with dearer picks: 1 more of its most expensive attractions.
2 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Nothing: the pass covers the whole plan.
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 109
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Skip itRanked 2 of 5 for this plan
Go City Chicago Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 128 for the 2 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Chicago C3, Skip it; it costs USD 90 more than the gate (70% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 1 of its 3 picks.
USD 134more than the gate, 104% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 128
With Go City Chicago Essentials PassUSD 262
Pass USD 198 still at the gate USD 64
No further included attraction with a published price makes this pass pay off for this plan.
1 visit in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 99
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
5 things
Skydeck Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 331.90 for the group. C3 costs USD 56.10 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 329.90 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Close callRanked 1 of 5 for this plan
Chicago C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 331.90 for the 5 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: Go City Chicago Explorer Pass, Close call; it costs USD 0.10 more than the gate (under 1% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 2less than the gate, under 1% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 331.90
With Chicago C3USD 329.90
Pass USD 218 still at the gate USD 111.90
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River TourUSD 92
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Field MuseumUSD 60
Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryUSD 51.90
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 109
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Skip itRanked 5 of 5 for this plan
Go City Chicago Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 331.90 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Chicago C3, Close call; it saves USD 2 (under 1% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 2 of its 3 picks.
USD 54.10more than the gate, 16% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 331.90
With Go City Chicago Essentials PassUSD 386
Pass USD 198 still at the gate USD 188
No further included attraction with a published price makes this pass pay off for this plan.
2 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River TourUSD 92
Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryUSD 51.90
Paid at the gate
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Field MuseumUSD 60
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 99
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Everything: 7 things
Skydeck Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck and Adler Planetarium. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 435.90 for the group. C3 costs USD 6.10 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 433.90 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Close callRanked 2 of 5 for this plan
Chicago C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 435.90 for the 7 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City Chicago Explorer Pass, Close call; it saves USD 13.90 (3% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 2less than the gate, under 1% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 435.90
With Chicago C3USD 433.90
Pass USD 218 still at the gate USD 215.90
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River TourUSD 92
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Paid at the gate
360 CHICAGO Observation DeckUSD 54
Adler PlanetariumUSD 50
Field MuseumUSD 60
Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryUSD 51.90
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 109
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Close callRanked 3 of 5 for this plan
Go City Chicago Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 435.90 for the 7 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City Chicago Explorer Pass, Close call; it saves USD 13.90 (3% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 4.10more than the gate, under 1% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 435.90
With Go City Chicago Essentials PassUSD 440
Pass USD 198 still at the gate USD 242
No further included attraction with a published price makes this pass pay off for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River TourUSD 92
Griffin Museum of Science and IndustryUSD 51.90
Adler PlanetariumUSD 50
Paid at the gate
360 CHICAGO Observation DeckUSD 54
Art Institute of ChicagoUSD 64
Field MuseumUSD 60
Skydeck ChicagoUSD 64
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 99
Also includes Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
The sellers' own pages
Passes change what they include. Read each seller's terms before you buy.
Which costs less, Chicago C3 or Go City Chicago Essentials Pass?
One adult pays from USD 109 for Chicago C3 and from USD 99 for Go City Chicago Essentials Pass, checked October 2026. The price alone does not settle it. For 2 adults at a packed pace: 2 things: C3 costs USD 44 less; C3 Skip it, Go City Essentials Skip it. 5 things: C3 costs USD 56.10 less; C3 Close call, Go City Essentials Skip it. Everything: 7 things: C3 costs USD 6.10 less; C3 Close call, Go City Essentials Close call. Tick your own plan in the Chicago calculator to see which comes out lower for you.
What does Chicago C3 include that Go City Chicago Essentials Pass does not?
Chicago C3 includes 1 attraction with a published price that Go City Chicago Essentials Pass leaves out: Art Institute of Chicago (USD 32). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
What does Go City Chicago Essentials Pass include that Chicago C3 does not?
Nothing with a published price: every attraction we price on Go City Chicago Essentials Pass is on Chicago C3 as well.
Do Chicago C3 and Go City Chicago Essentials Pass have child prices?
Chicago C3: USD 79, child 3 to 11. Go City Chicago Essentials Pass: USD 69, child 3 to 12. Enter each child's age in the calculator: the band that applies is shown next to each price.
How long are Chicago C3 and Go City Chicago Essentials Pass valid?
Chicago C3 comes in 3 picks, valid 9 days. Go City Chicago Essentials Pass comes in 3 picks, valid 30 days. The math fits your visits into those days at 2 a day relaxed or 4 a day packed.
