Chicago Water Taxi keeps fares simple. A One-Way Ticket is $10 for a single trip between any two docks. Frequent riders can drop that to $3 per ride with the 10-Ride Commuter Pass. Seniors and persons with disabilities pay 50% off. Active duty military with valid ID rides free. Kids 3 and under are free. Tickets do not expire by date, only by use. Chicago Water Taxi is cashless — bring a card. This guide breaks down every ticket type, who qualifies for discounts, where to buy, and how to pick the right option for your trip.
Quick Answer: All Chicago Water Taxi Fares
| Ticket Type | Price | How to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (adult) | $10 | Online, on the boats, Wendella kiosks, or ticket offices |
| 10-Ride Commuter Pass | $3 per ride | Online — log in or create an account |
| Senior / Person with disability | 50% off ($5) | In person at Michigan Ave or Ogilvie/Union office with ID |
| Active duty military (with valid ID) | Free | In person at Michigan Ave or Ogilvie/Union office with ID |
| Kids 3 and under | Free | No ticket required |
*All prices verified on chicagowatertaxi.com/pages/fares. Chicago Water Taxi is cashless — no cash accepted for any fare type. All guests ages 4 and over require a ticket.
One-Way Ticket — $10
The standard fare is a One-Way Ticket at $10 for adults. One ride, in one direction, between any two Chicago Water Taxi docks — Michigan Avenue, Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), or Chinatown. If you are returning, you need to buy a second ticket.
A One-Way Ticket is the right choice for:
- One-time visitors taking a single trip across downtown
- Riders who only ride occasionally
- Anyone unsure whether they will use the water taxi enough to justify a pass
Tickets do not expire by date — only by use. You can buy one this season and use it next year. If a trip falls through, the ticket stays valid.
10-Ride Commuter Pass — $3 per Ride
The 10-Ride Commuter Pass brings the per-trip cost down from $10 to $3 per ride. That is a 70% savings versus the One-Way Ticket. If you ride more than three times in a season, the pass pays for itself.
The Commuter Pass is for:
- Daily or weekly commuters between Ogilvie/Union and Michigan Avenue or Chinatown
- Residents who use the water taxi as regular transit during the season
- Visitors planning multiple trips during a longer stay
- Anyone who likes the river commute and expects to ride more than a handful of times
The pass is purchased online via the Chicago Water Taxi commuter account system — log in or create an account at the link below. Like all Chicago Water Taxi tickets, the rides on a Commuter Pass do not expire by date and can be used across multiple seasons.
Set up your 10-Ride Commuter Pass
Senior and Disability Discount — 50% Off
Seniors and persons with disabilities pay 50% off on One-Way Tickets, which works out to $5 per ride. This fare must be purchased in person at the Michigan Avenue ticket office or the Ogilvie/Union ticket office, with valid ID at the counter. It is not available online.
Plan to arrive at the dock with extra time on the day of your trip if you are buying a discounted ticket — the staffed ticket window is required.
Active Duty Military — Free
Active duty military ride free on Chicago Water Taxi with valid military ID. Like the senior discount, this must be processed in person at the Michigan Avenue or Ogilvie/Union ticket office. Bring your military ID to the counter.
Kids 3 and Under — Free
Children ages 3 and under do not need a ticket. They ride free. All guests ages 4 and over require a ticket — there is no discounted children's fare for ages 4–12, so the full $10 One-Way (or $3 Commuter Pass) applies.
Strollers are welcome onboard. Luggage is permitted and subject to inspection by security personnel.
For more on riding with kids, see Chicago Water Taxi With Kids, Bikes, and Luggage.
Where to Buy Tickets
Five places to purchase Chicago Water Taxi tickets:
- Online — chicagowatertaxi.com (recommended; works for One-Way and Commuter Pass)
- On the boats — purchase from crew during your trip
- Any Wendella kiosk — including at the 400 N Michigan Avenue location
- Michigan Avenue ticket office — at 400 N Michigan Avenue (required for senior and military fares)
- Ogilvie/Union ticket office — at the Madison Street Bridge dock (required for senior and military fares)
Important: Chicago Water Taxi is cashless. Bring a card. No fare is paid in cash, regardless of where or how you purchase.
Which Ticket Should You Pick?
The choice is mostly about how many trips you plan to take:
- One or two trips total: One-Way Ticket — $10 each, no commitment
- Three or more trips, even spread across multiple seasons: 10-Ride Commuter Pass — $3 per ride beats $10 per ride starting at trip 4
- Senior or person with disability: In-person ticket at the office — $5 per ride, no need for a pass
- Active duty military: Free in-person at the office — no ticket purchase needed
- Riding with a small child: Adult ticket for you, free for the child under 4
- Riding with school-age kids: Full $10 (or Commuter Pass) for each kid 4 and up
What the Ticket Does Not Cover
- Round trips: A One-Way Ticket is a single direction only. Buy a second ticket for the return.
- Navy Pier: Chicago Water Taxi does not stop at Navy Pier. The Michigan Avenue dock is approximately one mile west of Navy Pier.
- Chicago Avenue (North Branch): Service is extremely limited and not on the regular Main Branch schedule. See the Chicago Avenue limited service guide for how to plan a trip there.
- Summer Fireworks Cruise: A separate Chicago Water Taxi product with its own ticket — not a regular Main Branch fare. View Summer Fireworks Cruise.
Onboard Details Worth Knowing
- Bike racks are available between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM
- Restrooms are on all boats
- Climate-controlled cabin on 3 of 4 boats
- Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed onboard
- Outside alcohol is not permitted
- Wheelchair accessibility is available on select routes — reserve in advance by calling (312) 337-1446
- Season: generally March through end of December
- Service starts mid-morning weekdays, late morning weekends, runs until mid-evening
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Chicago Water Taxi ticket?
A One-Way Ticket is $10 for adults. The 10-Ride Commuter Pass works out to $3 per ride. Seniors and persons with disabilities pay 50% off ($5) with valid ID. Active duty military with valid ID rides free. Kids 3 and under ride free. All prices verified on chicagowatertaxi.com/pages/fares.
Is there a Chicago Water Taxi commuter pass?
Yes. The 10-Ride Commuter Pass brings the per-trip cost down to $3 per ride — a 70% savings versus the standard $10 One-Way Ticket. It is purchased online through the Chicago Water Taxi commuter account system. Rides on the pass do not expire by date and can be used across multiple seasons.
Does Chicago Water Taxi accept cash?
No. Chicago Water Taxi is cashless. All fares — One-Way, Commuter Pass, senior, and military — must be paid by card or through an online account. Bring a card when you ride.
Where can I buy Chicago Water Taxi tickets?
Five places: online at chicagowatertaxi.com, on the boats during your trip, at any Wendella kiosk, at the Michigan Avenue ticket office, or at the Ogilvie/Union ticket office. Discounted tickets (senior or military) must be purchased in person at one of the two ticket offices with valid ID — they are not available online.
Do Chicago Water Taxi tickets expire?
Tickets do not expire by date — only by use. A ticket purchased now can be used several seasons after the purchase date. The same applies to rides on the 10-Ride Commuter Pass.
How much do kids pay on Chicago Water Taxi?
Children 3 and under ride free. All guests ages 4 and over require a ticket at the standard adult fare — there is no separate children's discount. Strollers are welcome onboard.
Related Reading
- Download the 2026 Main Route Map (PDF) — official Chicago Water Taxi route map
- Chicago Water Taxi Stops: A Guide to Every Dock — overview of all stops on your fare
- Michigan Avenue Water Taxi: Dock Guide for Chicago Riders — the main downtown ticket office and dock
- Main Branch vs North Branch: Which Chicago Water Taxi Route Should You Take? — route comparison
- Chicago Water Taxi With Kids, Bikes, and Luggage — family rider guide
- Chicago Avenue Water Taxi: The North Branch Limited Service Guide — separate route and fare structure
- Main Branch Route page — current schedule
- Chicago Water Taxi FAQ — full policy and onboard detail
