Does Chicago Water Taxi Go to Navy Pier? Current Stops and Michigan Avenue Planning Guide

A yellow Chicago Water Taxi boat navigating the Chicago River through downtown

The short answer: no. Chicago Water Taxi does not stop at Navy Pier from any dock. Its closest stop, the Michigan Avenue dock, sits about one mile west of Navy Pier. If Navy Pier is your destination, you can still ride the water taxi to Michigan Avenue and cover the last mile on foot or by a separate connection. This guide lays out the current stops, the Michigan Avenue dock details, how to reach Navy Pier from there, and one important point of confusion to clear up, because a different company's boats do serve the pier.

Does the Chicago Water Taxi Stop at Navy Pier?

No. Chicago Water Taxi (the service at chicagowatertaxi.com) does not serve Navy Pier from any of its docks. The company states this directly: the Michigan Avenue stop is about one mile west of Navy Pier, and no Chicago Water Taxi route connects to the pier. The Michigan Avenue dock is simply the closest stop to that part of the lakefront.

So if you've seen "Chicago water taxi" and "Navy Pier" mentioned together, here's the likely reason, and it matters for your planning.

Important: Two Different Companies

There are two separate water taxi operators in Chicago, and only one of them serves Navy Pier:

  • Chicago Water Taxi (chicagowatertaxi.com), a Wendella company, runs the Main Branch route connecting Michigan Avenue, Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), and Chinatown. It does not stop at Navy Pier.
  • A different operator (Shoreline Sightseeing) runs its own separate water taxi service that does include a Navy Pier dock. It's a different company with different docks, routes, and tickets.

The takeaway: if a Navy Pier water taxi dock is essential to your plan, you're looking at the other company's service, not Chicago Water Taxi. This guide covers Chicago Water Taxi specifically.

Chicago Water Taxi's Current Stops

Chicago Water Taxi's Main Branch route has three stops:

  • Michigan Avenue (400 N Michigan Avenue), the downtown gateway near the Magnificent Mile and the closest stop to Navy Pier.
  • Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), connecting to the Metra and Amtrak terminals.
  • Chinatown, at Ping Tom Memorial Park.

There's also a separate, limited North Branch service to the Chicago Avenue dock, but none of these routes reach Navy Pier. For the full picture, see the stops guide.

The Michigan Avenue Dock: Your Closest Option

Since Michigan Avenue is the nearest stop to Navy Pier, it's the one to know. The dock is at 400 N Michigan Avenue, on the Riverwalk level near the DuSable (Michigan Avenue) Bridge, between the Wrigley Building and Trump Tower at the south end of the Magnificent Mile. It puts you steps from River North, Streeterville, Millennium Park, the Art Institute, and the 360 Chicago Observatory, and it's the same dock where Wendella architecture tours and cruises depart.

A few practical notes for the Michigan Avenue dock:

  • Reaching river level involves stairs; there's elevator access at the dock, though it's worth confirming its status if step-free access is essential.
  • The service is cashless, so bring a card.
  • A one-way ticket is $10; a 10-Ride Commuter Pass works out to $3 per ride.

For a deeper look, see the Michigan Avenue dock guide.

How to Get to Navy Pier From the Michigan Avenue Dock

Navy Pier is about a mile east of the Michigan Avenue dock, toward the lakefront. Once you disembark, your options are straightforward:

  • Walk: Roughly a mile east toward the lake, a pleasant walk in good weather along the river and Streeterville.
  • CTA bus or rideshare: A short eastbound connection covers the distance if you'd rather not walk. Check a current transit app for the bus route serving the pier on your travel day, since routes and schedules change.

Plan this last mile into your trip so Navy Pier doesn't catch you off guard at the dock. If the pier is the main event of your day, weigh whether starting from the water taxi is worth the transfer, or whether another approach fits better.

What to Verify Before You Go

  • Confirm you mean Chicago Water Taxi, not the other operator's Navy Pier service.
  • Check the live trip planner on the Chicago Water Taxi homepage for current departure times.
  • Plan the last mile to Navy Pier (walk or a quick connection east from Michigan Avenue).
  • Remember the season: Chicago Water Taxi generally runs March through the end of December, not year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chicago Water Taxi go to Navy Pier?

No. Chicago Water Taxi does not stop at Navy Pier from any dock. The Michigan Avenue dock is the closest stop, about one mile west of Navy Pier. You can ride to Michigan Avenue and then walk or take a short connection east to the pier.

Which water taxi goes to Navy Pier, then?

A different company, Shoreline Sightseeing, operates a separate water taxi service that includes a Navy Pier dock. It's not affiliated with Chicago Water Taxi and has its own routes, docks, and tickets. If a Navy Pier water taxi stop is essential, that's the operator to look at.

What is the closest Chicago Water Taxi stop to Navy Pier?

The Michigan Avenue dock at 400 N Michigan Avenue, roughly a mile west of Navy Pier. From there it's about a mile east to the pier on foot, or a short bus or rideshare connection.

How do I get from the Michigan Avenue dock to Navy Pier?

Walk about a mile east toward the lakefront, or take a short CTA bus or rideshare connection. Check a current transit app for the bus serving the pier on your travel day, since routes can change.

What are Chicago Water Taxi's stops?

The Main Branch connects Michigan Avenue, Ogilvie/Union (West Loop), and Chinatown, with a separate, limited North Branch service to the Chicago Avenue dock. None of these reach Navy Pier.

When does Chicago Water Taxi operate?

Generally from March through the end of December. It's not a year-round service, and timing can shift, so check the live trip planner before you travel.

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