Local Customs

First time in Chicago? With this “How To” guide, you’ll look like a local in no time! 

How To...

Hail a cab

Understand your cab fare

Find transportation for visitors with disabilities

Tip for travel-related services

Good to Know...

Weather

Driving

Smoking

Drinking

Prescription Drugs

Sales Tax

Cell Phones and Electronics

How To...

Hail a cab

1. Look to see if you are in a cab-populated area (i.e. downtown or a busy intersection). Cabs are harder to find in residential neighborhoods or the outskirts of the city.
2. Stand on the curb (not in the street) facing oncoming traffic.
3. If a cab is available, a light on the roof of the car will be lit. Raise your hand as the cab approaches to get the driver’s attention.
4. If no cabs can be found, call a local cab company and give them the full address of your pickup location.

Understand your cab fare

1. Most cabs can accept credit cards as payment. However, it’s a good idea to ask your driver ahead of time, especially if you don’t have enough cash.
2. Cab fare in Chicago starts at $2.25 (once the cab begins driving) and increases $0.20 for each 1/9th of a mile. Look for a meter in the front seat to monitor your fare.
3. Most cabs charge flat rates from downtown Chicago to O’Hare or Midway Airport. This rate is usually posted in your cab.
4. If you have one additional passenger between the ages of 12 and 65, there is an additional $1 charge. There is a $0.50 charge for each passenger after that.
5. To cover rising gas costs, a new ordinance allows a surcharge of $1 to be added to all fares if the average gas price in Chicago exceeds $3.20 for seven consecutive business days.
6. It is standard to tip the driver about 15 percent of the fare. An additional $1 or $2 per bag can be added if the driver helps you with luggage.
7. If you’re including the cab ride as a business expense, request a receipt.

Find transportation for visitors with disabilities

1. Wheelchair-accessible minivans equipped with ramps, wheelchair securements and shoulder seat belts are offered by more than 20 cab companies in Chicago.
2. To order an accessible taxi, call the toll-free centralized dispatch service at 1.800.281.4466.
3. The public transportation system in Chicago accommodates individuals with disabilities by offering a reduced fare and accessible trains and buses—visit http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com to plan a route via accessible stations.
4. For information on Chicago’s curb-to-curb “dial a ride” paratransit service, visit http://www.pacebus.com.

Tips for travel-related services

1. Tipping is customary, but you are not required to tip if you feel you have been mistreated or received especially bad service. Ask to speak with a supervisor first, since skipping a tip is often perceived as an insult.
2. In restaurants: tip servers 15-20% of the bill. Bartenders should receive about $1 per drink. At a self-serve restaurant or coffee shop, a tip is optional. When food is delivered, tip the delivery person about 10%.
3. In hotels: if the concierge arranges tickets, a dinner reservation or special service for you, tip a minimum of $5. Valet should receive $2 or $3. The doorman should receive $2 for hailing a cab or assisting with luggage.
4. At spas and salons: leave a 20% tip for your stylist /service provider.

Good to Know...

Weather:

• Seasons in Chicago are fairly unpredictable. Sudden changes of weather and large daily temperature ranges are common in Chicago.
• Check weather updates often before leaving for your trip. Visit www.weather.com for both long-range predictions and up-to-the-minute reports.
• From November through February, expect lots of snow. The average annual snow fall amount is 37 inches (949 mm). Daily low temperatures in the winter range from 32°F (0°C) to 0°F (-18°C).
• Though Chicago’s nickname is “The Windy City”, it is not significantly breezier than other American cities. Average wind speeds range from 8 mph (13 km/h) in late summer to 12 mph (19 km/h) in spring months.
• During the summer, expect moderately high humidity and occasional thunderstorms. Daily high temperatures in Chicago usually stay between 78°F and 92°F (26°C to 33°C).

Driving:

• Drive on the right side of the road while in the U.S.
• Sixteen is the legal driving age. Depending on the car rental company, 18 or 21 is the legal age to rent a car (surcharges may apply for drivers under 25).
• You are required to have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance if driving a private vehicle. International drivers are not required to have an international driving permit in the U.S., but must carry a form of photo ID (i.e. passport) along with their native driver's license.
• Speeds are measured in miles per hour (mph) and speed limits are posted regularly along most streets and highways. If you are uncertain of the speed limit, observe the speeds of other drivers and follow this general guide:  

• In Chicago, it is illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving a car. Drivers may be fined $50 to $200.
• It is illegal for anyone traveling in a vehicle to be consuming alcohol. Both the driver of the vehicle and the passengers can be cited with a traffic violation. Limousines and chartered buses are exceptions to this rule.
• It is illegal to transport alcohol with a broken seal in the passenger compartment of your car. You may be fined up to $2,500 and/or receive jail time. Open bottles of alcohol should be transported in the trunk.

Smoking:

• Eighteen is the legal smoking age. A photo ID is required for both purchasing and smoking cigarettes.
• Smoking is banned in public places in Chicago. This includes all bars and restaurants. Smokers cannot smoke indoors, and must stay at least 15 feet away from entrances, exits and windows that open.
• Up to 25% of hotel rooms can be designated as smoking rooms. Check with your hotel to specifically request a smoking or non-smoking room.

Drinking:

• Twenty-one is the legal drinking age. A photo ID is required for both purchasing and consuming alcohol.
• It is illegal to drive a car under the influence of alcohol. Do not drink and drive!
• Most bars in Chicago close at 2 am weeknights, and 3 am on Saturday nights. About 100 bars in the city are open until 4 am on weeknights and 5 am on Saturday nights. Patrons will be given notice of a “last call” for ordering drinks during the hour before a bar closes.
• Alcohol cannot be sold before 11 am on Sundays.
• Bottles of alcohol can be purchased at liquor stores, convenience stores, and some grocery stores.
• It is illegal to drink in the street in Chicago. You may be fined up to $500 and receive jail time.
• Some restaurants allow you to bring your own beer or wine (“B.Y.O.B.”) to enjoy with your meal. Call ahead to ask if this is permitted and whether there is a “corkage fee”.

Prescription Drugs:

• It’s a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription for any drug you take to the U.S.
• Be aware: some drugs that are common in other countries require a prescription or may even be illegal in the U.S.
• You must declare all imported medications to U.S. Customs.
• Carry all medications in their original containers.

Sales Tax:

• A 10.25% tax is applied to all non-perishable goods purchased. A 2% tax is applied to grocery items and drugs/medical supplies.
• An additional 1% tax applies to all food and beverage purchased in the downtown Chicago area.
• Car rentals in the city are taxed at 20%.
• Hotel rooms are taxed at 15.4%.
• Soft drinks are taxed at 13.25%.
• Bottled water is taxed an additional $0.05 per bottle.

Cell Phones and Electronics:

• If you’re visiting Chicago from another country, you may need a special adapter (available at airports and electronics stores) to use your appliances with the 110 voltage in the U.S.
• Check with your service provider in advance to see if your cell phone service will work in the U.S.