Shoreline Water Taxis

Water Taxi Season: Late May – September, weather permitting

More sights, less traffic

Skip the car, take the water taxi

Shoreline water taxis are the fast and fun way to get to Chicago’s top attractions. Beloved by commuters and visitors alike, our water taxis aren’t tours, but they are a great way to get around town.

Our water taxi service begins in May and runs through September, with additional service throughout the spring and fall for special events. All water taxi service is weather dependent. Please note that our water taxis are not wheelchair accessible and that some of the docks are not at street level (such as Union Station), so passengers will need to be able to climb stairs.

Shoreline Sightseeing water taxi on river

All aboard

Docks

We have multiple docks conveniently located near major attractions including Navy Pier, the Willis (Sears) Tower, Michigan Avenue, Museum Campus, and Union Station.

Routes

River Route

Serves Navy Pier Polk Bros Park, Michigan Avenue, and Willis (Sears) Tower/Union Station.

Lake route

This route connects Navy Pier Dock Street with the Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Adler Planetarium), offers impressive views of the skyline, and is walking distance to Soldier Field and Northerly Island.

Times and Tickets

Water Taxi Schedule

Water taxis depart every 30 minutes, weather and customer traffic permitting. Our schedule is updated daily. Please call us at 312-222-9328 ext. 1 for the most current departure times and locations.

Note: All water taxi locations only accept credit or debit cards; no cash is exchanged at these locations.

Pricing:

Lake Route

Every day: $15 adults, $8 children

River Route

Every day: $15 adults, $8 children

All the info you need

Water Taxi FAQs

Where do the water taxis go?

The lake taxis go between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium and are within walking distance of Soldier Field and Northerly Island).

The river taxis go from Navy Pier to Michigan Avenue and Union Station/the Willis tower.

How often do the water taxis run?

Water taxis run every 30 minutes during the main season of Memorial Day through Labor Day. Water taxis may also run outside the main season in the spring and fall, weather permitting.

Are water taxi reservations available?

The water taxis operate as public transportation similar to buses, so reservations are not available. All tickets are sold in-person at our Shoreline kiosks or as you board.

Do water taxis run if it’s raining?

In the summer, we usually run water taxis if it rains. We typically do not run them in the rain during spring or fall. The decision to cancel is left solely to the captain who decides whether it’s safe to sail.

Do your water taxis have covered seating?

Our water taxis have both open and covered areas.

Are there restrooms on the boats?

Yes, all of our water taxis have restrooms.

Are your water taxi boats accessible to people with disabilities?

Our water taxis are not accessible to people with disabilities. Please call if you have additional questions.

Is your service dependable?

Yes, because we have the largest boat fleet in Chicago, we can provide unparalleled service!

What other services do you offer?

Shoreline Sightseeing offers 60- to 75-Minute Architecture River Tours on the Chicago River led by professional and entertaining guides. We also offer 40-minute Skyline Lake Tours on Lake Michigan, featuring a professional narration on the city’s history and landmarks along Chicago’s famous skyline. We also offer Fireworks Cruises during the summer.

Are water taxi tickets for a round trip ride or a one-way service?

Our water taxis provide one-way service between each dock location. To transfer to another taxi or to take a return trip requires a new ticket.