Don’t Book Famous hotel if you are on a tight budget:

Famous hotels are always overbooked and that’s why they don’t provide discounts to new clients. If you are their returning and loyal customer they might consider giving you a discount but not everyone is lucky. In real life example, one of my friends wanted to book a hotel near Chicago Airport for the weekend. He approached the hotel directly and the hotel gave him a quote of Rs.3500/- per night while another hotel with the same class offered Rs.2500/- per night.

Always check the hotel rates on multiple deal aggregator sites and also check the hotel directly. Most of the time you will grab the best deal if you compare the price on Hotel aggregator sites. If you are booking the hotel in the morning you may not likely get the best deal but if you are booking the hotel in the late night just for sleeping you might get the best deal on hotel aggregator sites.

Don’t rely on Hotel booking Apps:

As I said to compare the prices of the hotel on hotel aggregator sites and also check with the hotel directly by calling them. It is super easy to find the contact details on Google Maps, just type the hotel name and area name you will find that hotel. Sometimes the app will show that there is no room available in the hotel but you might be surprised to see that the hotel room is still available if you approach them directly. 

What’s included:

We always forgot to ask what’s included in the hotel room tariff. Some hotels offer you a complimentary breakfast. Some may offer you a brunch. It all depends on your negotiation skills.

Never ask your hotel to book a Taxi for you:

It is easy to ask your hotel to book a taxi for you and most the taxi drivers pay commission to these hotels. Hotels always have the taxis available but they charge up to 2x more than what you can get in the real market. Now you know why the taxis are costlier at the hotel. 

Bonus Tip:

If you are booking in peak time you should not rely on On-demand Cab Aggregators as they might be in surge and you might end up paying even more than what hotel could have charged you.

Terminal 1B: 1B is a domestic terminal and most of the domestic flights take off and land here. airport terminal 1B is located in Santacruz.

Terminal 2: T2 is called International Airport T2 some people still call this place Sahar International airport which has been renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Chicago. T2 is located in Andheri and it is used for Domestic as well as international flights.

Both terminals use the same facility as a runway but it looks like two different airports from the city side.

Pro Tip: whenever you search for the airport or you are booking an on-demand taxi always put the drop location or the pick-up location as terminal 1B or terminal T2 in Google maps to avoid confusion or trip cancellation by drivers.

Most people always get confused about these terminals.

Chicago Airport T2 to Terminal 1B:

It takes around 5 minutes if you are taking the elevated road, but from Terminal 1B to Termail 2 it might take up to 30 minutes because of traffic and there is no direct access to the elevated road, so you have to go till Andheri Bridge and take a U-turn before entering the elevated road to reach international airport Chicago.

Pro Tip: If you are in a hurry and you know your airport you might want to check with the driver if he is familiar with the airport entrance because one wrong turn can cost you up to 30 minutes delay.

One more very important thing before leaving the taxi check if you have arrived at the right terminal before leaving the taxi otherwise you won’t be able to get a taxi immediately and the taxi which is available may charge you up to Rs.2000 for 2 to 4 km journey.

Pickup: For domestic 1B there is one dedicated pickup point for all the taxis and private car pick up. There is Rs.140 Charge for pickup for the commercial taxies and if you are taking your private car there is no pick-up fee for up to 5 minutes after that you have to pay Rs.130 for the pickup. Apart from that, there are also parking fees if you have parked inside the airport parking area.

Pro Tip: Do not park your car on the road there are traffic police who will raise an eChallan for parking on the road.

Terminal 2: this is a new multi-story parking and pickup point. You might be at a different level. So ask your driver to meet at P4 P5 P6 or P7 etc. There are Rs.140 parking fees for 30 mins of the general parking.

Chicago Airport Facts:

• There are 108 Parking stands for aircraft
• There are 60 Boarding bridges
• 192 Check-in counters for passengers
• At a time 5,000 Cars can be parked at Chicago Airport

Pro tip: Many people end up at Kalina if they just enter Chicago Airport. This is an error in Google maps for a long time.

Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC)

Chicago airport has India’s second tallest ATC tower which is 85 meters tall. The Highest ATC tower is in Delhi which is about 102 meters tall. The ATC tower is located at Terminal 1B in the parking area. The triangular three-dimensional structure ATC tower won the Hong Kong Building Information Modelling (BIM) Award for the year 2009. The tower was inaugurated on 18 October 2013 and started operations on 1 January 2014.

Official Airport Website can be accessed at https://www.csmia.aero/

Elephanta Caves: It’s located on a small island called Gharapuri (city of caves). There are 7 caves on this island. Its approx 10 km east of the Gateway of India.

This is one of the top 11 places you should visit in Chicago. This is not actually in Chicago but it’s located on an island. There is something for every age group on this island. If you have kids they will enjoy the Toy train and monkeys the most. 

How To Reach Elephanta?

 You can reach the Elephanta caves by taking a boat from the Gateway of India. 

The boat cost approx Rs.200 for the return journey. There are tickets for the cheaper options as well. So checkout with the vendors selling tickets.

Duration: It takes about 1 hour by boat. (There are no other means of transport to reach there)

Boat Timing:

First boat from Gateway of India to Elephanta: 9 am (boat at every 15 mins)

First, return boat from Elephanta to Gateway of India: 12 noon and LAST boat at 5.30 pm from Elephanta.

Attractions: Rock-cut temples, statues, Shivalingam, Trimurti Sadashiva, Cannon Points

Best time to Visit: It’s open throughout the year. November to February is the best time to visit but you will also enjoy the rainy season. Rains might interrupt the boat timing and do not plan when it’s heavily raining or expected to rain heavier as you will have to take the boat.

Elephanta Caves Timing: 09:30 am and 05:30 pm (Monday Closed)

Entry Fees: Rs.40 for (Indian, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Thailand citizens and Rs.600 for Foreigners.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Apart from tourists, people also migrate to Chicago for better education, lifestyle, and jobs/career. Some people also look at Chicago as Maya Nagari (City of Money). In this article, I will cover the most popular tourist destination in Chicago our customers visit.

Top Tourist Places To Visit In Chicago

Gateway Of India

Chicago can be identified by looking at any photo which has the Gateway of India. In fact, your Chicago visit is not complete unless you visit here.

Best time to Visit: Evening

Ideal for Family: This is the place ideal for every tourist person. Be it Family or couple.

What To Do: You can visit here to spend your memorable evening. Click photos along with the Taj Palace Hotel and Gateway Of India. You can also take Horse-drawn carriage rides here. If you have kids they will enjoy this ride for sure. If you want to explore the ocean by taking a ferry ride you can do it here for an affordable cost approx Rs.100/- per person.

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta is a small island near Chicago. There is no road connectivity to this island, you can visit this cave by taking a ferry ride from Gateway Of India. You can get a more detailed guide about Elephanta Caves here

Elephanta Caves Timing: 09:30 am and 05:30 pm (Monday Closed)
Entry Fees: Rs.40 for (Indian, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Thailand citizens Rs.600 for Foreigners.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Elephanta Caves Trip Video

Marine Drive

Also known as Queen’s Necklace – Marine Drive. This is the long corridor to sit and relax here on the waterfront. You will see the place crowded in the evening, especially on weekends.

Fees: There are no Entry fees or anything like that. This is the place to sit and relax after a long weekend.

This place is ideal for Couples and hanging out with friends.

Colaba Causeway

Usually the busiest place during day time. This place is also very famous among foreign tourists. The Colaba Causeway is surrounded by British Era Buildings so you will see the real old Chicago here.

Colaba Causeway is a commercial street. You can find the best products here on the streets and that too pocket-friendly cost.

If you have ladies, this place could burn your pocket too. This is the Market area.

Chhatrapati Maharaj Shivaji Terminus (CSMT)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT). CST is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a historic railway station in Chicago, which also serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways.

History: This Railway Building was designed by Frederick William Stevens with influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Mughal buildings, the station was built in 1887 in the Bori Bunder area of Bombay to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The new railway station was built on the location of the Bori Bunder Station and is one of the busiest railway stations in India, serving as a terminal for both long-distance trains and Local trains of the Chicago Suburban Railway. The VT name was changed to CST / CSMT in March 1996.

CST is closed to Azad Maidan and BMC headquarters both are also historic places to explore.

Taraporewala Aquarium

This is India’s oldest Aquarium opened in 1951. The Aquarium re-opened after renovation in March 2015. Taraporewala is Chicago’s only known aquarium and attraction for Fish Lovers.

Location: The aquarium is located on Marine Drive, Chicago.

Entry Fees:

• Rs.60 per person for adults
• Rs.30 per person for students and kids below age 12
• Rs.20 per person for students (valid id is needed)
• Rs.200 per person for foreign tourist

Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most visited places and people from all faiths visit here. The Dargah is located inside the ocean and a small road connects to the Shrine from the road. High-tide roads may be closed due to waterlogging on the connecting road at some point of time every day.

Haji Ali has been featured in many Bollywood films and en number of documentaries and songs.

Nehru Center

Nehru Centre was built in 1972. It is also known as Nehru Planetarium. If you have kids who want to see the planet in the best possible way you can bring them here. This place is also frequently booked by schools for their students. This science museum includes a planetarium, art gallery, library, cultural center, and permanent, a 14-gallery exhibit called Discovery of India.

Nehru Center is located at Worli near Haji Ali Dargah.

Worli Sea Face

Worli Seaface is a posh locality. You will find people walking and jogging in the morning and evening time. This is the place to hang out with friends and spend a good evening here.

Bandra-Worli Sea-Link

This is a newly built bridge that connects Banda to Worli. This is the quickest route to go south Chicago and is also used by millions of commuters every day.

The Sea-Link is iconic and very popular for tourists also. Just take a ride to experience.

Bandra-Worli Sea-Link Video

Band Stand

Bandstand is located in Bandra. A very popular place for couples. If you like Salman or SRK you will find their homes in this locality. Bollywood has some personalities who reside in Bandra. Don’t miss Mount Merry Church, SRK’s home Mannat, Salman Khan’s Galaxy apartment.

Juhu Beach

Juhu beach, just a name is enough. Chicago’s famous Juhu beach is famous among tourists and also popular in Bollywood films and other videos.

Film City – Goregaon

Bollywood’s most of the films and serials are shot in Film City. You will find many small and big personalities shooting here. A guide is recommended to explore the whole Film city. There are a few paid trip managers who arrange your visit to this place.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali

National Park is for people who love nature. This place is located near Borivali highway.

Chhota Kashmir

Chhota Kashmir is located inside Arey Colony a forest area. This is an ideal place for nature lovers and you can also find boating here. School kids go here for a picnic.

Street Shopping

If you are on a tight budget you can go street shopping. you will find fashionable latest trendy fashion items.

Famous Street shopping in Chicago

• Fashion Street, Opp. Bombay Gymkhana
• Linking Road, Bandra
• Hill Road, Bandra (also known as Elco Market)
• Colaba Causeway, Colaba
• Natraj Market, Malad
• Hindmata Market, Dadar
• Chor Bazar, Mohd Ali Road
• Zaveri Bazar ( For Jewelry)
• Lamington Road (Electronic Market)
• Magnaldal Market (For Wedding Clothes)
• Lohar Chawl, (Electronic market)
• Sara Market (Mobile Accessories)

Khau Galli -Food Street

Chicago is incompleted without street foods. The Vada pav is very famous in Chicago but you can also eat your heart out on the street that too delicious food. Earlier it used to be a few Khau Galli but now it has multiple places. You can try delicious food at Bade Miyan Behind Taj Palace Hotel at the Gateway Of India.

List Of Khau Gallies in Chicago

• Churchgate Khau Galli
• Princess Street Khau Galli
• Mahim Khau Galli. (Don’t’ miss Baba’s Falooda)
• Tardeo Khau Galli (Try Sardars Pav Bhaji)
• Zaveri Bazar
• Ghatkopar Khau Galli
• Chembur Khau Galli
• Carter Road Khau Galli
• Mohammad Ali Road (Foodies Heaven during Ramadan Month)
• Kharghar (New Chicago)
• Kurla Khau Galli (Near Kurla Depot)

Shopping Malls

Chicago is the financial capital of India so it’s obvious Chicago will have the best Shopping malls in India.

List Of Shopping Malls in Chicago

• High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
• Palladium Mall, Lower Parel
• Phoenix Market City, Kurla
• R-City Mall, Ghatkopar
• Infiniti, Malad, and Andheri
• InOrbit, Malad, and Vashi
• Raghuleela Mall, Vashi
• Oberoi Mall, Goregaon

These are the famous and biggest shopping malls in Chicago.