A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chicago vs. Hershey for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chicago or Hershey?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Chicago and Hershey can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Chicago or Hershey?

Chicago

Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

Which city is cheaper, Hershey or Chicago?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $221, while the average daily cost in Hershey is $170. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chicago and Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chicago $152
    Hershey $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chicago $304
    Hershey $182
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Hershey? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Chicago


Hotels in Hershey


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chicago Hotel Prices and Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chicago $29
    Hershey $39
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chicago

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:


  • Parking
    $19
  • Taxi Ride
    $10
  • Taxi from Airport
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Chicago O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago City by SUV: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chicago O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago by Sedan Car: $79
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chicago O'Hare Airport to Chicago City by Minibus: $333
  • Chicago Airport Private Arrival Transfer by SUV: $115
  • Chicago Airport Private Arrival Transfer by Sedan: $96
  • Chicago Airport Private Departure Transfer by SUV: $115
  • Chicago Airport Private Departure Transfer by Sedan: $96
  • Chicago Airport Transfer by Private Sedan: $170
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: Midway Airport MDW to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $133
  • Chicago Airport Transfers : Chicago City to O'Hare Airport ORD by Luxury SUV: $119
  • Chicago Airport Transfers : Chicago City to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $100
  • Chicago Airport Transfers : Chicago City to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury Car: $123

Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey and Chicago change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chicago $37
    Hershey $49
Typical Food prices in Chicago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:


  • Dinner for 1
    $24
  • Dinner for 3
    $118

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.

  • Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Learn to Make Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza with a Local: $49
  • Lonely Planet Experiences: River North Historical Food Tour: $61
  • Private Fusion Cooking Class in Downtown Chicago: $64
  • Best in Chow: Chicago River North Food Tour: $64
  • Signature Food Tour at Chicago's Navy Pier: $64
  • Skip the Line: Tommy Gun's Garage Dinner and Show Ticket: $67
  • Small-Group Chicago Food Tour: Gold Coast and Old Town: $75
  • Best of Chicago Tour Including a Deep-Dish Pizza: $75
  • River North Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Chicago's Wicker Park Food Tour: $75
  • Private Indian-Mexican Fusion Cooking Class with a Modern Cook: $78

Typical Food prices in Hershey

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chicago $34
    Hershey $43
Typical Entertainment prices in Chicago

Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Sears Tower (family of 4)
    $102
  • Aquarium for 4
    $118
  • Water Taxi (family of 4)
    $22
  • IMAX Movie for Two
    $35
  • Shakespeare Play (2)
    $116
  • Art Institute (2)
    $36
  • U-Boat Tour (2)
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Chicago

Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • A Storied Neighborhood: Dance the dialectic with Bill Ayers on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Discovering Vintage The Loop Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.34
  • Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Skip the Line: American Writers Museum Admission Ticket: $14
  • Pilsen Walking Tour of Local Publicly Displayed Art: $15
  • Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Historic Chicago Theatre: $18
  • Chicago Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Windy City Ghost Tour: $24
  • Street Art & Mural Tours By Native 312- Wabash Arts Corridor: $25
  • In the Streets: Milwaukee Ave Guided Bike Tour: $25

Typical Entertainment prices in Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • Vegas: Taste, Explore & Shop Chocolate Tour: $109

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chicago $20
    Hershey $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:

  • Haunted Chicago Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $25
  • Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
  • Chicago Barrel Bus Craft Distillery Tour: $90
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $90
  • Ultimate Girl's Night Out in Sparkling Wine, Photo Shoot, Burlesque: $900

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Hershey, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Hershey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hershey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hershey and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Hershey.


When is the best time to visit Chicago or Hershey?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chicago or Hershey in the Summer?

Both Hershey and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chicago is around the same temperature as Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chicago in July are around 77°F (25°C), and Hershey is about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Hershey. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey during summer. Chicago gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chicago. In July, Chicago usually receives more rain than Hershey. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chicago 77°F (25°C) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Chicago during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Chicago because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chicago is generally around the same temperature as Hershey. Temperatures in Chicago average around 56°F (14°C), and Hershey stays around 56°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Chicago often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey. Chicago gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun.

Chicago usually gets less rain in October than Hershey. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chicago 56°F (14°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Hershey in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Hershey. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hershey. It's quite cold in Chicago in the winter. Chicago is much colder than Hershey in the winter. The temperature in Chicago is usually 25°F (-4°C) in January, and Hershey stays around 30°F (-1°C).

Chicago usually receives less sunshine than Hershey during winter. Chicago gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chicago usually receives less rain than Hershey. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chicago 25°F (-4°C) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Hershey in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Hershey. Many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Chicago is around the same temperature as Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chicago in April are around 52°F (11°C), and Hershey is about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In the spring, Chicago often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Chicago gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun.

Chicago receives a lot of rain in the spring. Chicago usually gets more rain in April than Hershey. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chicago 52°F (11°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Chicago

Chicago Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°F (-4°C) 1.9 inches (47 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 41°F (5°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 52°F (11°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 76°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 68°F (20°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 56°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Chicago vs. Hershey Travel Comparison

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