Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana or Chicago?
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 Havana and Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Chicago?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $65Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Havana and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Havana and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Chicago? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $202
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $127
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Round-Trip Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Havana 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
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Food Meals for one dayHavana $10Chicago $49
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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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 : $40
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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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:
- Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.63
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $12
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Chicago $25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Chicago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Havana or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
Havana is around the same temperature as Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Chicago. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Havana or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Havana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Havana or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Chicago. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Havana or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Havana as well as Chicago. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Havana is much warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Havana usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Havana
| Havana | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.