Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Minsk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minsk or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Chicago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Minsk or Chicago?
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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 dayMinsk $64Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, 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 Minsk and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinsk $32Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinsk $64Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.Minsk $12Chicago $37
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 O´Hare International Airport Private Transfer One-Way: $27
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Airports ORD Or MDW: $50
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- ORD Airport Private Transfer to/from Chicago: $81
- Private one-way airport transfer O'Hare Airport to/from Chicago : $86
- Private Transfer Chicago to Chicago Airport by Luxury Car or SUV: $87
- MDW Airport Private Transfer to/from Chicago: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Minsk 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 dayMinsk $21Chicago $49
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
- 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 Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Minsk $20Chicago $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
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $9.25
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket at Guaranteed Rate Field: $9.32
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
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 dayMinsk $14Chicago $25
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 Minsk and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Minsk is in Europe 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 Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minsk or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk or Chicago?
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 Minsk or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Chicago. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Minsk is cooler than Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minsk in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Minsk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Minsk usually receives less rain than Chicago. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 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 JulyMinsk 19°C (66°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Minsk or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Chicago. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In October, Minsk is generally much colder than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (47°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 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 OctoberMinsk 8°C (47°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Minsk or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Chicago. It's quite cold in Minsk in the winter. Minsk is cooler than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Minsk usually receives less rain than Chicago. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryMinsk -5°C (22°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Minsk or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Minsk is cooler than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minsk in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Chicago averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 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 AprilMinsk 8°C (46°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Minsk
| Minsk | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.