Last Updated on January 29, 2022 by Usama
Formerly (and still informally) known as Sears Tower, the Willis Tower is a towering skyscraper located in Chicago. It used to be the world’s tallest artificial structure, and now it’s one of the three tallest buildings in the United States. The Willis Tower is a downtown urban destination that offers amazing Skydeck views, as well as a fitness center, conference center, dining options, etc. If you plan on visiting the Tower and its Skydeck, let us help you plan your visit. Keep reading for information on admission, the Willis Tower parking service, and some tips and tricks on saving money!
How Much Are Tickets to the Willis Tower Skydeck?
The Willis Tower is situated on Wacker Avenue, while the Skydeck Chicago entrance is on Jackson Boulevard. It’s usually open 365 days a year, but the working hours have changed due to the covid-19 pandemic, so be sure to check them out on the official Skydeck website.
General Admission includes access to the Skydeck and the Ledge (glass boxes that extend out 4.3 feet). The best and simplest way to purchase your Willis Tower Skydeck ticket is to book it online. See the ticket prices in the list below.
| Admission | Price |
| Adult | $28 – $35 |
| Youth (3-11) | $22 – $26 |
| Children (under 3) | Free |
Apart from basic admission, the Willis Tower offers a few more convenient admission types.
- Expedited Entry Admission doesn’t save your money, but it certainly saves your time. Pay $55 per person to use the express line to elevators.
- Day/Night Admission includes two entries within a 24 hour period for one visitor. The ticket costs $45 and saves you as low as $11.
- Early Bird Admission allows you to enter before the Tower opens to the public. This VIP early-access ticket costs $65 and helps you skip all the lines and crowds.
Visitors who wish to see the most popular Chicago attractions should purchase a Chicago CityPASS. Apart from the Skydeck Chicago, this pass gets you admission to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, and Museum of Science and Industry. Purchase it to save nearly 50%!
Alternatively, there’s a Go Chicago Card, too. It allows you to choose from 25 attractions, museums, and tours, including Skydeck Chicago. Check out what it offers — All-Inclusive Pass vs. Explorer Pass — and save up to 55% on the city’s top attractions.
The Willis Tower Parking Options
The official Willis Tower parking garage is located at 211 W Adams St, directly across the street from the tower. You can access the Tower Self-Park Garage from either Franklin or Adams Street. Garage parking is only a minute away from the Tower, and it’s the most convenient parking option. Book a spot online or by calling InterPark at 312/935-2724; you may call the same number for additional public parking information.
How Much is Parking at the Willis Tower?
You may reserve a Willis Parking parking pass online in a few simple steps. This pass allows one car to park and have in/out privileges, which means that you can enter and exit the self-parking structure multiple times at the time indicated.
The online short-term parking prices are as follows:
- $12 for up to 3 hours;
- $20 for 3 to 12 hours;
- $22 for 12 to 24 hours.
Accessible parking spaces are available in the garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests who use these spots need to own and display a disabled parking permit or license plate. Standard parking rates apply.
Visitors driving oversized vehicles should note that the height clearance in the garage is 6’2″.
The Willis Tower Parking Alternatives
Even though the official car park is reasonably priced, convenient, and offers covered parking spots, you might want to look into some cheaper alternatives. Fortunately, we already did that, and so you don’t have to waste your time. Listed below is off-site parking availability, public transportation information, as well as some useful info on coupons and groupons.
Off-Site Parking
The downtown area offers plenty of car parking lots, and you can take a walk to or from a city parking area if you wish to lower your costs. We discovered a few nearby options that have competitive rates; check them out in our list below! All facilities are safe and handicap-accessible.
| Downtown Parking Lot/Garage | Address | Parking Rate |
| S. Wacker Dr. Garage | 599 Lower Wacker Dr. | $13 |
| S. Wacker Dr. Lot | 321 S. Wacker Dr. | $10 |
| Monroe/Wells Garage (Valet) | 181 W. Monroe St. | $10 |
| Washington Madison Wells Garage | 172 W. Madison St. | $12 |
Public Transportation
The former Sears Tower is situated near the Blue, Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red Lines on the L — exit at Quincy and walk one block west. The Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station are nearby, too. The Willis Tower is also served by several bus lines, and you can hop on one of the following buses to get to the facility: 7, 126, 151, and 156.
Promo Codes & Groupons
If you want to park as close to the tower as possible, you can use promo codes to park in the official Willis Tower parking garage at a discounted parking price! iParkit often offers an array of promo codes, but you can also find a Groupon that will cut your costs. You may get a valet service or covered parking spot at a budget-friendly price. So, don’t forget to check these out before your journey!
Bottom Line
The Willis Tower Skydeck parking facility is the best option for visitors who value convenience — it’s right across the street and has safe and covered spots. Also, the hourly parking rate is moderate. Three hours is enough for you to get a proper tour of the Skydeck Chicago, and the price for up to 3 hours of parking is $12. However, you can reduce your expenses by using public transit or parking in one of the nearby downtown lots. Pick one of the options based on your priorities, budget, and travel plan.
ParkingAccess.com provides helpful info and all the details you need to know before visiting any facility, airport, or ballpark in the area. So, in addition to Skydeck Chicago Parking, you can find out more about Field Museum Parking or Wrigley Field Parking, which is 7 miles away from the Willis Tower.
If you plan on flying out of Chicago O’Hare Airport or Midway Airport, be sure to compare rates and read customer reviews before reserving a spot!