Waukegan travel guide

Waukegan Tourism | Waukegan Guide

You're Going to Love Waukegan

With a population of 89,078, Waukegan is a must-see destination in Illinois, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Waukegan has to offer.

When to visit Waukegan

Waukegan in March
Estimated hotel price
$97
1 night at 3-star hotel
Waukegan in March
Estimated hotel price
$97
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Waukegan

Plane

Although Waukegan doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Chicago All airports (CHI), which is located 56 km from Waukegan. The shortest domestic flight to Waukegan departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 53m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Waukegan, followed by Lufthansa. The train journey from Waukegan to Milwaukee takes 1h 19m and costs around $20 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Greensboro, expect to pay about $12 for a 1h 21m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Waukegan is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 57 km from Waukegan. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Waukegan, including Bus, Amtrak and Greyhound. From Milwaukee, the bus ride to Waukegan takes 129 km and will cost you around $76. From Monona, the ticket costs about $77 for a journey of 282 km.

Plane

Although Waukegan doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Chicago All airports (CHI), which is located 56 km from Waukegan. The shortest domestic flight to Waukegan departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 53m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Waukegan, followed by Lufthansa. The train journey from Waukegan to Milwaukee takes 1h 19m and costs around $20 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Greensboro, expect to pay about $12 for a 1h 21m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Waukegan is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 57 km from Waukegan. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Waukegan, including Bus, Amtrak and Greyhound. From Milwaukee, the bus ride to Waukegan takes 129 km and will cost you around $76. From Monona, the ticket costs about $77 for a journey of 282 km.

Airports near Waukegan

Airlines serving Waukegan

Lufthansa
Good (4,676 reviews)
KLM
Good (845 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,623 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,582 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,109 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,984 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,995 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (837 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,758 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,582 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,546 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,356 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (747 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (772 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (486 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,323 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Waukegan

Most booked hotels in Waukegan

Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Waukegan Gurnee
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 532 reviews)
$117+
Wingate by Wyndham Gurnee
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 445 reviews)
$83+
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago Waukegan/Gurnee
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 299 reviews)
$144+
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 139 reviews)
$207+
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago North-Waukegan-Gurnee
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 585 reviews)
$126+
Sonesta Simply Suites Chicago Waukegan
2 stars
Excellent (8.2, 592 reviews)
$106+

Renting a car in Waukegan

Renting a car in Waukegan costs $60 per day, on average, or $179 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 13% cheaper than airport locations in Waukegan.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Waukegan (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Compact (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Waukegan, while also 48% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Waukegan costs $60 per day, on average, or $179 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 13% cheaper than airport locations in Waukegan.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Waukegan (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Compact (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Waukegan, while also 48% cheaper than other types, on average.