Guest Transportation
Wedding Hotel Shuttle Planning in Chicago
A step-by-step guide to keeping guests on time, safe, and stress-free.
Do I need hotel shuttles for my Chicago wedding?
If 50+ guests are staying at partner hotels or parking off-site, shuttles are the easiest way to keep arrivals on time and reduce traffic near the venue.
1) Confirm Hotel Blocks & Guest Count
Start with your hotel room blocks. Estimate how many guests will ride by surveying the wedding party and family first, then general guests. A safe planning range is 60-70% of guests using shuttles.
2) Map the Route and Timing
In Chicago, allow extra time for traffic on Michigan Ave, Lake Shore Drive, and the Kennedy. We typically schedule first pickups 75-90 minutes before ceremony time.
3) Choose Vehicle Size
- 14-passenger Sprinter: best for one hotel or smaller weddings
- Executive mini-bus (24-28): great for two nearby hotels
- 56-passenger motor coach: best for large blocks or suburb venues
4) Build Two Return Waves
Plan at least two return trips during the last hour of the reception. This avoids crowding and keeps guests from waiting outside late at night.
5) Assign a Shuttle Captain
Designate a point person to coordinate the final headcount and timing changes. We stay in contact with your captain to adjust trips in real time.
Need help with shuttle logistics?
We’ll build your route map, timeline, and vehicle plan in one call.