Bears Game Bus to Soldier Field: Tailgate Rules, Bus Parking and Group Options
Bears Game Bus to Soldier Field: Tailgate Rules, Bus Parking and Group Options
Quick answer: A Bears game bus to Soldier Field takes your whole group from the south suburbs to the Museum Campus and back, with no parking passes to buy and no designated driver. Soldier Field lots open four hours before kickoff, and buses and oversized vehicles park at the Adler Planetarium Lot, which can be reserved in advance through SoldierFieldParking.com. Tailgate rules are strict: grills only in open-air surface lots, no tents or canopies, no heaters or open flames and no saving spaces. From Orland Park and Tinley Park, plan about 45 to 75 minutes each way on game day. A 30-passenger party bus starts at $350 per hour with a 3-hour minimum, about $93 per person for an 8-hour game day. Call (312) 446-7505 or get a free quote!
Open 24/7 · Licensed, experienced drivers · Party buses, Sprinters and coach buses · Local to the south suburbs
Bears Sundays are a Chicago tradition. Fan clubs, office groups, families and friends from the south suburbs all head to the lakefront together. Getting there is where it gets complicated: several cars, prepaid parking passes, Lake Shore Drive traffic, cold weather and a long drive home after the game. A group bus solves all of that. Everyone rides together, the bus handles parking, and nobody has to skip the tailgate to drive.
This guide goes with our sporting events transportation service. It covers Soldier Field tailgate rules, bus parking, drop-off and pickup, timing and group pricing.
Planning a Bears game day for your group? Get a quote for a party bus, Sprinter or coach. Call (312) 446-7505!
Soldier Field Tailgate Rules
These are the main rules in the Chicago Bears parking and transit guide. Rules can change each season, so check the latest Bears game day guide before you go.
| Rule | What it means for your group |
|---|---|
| Lots open four hours before kickoff | A noon kickoff means lots open at 8 AM |
| Grills only in open-air surface lots | No grills in enclosed garages or on the lower level of Waldron Deck |
| No open flames or heaters | No fire pits, propane heaters or infrared heaters in any lot |
| Propane tank limit | Tanks over 19 lbs are not allowed on campus |
| No tents or canopies | Plan for cold and wind with layers instead |
| Stay in your space | Setups and grills cannot spread beyond your marked space, and saving spaces is not allowed |
| No tailgating during the game | Pack up before you head inside |
| After the game | Tailgating ends two hours after day games. It is not allowed after night games in Museum Campus lots |
Bus Parking at Soldier Field
- Adler Planetarium Lot is the main lot for buses and oversized vehicles.
- Reserve ahead through SoldierFieldParking.com. Drive-up bus parking is first come, first served.
- McCormick Place Lot B on 31st Street can also take buses and RVs when space is available.
- Book early for big games, such as the Packers, holiday games and playoff games, when lots fill fast.
Drop-Off and Pickup
Buses use the drop-off and pickup area set by the Bears and Soldier Field for that game day. Taxis, limousines and buses cannot enter the campus from 90 minutes after kickoff until one hour after the game ends, so pickup times are planned around the final whistle. Your driver confirms the meeting point before you head inside, so your group knows exactly where to go after the game.
Game Day Timing From the South Suburbs
| Plan | Noon kickoff | 3:25 PM kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Full tailgate, arrive when lots open | Leave about 6:45 to 7:00 AM | Leave about 10:15 AM |
| Short tailgate, about 2 hours | Leave about 8:45 AM | Leave about 12:15 PM |
| No tailgate, straight to the gates | Leave about 10:00 AM | Leave about 1:30 PM |
These times are based on Orland Park and Tinley Park. Leave earlier from Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox. Lake Shore Drive and the Stevenson can back up badly on game day, so the extra time is worth it.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
| Vehicle | Passengers | Starting rate per hour | Minimum hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger shuttle Sprinter | 14 | $180 | 2 |
| 14-passenger party Sprinter | 14 | $250 | 2 |
| Hummer stretch limo | 18 | $350 | 3 |
| Freightliner party bus | 30 | $350 | 3 |
| Coach bus | 35 to 57 | $450 to $650 | 3 |
See our full fleet and pricing.
Cost Per Person Examples
| Group | Example total | Per person before gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| 14 friends, party Sprinter, 8 hours | $2,000 | About $143 |
| 30 fans, party bus, 8 hours | $2,800 | About $93 |
| 50 coworkers, 50-passenger coach, 8 hours | $4,400 | About $88 |
An 8-hour day covers the drive both ways, a tailgate of about 2 to 3 hours, the game and pickup. A shorter tailgate lowers the cost.
Fan club or company outing? A coach bus gets up to 57 fans to Soldier Field together.
Cold Weather Game Day Tips
- Dress in layers. Lakefront wind makes late-season games feel much colder.
- Use the bus as your warm-up spot during the tailgate, since tents and heaters are not allowed in the lots.
- Check the bag policy. Soldier Field follows the NFL clear bag policy.
- Go mobile. Tickets and parking passes are digital, so charge your phone before you leave.
- Agree on a meeting point after the game so nobody gets left behind.
Other Game Day Trips
Heading to Green Bay or South Bend? Read our Packers game bus guide and Notre Dame game day bus guide. Hockey fans can see our Blackhawks game party bus guide.
South Suburbs We Serve
We pick up across the south suburbs, including Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Homer Glen and Oak Lawn. See all service areas.
Bears Game Bus FAQs
When do Soldier Field parking lots open?
Lots open four hours before kickoff.
Where do buses park at Soldier Field?
The Adler Planetarium Lot is the main lot for buses and oversized vehicles. McCormick Place Lot B on 31st Street can also take buses when space is available.
Do I need to reserve bus parking?
Reserving through SoldierFieldParking.com is recommended. Drive-up bus parking is first come, first served.
Can we tailgate at Soldier Field?
Yes, in the stadium lots before the game. Grills are allowed only in open-air surface lots, and tents, canopies, heaters and open flames are not allowed.
Can we tailgate after the game?
After day games, tailgating ends two hours after the game. It is not allowed after night games in Museum Campus lots.
How long is the drive from the south suburbs to Soldier Field?
From Orland Park and Tinley Park, plan about 45 to 75 minutes each way on game day.
What time should we leave for a noon kickoff?
Leave about 6:45 to 7:00 AM for a full tailgate, about 8:45 AM for a short tailgate, or about 10:00 AM to go straight to the gates.
How much does a Bears game bus cost?
Our party bus starts at $350 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. An 8-hour game day for 30 people is about $93 per person before gratuity.
What vehicle is best for a big group?
The 30-passenger party bus works for most groups. Fan clubs and company outings with more than 30 people are best in a coach bus.
Where will the bus pick us up after the game?
At the bus pickup area set for that game day. Your driver confirms the meeting point before you go inside.
Can you take our group to away games?
Yes. We run game day trips to Green Bay, South Bend and other destinations.
How do I book?
Call (312) 446-7505 or get a free quote with your game date, group size and pickup town.
Book Your Bears Game Bus
Call (312) 446-7505 · Open 24/7 · Serving the south suburbs and Chicago
