How to Beat the Queues at the Willis Tower Skydeck
By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read
Quick answer
The Willis Tower Skydeck costs from about $32 for adults ($24 for children 3-11), and The Ledge glass boxes are included. Expedited entry costs about $55. Go at opening (around 9 am) on a weekday, as summer weekend queues can be over an hour, mostly for The Ledge.
At a glance
- Adults
- From about $32
- Children 3-11
- About $24
- Expedited entry
- From about $55
- The Ledge
- Included
- Best time
- 9 am on a weekday
- Busiest
- Summer weekends and sunset
- Time to allow
- 1-2 hours
How busy is the Skydeck?
The Skydeck's queues are in three places: security, the lifts and The Ledge. On summer weekends, total waits can run past an hour.
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Before you go, check how busy the Willis Tower Skydeck is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for US holidays, school breaks and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Willis Tower →Best (and worst) times to go
- 9 am on a weekday: short queues.
- Late evening: city lights and shorter Ledge lines.
- Worst: summer weekend afternoons and sunset.
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Our hourly forecast for the Skydeck shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Willis Tower →Insider tips that actually save time
- Book a timed ticket online.
- Check the weather, as cloud hides the view.