About Shoreline Water Taxis
The eight original Shoreline Water Taxi boats still ply the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. This taxi is bringing passengers to Shoreline's Union Station/Sears Tower dock.
Giddy Up, commissioned and built to Shoreline’s exact specifications in 2007, is the largest taxi in our fleet, carrying up to 88 passengers. The single deck vessel offers completely covered comfortable bench seating and rest room facilities. Giddy Up is emissions compliant and meets the latest diesel emission requirements, providing an ecologically-friendly commute.
Shoreline Water Taxi is proud to be part of Shoreline Sightseeing. Founded in 1939, Shoreline started with one vessel giving Lake Michigan tours and has grown into Chicago’s largest boat touring fleet with nine touring vessels and nine water taxis. We offer Architecture Cruises on the Chicago River, Skyline Boat Tours on Lake Michigan and Water Taxi service between key Chicago destinations as well as Water Taxi Commuter service between Sears Tower / Union Station and Michigan Avenue.
Shoreline introduced the Water Taxi concept to Chicago in 1996 with our first fast, fun and colorful taxis. Sporting our trademark red, white and blue color scheme, the taxis were soon a familiar sight cruising on the Chicago River and zipping across the Chicago Harbor on Lake Michigan. Our Water Taxis have names like “Skedaddle,” “Vamos” or “Andale, Andale”—whatever the language, the names mean “Let’s Go!” That’s just what the water taxis do, providing convenient transportation for Chicagoans, visitors and commuters. Taxi passengers have told us that getting to their destination was really as much fun as arriving, and who are we to disagree!
Our traditional water taxis carry approximately 40 passengers and, we must admit, there were times we wished we had a larger taxi vessel in our fleet. That’s why we commissioned “Giddy Up” in 2007. Custom built in Louisiana to our specifications, “Giddy Up” carries up to 88 passengers with enclosed bench seating. While ideal for our commuter service, “Giddy Up” also serves visitors during our crowded summer season. It gives us additional flexibility to assure that all our passengers will enjoy a convenient and pleasant trip. We have the option of transporting our commuters on some of our larger tour vessels, too, ensuring we can accommodate all levels of traffic.
Shoreline Water Taxis run spring through fall, staring with commuter service in mid-March running through mid-October. Daily service on our traditional visitor routes begins in late May and runs daily through Labor Day with weekend service in September. We offer a variety of taxi products including a 10-trip pass for commuters.