Don’t want to pay for a pricey Chicago River cruise? Book this $10 ride instead.

One of the best ways to see the city is by cruising down the Chicago River. There are plenty of options for a proper sightseeing tour, like the Chicago Architecture Center’s First Lady Cruises and Shoreline Sightseeing’s rides, all of which offer rich insights into the architectural history of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Those cruises are essential experiences—beloved by both tourists and locals—but they can be pricey. So next time you’re in the mood to get out on the water but don't want to shell out more than $10, consider one of the most overlooked forms of transportation: a water taxi.

Water taxis, by design, are intended to provide a traffic-free alternative to other modes of transportation. Are they practical? Not always. Are they more efficient than other forms of public transit? Usually not. Are they a great deal, though? Indeed. 

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For just $10, you take the same ride you'd take on one of the more expensive river cruises for a fraction of the price. There’s no narration on the water taxi, but it makes for a peaceful journey with the same views through the city’s most iconic waterway. 

Chicago Water Taxi’s route runs from March through the end of December, between Michigan Avenue (at Rush Street) and Chinatown (at Ping Tom Park) with a stop at Ogilvie and Union Stations. These bright-yellow, double-deck boats offer indoor and outdoor seating, plus bike racks, luggage storage, restrooms and drinks for purchase. A full one-way ride takes about 45 minutes. You can buy tickets online or in person at the dock. 

Shoreline Sightseeing also operates water taxi rides on both the river and the lake. Docks at Union Station, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier and Museum Campus offer multiple connections between major attractions from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The only catch is that you can only purchase tickets in person. Prices vary by route, ranging from $10 to $21 for adults.

Both companies run water taxi rides every 25 to 30 minutes most days during their operating seasons. If you're planning on taking multiple rides, a day pass, with the option to hop on and off at different docks, may be the best option.

The full-blown narrated architecture tours are well worth every penny. But if you are just looking to soak up the sun and revel in skyline views from the Chicago River on the cheap, ride a water taxi—it’s one of the best deals you’ll find in Chicago.