Chinatown Water Taxi Stop logo

Chinatown Water Taxi Stop

Ferry service · Chicago, IL · reviewed since 2016

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%71+45.1Reliability 28%90+25.4Replies to reviews 8%6+0.5Experts Score= 71Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.71SCORE
BGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#10 of 14 taxi servicesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 31%
4.6 ★★★★★ 431 Google reviews · 22 photos
74%five-star reviews
4.73★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
0%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Chinatown Water Taxi Stop at a glance

Google reviewers rate the Chinatown Water Taxi Stop 4.6 out of 5 based on 431 reviews, with the business owner not responding to any customer feedback. Patrons frequently cite the scenic river views, affordable pricing, and friendly staff as primary benefits of the service. However, recurring criticisms include inconsistent arrival times, a confusing online scheduling interface, and limited weekend coverage, which some users feel hinders the utility of the water taxi as a reliable transit option.

  • Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 431 reviews (74% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 430 Google reviews (199 with written comments, 55 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 22, 2026.
  • Service: Taxi Service serving Chicago, Illinois.

Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.

Score profile vs other taxi services

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and reliability; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction71Reliability90Craft & service–Value–Momentum100Replies to reviews6Satisfaction: 71 (median 84)Reliability: 90 (median 85)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 6 (median 18)
Chinatown Water Taxi StopTaxi Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Chinatown Water Taxi Stop: 71/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.B
71
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Chinatown Water Taxi Stop: 90/100 on this factor. Category median: 85.A
90
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 92.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Chinatown Water Taxi Stop: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Chinatown Water Taxi Stop: 6/100 on this factor. Category median: 18.F
6

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

430 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars31774%
  • 4 stars7818%
  • 3 stars215%
  • 2 stars61%
  • 1 star82%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 199 written reviews

  • Praise6996%
  • Complaints34%

Price

What reviewers said about value for money

  • Worth the money5100%
  • Overpriced00%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude3853%
  • Price & value1217%
  • Speed & response1115%
  • Quality & results57%
  • Would recommend57%
  • Honesty & trust11%

What customers talk about

We read 199 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “Go see Richard, is very kind and will take great care of you.”
  • “Very cool and very affordable way to see and travel the city”
  • “Fun experience for the kids and a quick and punctual ride.”
  • “I like the water taxi it's definitely a great experience the stop at China town is really cute.”
  • “…the different skyscrapers in Chicago I loved seeing everything would definitely recommend it I will definitely do it again…”
  • “Probably the best deal in Chicago to be honest with you.”

People customers mention

  • Park 5 reviews
  • Ave 4 reviews
  • River 3 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

What reviewers say about Chinatown Water Taxi Stop

From 24 detailed written reviews; every point below is quoted in at least one review.

  • Mentioned most: Would recommend (6 praise); Friendly & courteous (3 praise); Punctuality (1 praise, 1 complaint); Booking & wait (0 praise, 2 complaints); Professionalism (2 praise).
  • Value for money: 5 said worth it.
  • Jobs reviewed: water taxi (6), water taxi tour (2).
👍 “Excellent views of different shapes of buildings”
👍 “Would definitely recommend it”
👍 “It was a fun way to get around”
👎 “Its inconsistent on their arrival times”
👎 “Website is also very confusing”

Recent reviews

PerumalLocal Guide · 317 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★

Water taxi service between two points. Night journey is very beautiful with lightings of buildings on both sides of the river.Excellent views of different shapes of buildings.

NicoleLocal Guide · 8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

It was a fun way to get around and learn about the different skyscrapers in Chicago I loved seeing everything would definitely recommend it I will definitely do it again

AnthonyLocal Guide · 348 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Great way to see the city down here all the time and I always forget how great the view is from the river

JulieLocal Guide · 18 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

Took the water taxi today from Chinatown to Michigan Ave. Gorgeous day and very relaxing. Go see Richard, is very kind and will take great care of you. Great way to travel thru the city.

HAILocal Guide · 25 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

- 공홈에서 미리 예약하고 티켓은 배 앉아있으면 검수하러 옴 -예전에는 all day pass 있었으나 현재는 one way만 파는듯 - 다른 유람선의 가이드 없는버전이고, 1/3가격임 - 차이나타운 투어하는 코스+저녁 야경감상 시간 타는걸 추천 don't forget to book in advance on the official website! You don't have to worry about your ticket because they come around to check it once you're seated on the boat. They used…

DonaldLocal Guide · 238 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

Finally took my kiddos on the water taxi after six years of waiting. We had a great time, weather was prefect for me. Just next time poncho would be best to have on. 08-09-2026.

Customer photo from Donald's reviewCustomer photo from Donald's reviewCustomer photo from Donald's reviewCustomer photo from Donald's review

Photos

Customer reviews

4.6 ★★★★★ 431 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Ruby Estela Escobar OssaLocal Guide · 419 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ruby has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Muy bonito para compartir con la familia

Tami Oglesby10 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Tami has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great experience

Perumal KVLocal Guide · 317 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Perumal has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Water taxi service between two points. Night journey is very beautiful with lightings of buildings on both sides of the river.Excellent views of different shapes of buildings.

Nicole FergusonLocal Guide · 8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Nicole has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

It was a fun way to get around and learn about the different skyscrapers in Chicago I loved seeing everything would definitely recommend it I will definitely do it again

Anthony BruscatoLocal Guide · 348 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Anthony has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great way to see the city down here all the time and I always forget how great the view is from the river

Maram FakhouriLocal Guide · 16 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Maram has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Lots of garbage left in the area didn't get to explore to much!

Vincent KiokoLocal Guide · 30 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Vincent has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Awesome😊

shevLocal Guide · 16 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews shev has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great experience. Must visit when you come to Chicago!

Steve ShircliffLocal Guide · 12 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Steve has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Nice ride from downtown

Julie HighLocal Guide · 18 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Julie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Took the water taxi today from Chinatown to Michigan Ave. Gorgeous day and very relaxing. Go see Richard, is very kind and will take great care of you. Great way to travel thru the city.

Chinatown Water Taxi Stop on Google Maps →

Business details