Flying from Chicago to Belfast: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Chicago. Check out your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when organising your flight from Chicago to Belfast.
Step off your plane in Belfast at Belfast International Airport (BFS) or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD).
Belfast's timezone is UTC+0, making Belfast five hours ahead of Chicago.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Chicago to Belfast flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Hopping on a plane during a peak time like August? High seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year) can add an hour at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Belfast
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Chicago to Belfast flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Chicago to Belfast throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Locking in a cheap flight from Chicago to Belfast couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Chicago to Belfast flights.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing Chicago to Belfast flights leaving from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Travelling from central Chicago to ORD takes about 55 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a convenient hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Belfast, these accommodation options will have you moments from your check-in counter:
Of the flights that depart from O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% touch down on time at their destination.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
MDW is around 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take 20 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an additional night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Belfast:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance of 77.88%. This figure shows how often flights that leave from this airport make it to their destination on time.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Belfast International Airport (BFS) to central Belfast takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 2 hours.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Belfast, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near BFS:
Hit the road running by picking up a Belfast International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Budget, Drivalia or Dollar and explore beyond Belfast's main sights.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Belfast International Airport about three weeks before your travel date.
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is about 5 kilometres from the centre of Belfast. Following your flight from Chicago to Belfast, it takes approximately 10 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 20 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to Belfast, kick back at a hotel close to BHD. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or cab lines. Pick up a George Best Belfast City Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Budget, Sixt and Alamo.
Get first dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from BHD two weeks in advance often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Belfast
August is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Belfast. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Belfast in January.
When booking your Chicago to Belfast tickets, think about the kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Belfast, with temperatures ranging from 10ºC (50ºF) to 19ºC (66ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 1ºC (34ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Belfast around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Belfast
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Belfast right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Chicago to Belfast:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre and Botanic Gardens are highlights which should feature on every Belfast itinerary.
Explore more of United Kingdom
You've seen Belfast, now it's time to discover other corners of United Kingdom. Journey about 354 kilometres south-east to Birmingham to tick off its leading attractions. From Cadbury World to The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Bristol is another essential stop in United Kingdom and is around 418 kilometres south-east of Belfast. No journey is complete without experiencing Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park.
