Flying from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago: what you need to know
Fort Lauderdale's main airport is Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). Explore your options for flying out of this base when booking your flights from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) are the major entry points to Chicago.
The average time for a direct Fort Lauderdale to Chicago flight is 3 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-6, which is one hour behind Fort Lauderdale.
The busiest route for flights from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago is Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Pick from 56 services between these two airports each week.
To ensure you make your Fort Lauderdale to Chicago flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like April, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago
At the moment, 33 € is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. The cheapest price for a return flight is 67 €. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book one month before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Fort Lauderdale to Chicago flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Fort Lauderdale to Chicago flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
You can book a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago departing from Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). Hop on your plane at FLL and then land at one of these Chicago airports:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
These are some of the major carriers offering direct Fort Lauderdale to Chicago plane tickets with departures from FLL:
Located around 5 kilometres from central Fort Lauderdale, FLL can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Fort Lauderdale International Airport:
Of all flights leaving Fort Lauderdale International Airport, 75% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
You'll find FLL at 320 Terminal Drive.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you around 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near ORD if you're coming in on a late flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks in advance of your trip.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is about 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 25 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago:
Dollar, Hertz and Budget make collecting a Chicago Midway Airport rental car quick and easy. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
You'll find Chicago Midway Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Step off your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago and go straight to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will get you there in around 2 hours.
Be in the driver's seat of the next chapter of your journey by picking up a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National make getting on the road smooth sailing.
Booking at least a few weeks in advance of your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago is always a good idea. As well as better prices, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at RFD.
Chicago Rockford Airport can be found at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. July is the most popular month to travel to Chicago. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in March.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Lock in your Fort Lauderdale to Chicago ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Search for cheap flights from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Chicago must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Chicago, now it's time to discover other corners of the United States. Travel around 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to check off its top attractions. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Indianapolis is another standout destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. No journey is complete without dropping by Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.