Travelling from Johannesburg to Chicago: what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore the departure options from here when planning your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago.
Hop off your plane in Chicago at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
Chicago's timezone is UTC-6, making Chicago eight hours behind Johannesburg.
Leave enough time to catch your Johannesburg to Chicago flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time like April? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Chicago
To pick up cheap Johannesburg to Chicago flights, book in advance. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Johannesburg to Chicago is easy if you're flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' function to see the best prices across each month and score a sweet deal.
Finding a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Chicago is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Find a cheap Johannesburg to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for Johannesburg to Chicago flights departing from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
New York Newark Airport (EWR)
JNB is around 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel near Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, data shows 75% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
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 will take around 30 minutes.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there on public transport.
Reserve a hotel close to ORD if you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Chicago. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond Chicago's main sights.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks before your travel date.
ORD is situated at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is roughly 14 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. Following your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, it takes approximately 25 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
You can expect the journey to take about 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago, tuck yourself in at a hotel near MDW. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Dollar, Hertz and Budget make picking up a Chicago Midway Airport rental car simple. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW can get you a lower rate.
The address for Chicago Midway Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago and go straight to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. The centre of Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to reach driving.
Public transport can get you there in about 2 hours.
Be in control of the next part of your trip with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are dependable companies for booking.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago is a smart way to go. As well as better prices, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at RFD.
Chicago Rockford Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago. July is the busiest month to travel to Chicago. If you like 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 Johannesburg to Chicago ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Chicago right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Johannesburg to Chicago:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower are top sights which should feature on any well-planned Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Chicago, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Journey around 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to check off its leading attractions. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Indianapolis is another essential stop in the United States and is around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. No trip is complete without visiting Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.