Travelling from New York to Chicago: what you need to know
Begin your travels at one of New York's main airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Explore your options for booking a flight from New York to Chicago taking off from either of these.
The major entry paths to Chicago are O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The average duration of a direct New York to Chicago flight is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Chicago is one hour behind New York and observes the UTC-5 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from New York to Chicago is from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). You can select from 53 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to take off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from JFK to ORD is the 05:59 American Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 21:30 with JetBlue Airways.
To ensure you get on your New York to Chicago flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Travelling during a peak month like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Chicago
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from New York to Chicago is 21 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 42 €. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Book two months before you travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap New York to Chicago flights.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from New York to Chicago. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from New York to Chicago.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your New York to Chicago flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
If you're searching for a direct flight from New York to Chicago, you can depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Get from JFK to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) without making any stops.
Pick from a variety of airlines that offer direct New York to Chicago plane tickets out of JFK. Let one of these carriers take you there:
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of New York, JFK can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near John F. Kennedy International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from New York to Chicago or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
When it comes to John F. Kennedy International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 74.1% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
JFK is located at JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Consider booking your direct flight from New York to Chicago departing Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Nonstop services from EWR will take you to O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Book your direct New York to Chicago plane ticket with one of these popular carriers that operate this route from EWR:
You can reach EWR from central New York in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from New York to Chicago? Relax in a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport before your break officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
73% of flights leaving Newark Liberty International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find EWR at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
You can jet off on a direct flight from New York to Chicago leaving from LaGuardia Airport (LGA). LGA has nonstop services to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Take your pick of these leading airlines offering direct New York to Chicago plane tickets from LGA:
LGA is roughly 13 kilometres from central New York. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 25 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, you can expect a journey of around 1 hour.
Take the uncertainty out of departure day — stay near LaGuardia Airport and know you'll make it to your gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you have an early New York to Chicago flight:
LGA has a top-tier on-time arrivals performance of 80.0%, so you can count on your flight to stay on track and touch down as expected.
LaGuardia Airport is located at Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 35 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from New York to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Travel at your own pace with an O'Hare International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and chase adventure across Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks before your trip.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
After your flight from New York to Chicago has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Chicago is roughly 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Travelling by public transport will take approximately 45 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from New York to Chicago:
Dollar, Hertz and Budget make collecting a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car simple. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW can land you a better rate.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is about 129 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take you about 1 hour 25 minutes to get to the city centre in a car once you've stepped off your flight from New York to Chicago.
If you travel by public transport, the journey takes about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next part of your trip by picking up a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are reliable rental providers.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from New York to Chicago is always smart. Along with better deals, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at RFD.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the most popular month for flights from New York to Chicago. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Chicago in January.
Lock in a New York to Chicago ticket departing in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap flights from New York to Chicago in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from New York to Chicago, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are a couple of big attractions to put on your Chicago must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Chicago. Around 451 kilometres to the south-east, top sights here include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago, Indianapolis is another essential stop in United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
