Flying from Philadelphia to Chicago: what you need to know
Begin your trip planning by checking out the departure points for your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago. Explore your options for setting off from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), two of the city's main airports.
When it comes to arriving in Chicago, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major gateway. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is another.
Around 2 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Philadelphia to Chicago flight.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which is one hour behind Philadelphia.
With 86 weekly flights between the two airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Philadelphia to Chicago with American Airlines at 05:00. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from PHL to ORD is with Frontier Airlines at 22:42.
To ensure you catch your Philadelphia to Chicago flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Popular months like August or high seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean longer queues at security and check-in. Be on the safe side and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Chicago
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia to Chicago is 50 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 99 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To snag cheap Philadelphia to Chicago flights, book your journey two months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Finding a cheap flight from Philadelphia to Chicago is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Save money on your Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Take off from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and fly right through to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). If you're looking for a direct flight from Philadelphia to Chicago out of PHL, those are your landing points.
Choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct Philadelphia to Chicago plane tickets out of PHL. Get on board with any of these:
PHL is about 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel close to Philadelphia International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, these stays will put you nice and close to your departure gate:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Philadelphia International Airport, 78.93% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 26 kilometres. It'll take you about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 55 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Pick up an O'Hare International Airport rental car and explore Chicago and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are well-known companies to choose from here.
Reserving your vehicle from O'Hare International Airport about four weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
After your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Travelling by public transport will take around 45 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near MDW. Kick back after your Philadelphia to Chicago flight at one of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the rates and availability from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Snap up a deal by securing your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago and go directly to your hotel or start sightseeing right away. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and typically takes 1 hour 25 minutes to drive there.
The journey will take you roughly 4 hours 15 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Whether you're looking for an economy just for you or a spacious SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the right Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car for your needs. Explore wheels available here from providers such as Budget, Alamo and National.
Rental providers sometimes offer promotions on early bookings, so secure your ride from RFD ahead of your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago. A little prep work can make a big difference in cost.
Chicago Rockford International Airport's official address is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Philadelphia to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your Philadelphia to Chicago ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap flights from Philadelphia 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
Start your Chicago trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are must-visits when exploring Chicago.
Explore more of United States
Chicago will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be explored. About 451 kilometres south-east of Chicago, a trip to Columbus will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without experiencing The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
