Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Chicago: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 5 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago.
Chicago is one hour behind Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located. Chicago follows the UTC-6 timezone.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route, with 64 weekly departures to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from RDU to ORD is with American Airlines at 19:46. Choose the first departure with American Airlines at 05:55 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your RDU to Chicago flight.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
Direct Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago tickets are available for booking. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is where you'll arrive.
You'll find a good selection of carriers operating direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago, including:
RDU is around 16 kilometres from central Durham. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near RDU. Whether you've booked an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are worth a look:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 78% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Chicago
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago flight is 47 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 89 €. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from RDU to Chicago, book early. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
Scoring cheap tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago is easier if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to get the best prices throughout the month and walk away with an epic deal.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from RDU to Chicago.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is around 27 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 30 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes about 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from RDU to Chicago.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is located around 16 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). After your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 25 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 30 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near MDW. Unwind and get cosy after your RDU to Chicago flight at one of these well-located options:
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW will help you save.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Make tracks for the city centre after your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago has landed. Central Chicago is about 145 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport can get you there in about 2 hours.
Enjoy a quiet, low-key start to your trip by staying at a hotel near RFD after your RDU to Chicago flight. Rest up after a long day of travel or just take a moment to find your footing in a new place at:
Booking a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago is a smart way to go. Along with better prices, you'll likely have a better variety of makes and models to choose from at RFD.
The street address for Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago. July is the most popular month for a trip to Chicago. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in January.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago plane ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from RDU to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
Once you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Chicago travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Chicago, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Travel around 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to tick off its leading attractions. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Whetstone Park / 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 seeing Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.