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Cheap flights from
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Save hundreds on your next flight with deals on highly rated airlines.

Where can I fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)?

Over the last 2 years, we've sent Going members from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to 368 destinations. These are the cheapest flights we've found to each of those destinations.

Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) overview

Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members near Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) save approximately 37% compared to normal flight prices.

Cheapest Going deal

$78

Average price roundtrip

$460.94

Average Going deal price roundtrip

$289.26

Best month to fly

Going found the most deals with travel dates in October.

October

Worst month to fly

Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.

July

Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Book in the Goldilocks Window

To get the best deal on a domestic flight, we recommend booking 1-3 months before your trip. For an international trip, it’s 2-8 months in advance. We call this the Goldilocks Window. It’s the time that’s not too far in advance, but not too last minute, when great deals are most likely to pop up.

However, if you can't be flexible with your travel dates or are traveling in peak season, we suggest booking even further ahead. For example, if you’re looking to travel over the December holidays, start keeping an eye out in July.

Once you get to about a month out, prices are almost guaranteed to rise, especially at the 21-day, 14-day, and 7-day points, so try to book before those if possible.

Use the Greek Islands Trick

If the place you want to fly is pricy, look at fares that get you close to where you want to go. Let’s say you want to fly from Chicago to Santorini in June, but tickets are $1,200 roundtrip. Consider, instead, flying to London for $500 roundtrip. From there, a flight to Santorini could be under $200. We call this the Greek Islands Trick, but it works equally well for many other destinations.

Focus on finding the cheapest flight you can that gets you close to where you want to go, then buy a separate flight (or train or ferry ticket) that closes the gap. It requires a bit more effort and planning, but the savings can be huge.

Search nearby—and not so nearby—airports

If you live in Chicago, you’re probably already in the habit of looking for flights not just out of O’Hare, but out of Midway as well. But sometimes, it can make sense to check out flights from airports outside of your city. While typically O’Hare will have better deals than, say, Milwaukee, it’s always good to compare. Sometimes the airlines do wild things and drop prices out of unexpected cities. When looking at long-haul flights, it can sometimes even make sense to look at flights departing airports farther away from home.

If you live in Chicago, why on earth would you look at flights out of LA, Miami, or NYC? Well, sometimes other cities have spectacular deals that are worth the connecting flight. We’re talking about once-in-a-lifetime kind of deals. Like $63 from Atlanta to Chile roundtrip. Or $202 from Los Angeles to Japan. For that price, even if you add a $200 flight from Chicago to LA, you still come out ahead.

Fly when it’s cheaper

As with most of the world, summer is a peak season for travel. Kids are out of school. The weather is warm. People have more flexibility. So it's no surprise many vacationers like to travel during the summer. But with high demand comes even higher price tags. Shoulder season, the time in between the peak and low travel times, offers the best opportunity to save money. When you plan your next trip, look at the best times to travel. Then, plan your trip closer to the start or end of those peak season dates. Or go completely off the cuff and see what the world is like when it isn't full of tourists.

If you’re limited on when you can travel in terms of season, at least try to fly on cheaper days. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly. Friday and Sunday are usually the most expensive days.

Set alerts for specific trips

One of the easiest ways to stay on top of the constant changes in airfare is by setting up a fare alert. You'll then get an email when the price on any itinerary you're tracking drops to a specific range. And, if you set up these alerts several months before you plan to travel, you'll have a better chance of recognizing a good deal when you see it. If you're keeping your dates or locations flexible, however, you would need to set up multiple fare alerts.

Chicago O’Hare is a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines and a focus city for Frontier Airlines and Spirit, and it’s one of the busiest airports in the country. There are nonstop flights from ORD to more than 50 international destinations on more than 45 airlines, and Chicago is well connected to most of the US, so you can reach most major destinations around the world with one connection.

Frequently asked questions about flying from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

What is the airport code for Chicago O’Hare International Airport?

The airport code for Chicago O’Hare International Airport is ORD.

Does Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) have its own on-site hotel?

There is one on-site hotel at Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel is within walking distance of the domestic terminals via underground walkways, or it can be accessed from the international terminal via the Airport Transit System. The hotel has room service, a gym, and an indoor pool. Room rates start at around $220 per night.

What lounges are available at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)?

Terminal 1: In Terminal 1, there are three United Clubs and a United Polaris Lounge, which include a full-service bar, snacks, and WiFi. The Polaris Lounge also features a buffet, pre-flight dining options, quiet suites, and showers. The Polaris Lounge is available only to international first and business-class passengers only, but when space is available at the United Club, one-time passes can be purchased for $59 per person. Annual membership to the United Club is $650 or 85,000 miles.

Terminal 2: Terminal 2 is home to Delta’s Sky Club as well as another United Club. Sky Club access is available to annual SkyClub members; Delta passengers with a business or first class boarding pass; Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card members; Amex Platinum cardholders with a Delta boarding pass; or Air France business or first class passengers.

Terminal 3: American Airlines has three Admirals Club lounges in Terminal 3 as well as an American Flagship Lounge. All serve snacks and have a full-service bar and WiFi. Access is available to Admirals Club members; Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard cardholders flying AA; ConciergeKey members flying AA; AirPass members with Admirals Club privileges; or AA customers with a business or first-class boarding pass. Day passes are available for $59; annual memberships start at $550.

Terminal 5: The international terminal has two lounges: the SAS Lounge and Swissport Lounge, which host a number of international airline members, including Asiana Airlines, Air India, Alitalia, Royal Jordanian, Etihad Airways, LOT Polish Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Finnair, and Priority Pass customers flying these airlines. The lounge has a full bar, snacks, and WiFi.

Does Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) have facilities for those traveling with pets?

Service animals must be leashed at all times. Non-service animals must be in a kennel. There are several pet relief areas throughout the airport, both outside and inside security.

Pet relief areas:

  • Terminal 1 lower level Door 1A (outside security)
  • Terminal 2 lower level Door 2A (outside security)
  • Terminal 5 lower level Door 5B (outside security)
  • Rental Cars Lot F
  • Terminal 3 Rotunda between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 (inside security)
  • Terminal 3 Main Hall next to the Lotto booth, down the hall from Gate K1 (inside security)

How many terminals are there in Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)?

Chicago O’Hare has four terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 5.

Terminal 1: Domestic and international terminal with 55 gates split between concourses B and C. It’s used mostly by United, along with ANA and Lufthansa. Along with several restaurants and shops, it has three United Clubs and a United Polaris lounge. It is connected by a pedestrian tunnel to Terminals 2 and 3. There’s a range of food options, from fast food to Chili’s Too.

Terminal 2: Domestic terminal with 45 gates spread over concourses E and F. It’s used by Air Canada, Alaska, and JetBlue and has a USO Lounge and United Club. It is connected by a pedestrian tunnel to Terminals 1 and 3. Terminal 2 has several dining options, including a sports bar and there’s even a barbershop.

Terminal 3: Domestic terminal with 76 gates spread over concourses G, H, K, and L. It has three American Airlines Admirals Clubs, an American Airlines Flagship Lounge, and a USO Cyber Canteen. It is linked to Terminals 1 and 2 by the pedestrian tunnel. It is used mostly by American, as well as Spirit, JAL, and others. Terminal 3 is the largest of ORD’s terminals and has a smoothie and salad shop, a bakery, a Mexican restaurant (Tortas Frontera by local celeb chef Rick Bayless), an output of Chicago’s Goose Island brewery, a pub, a yoga room, and more.

Terminal 5: Terminal 5 is Chicago O’Hare’s international terminal, with 40 gates in concourse M. It has a British Airways Terraces Lounge, British Airways First Lounge, SAS Lounge, and Swissport Louge. Nearly two dozen food options include Burger King, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wow Boa, another Tortas Frontera outpost, and more.

Does ORD have CLEAR?

CLEAR is available at Terminal 1 at O’Hare. It’s open from 4am-8pm, including for enrollment.

Does ORD have TSA PreCheck?

TSA Precheck is available at ORD at checkpoints 2 and 3 in Terminal 1, checkpoint 5 in Terminal 2, and checkpoints 7A and 8 in Terminal 3.

Does ORD have Global Entry?

Global Entry is available for international arrivals at Chicago O’Hare in Terminal 5. Enrollment is available in Terminal 5 at the Global Entry desk between 8:15am and 3:30pm Monday-Friday.

How early should I arrive to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) before my flight?

Most airlines recommend you arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. But whether you really need to be there that early depends on a number of factors.

How big is the airport, and where is your gate? O’Hare is pretty large, and the walk from security to some of the farthest gates can take 15-20 minutes. If you’re arriving via the Blue Line, you’ll also need to add some extra time for walking from the train terminus to security; this takes about five minutes on average.

Are you checked in? Every airline has a check-in cutoff, typically 30-60 minutes before departing. If you can’t check in online, you’ll need to arrive at the airport before this cutoff time.

Are you checking luggage? Similarly, every airline has a cutoff time after which they will not accept checked luggage. Typically this is 45-60 minutes before the flight.

How busy is the airport? On an average day, the security wait at O’Hare is about 10-15 minutes. But if you’re traveling around a holiday, during summer, or on busier days like Friday and Sunday, it can be much, much longer. At these times, it’s better to err on the side of arriving early.

At the bare minimum, it’s wise to arrive at O’Hare at least one hour before your flight, but 1.5-2 hours is a safer bet on most days. During peak times, 3-4 hours in advance may be necessary.

How far is Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) from downtown Chicago?

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is 17-20 miles from downtown Chicago, depending on where in the city you’re departing from.

What are the different transportation options for going from the city center to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)?

There are several options for traveling from Chicago to ORD.

  • By taxi or ride share: Downtown Chicago is less than 20 miles from the airport, and you can get there by car in about 30 minutes with no traffic, though we suggest allowing at least 45 minutes at most times. Costs range from about $35-$50, depending on demand.

  • By public transportation: From downtown and much of Chicago’s west side, it’s a straight shot to the airport on the Blue Line, which runs 24 hours and takes about 45-50 minutes. Full-fare tickets are $2.50 per ride or $5 when departing from O’Hare. Metra's North Central Service train line connects downtown Chicago's Union Station to the airport in 35 minutes and costs $6.25.

Going helps you find flight deals from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and save big. Try Going Premium today.

Deal frequency

How often we find deals from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Very frequent

Number of deals

Total from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in the last month

409

Total Mistake Fares

Airline slip-ups we've caught from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

64

* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.

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