Flying from Chicago to Medellin: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Chicago. Check out your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when planning your flight from Chicago to Medellin.
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) is where your flight will arrive in Medellin.
Chicago and Medellin follow the same timezone, UTC-5.
Leave plenty of time to make your Chicago to Medellin flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Hopping on a plane during a peak month like August? Busy periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can easily add an hour at security. Be extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Medellin
To find cheap Chicago to Medellin flights, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Chicago to Medellin.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Chicago to Medellin by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Lock in a cheap Chicago to Medellin flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Chicago to Medellin flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 55 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Chicago to Medellin? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to O'Hare International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Break up your Chicago to Medellin flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick a new place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Chicago Midway International Airport and Medellin include:
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not book an additional night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Medellin:
77.88% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Medellin
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) is approximately 18 kilometres from central Medellin. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 35 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Medellin. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MDE instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Jose Maria Cordova International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Localiza, Green Motion or Confort Rent a Car and explore beyond Medellin's main sights.
Booking your ride from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport about one week ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH)
Central Medellin is approximately 3 kilometres from Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). As soon as your flight from Chicago to Medellin has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 15 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 30 minutes or so.
Grab an Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport rental car and set the course for your next destination. You can select from leading companies like Confort Rent a Car and Green Motion.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from EOH one week in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Medellin
August is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Medellin. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Medellin in April.
Before locking in your Chicago to Medellin tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Medellin, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 27ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Chicago to Medellin in July when temperatures average between 11ºC and 27ºC.
More about Medellin
Start your Medellin trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Medellin, browse our range of accommodation options including:
Parque Arvi and Comuna 13 are just the start of the top-rated attractions to put on your Medellin must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Botero Plaza.
Explore more of Colombia
Medellin is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Colombia waiting to be discovered. Around 241 kilometres south-east of Medellin, a visit to Bogota will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like Gold Museum, Usaquen Train Station and Urbanización Villas del Madrigal - Molino del Viento Park.
Cali is another favourite destination in Colombia and is around 322 kilometres south of Medellin. No journey is complete without seeing Cristo Rey, Gato de Tejada and Caliwood Museo de la Cinematografia.