Flying from Chicago to Tampa: what you need to know
Begin your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Tampa taking off from either of these.
The chief entry points to Tampa are Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
Around 2 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Chicago to Tampa flight.
Tampa is one hour ahead of Chicago and observes the UTC-4 timezone.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 54 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Chicago to Tampa is with Spirit Airlines at 20:10. Opt for the first ORD to TPA departure operated by Frontier Airlines at 05:01 to maximise your time in Tampa.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Chicago to Tampa flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect longer queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Tampa
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Tampa is Rs7,855. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs16,258. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Lock in cheap Chicago to Tampa flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on plane tickets from Chicago to Tampa. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Tampa by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Chicago to Tampa flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're after a direct flight from Chicago to Tampa, you can depart from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Get from ORD to Tampa International Airport (TPA) without making any stops.
You can choose from a range of carriers offering direct Chicago to Tampa plane tickets with departures from ORD, including:
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
After a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Tampa or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of the departures from O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% land on time at their destination.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Consider booking your direct flight from Chicago to Tampa out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Nonstop connections from MDW will get you to Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Book your direct Chicago to Tampa plane ticket with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the top carriers operating this route out of MDW.
On 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 spend another night away? Consider kicking back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Tampa:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 78%. This figure shows how frequently flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on time.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is approximately 8 kilometres from central Tampa. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 15 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes about 55 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Tampa. Stay at one of these accommodation options near TPA instead:
Pick up a Tampa International Airport rental car and explore Tampa and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Budget and Thrifty are popular outlets you can book with here.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Tampa International Airport about one week before your departure date.
TPA is situated at 5507 West Spruce Street.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is about 24 kilometres from the centre of Tampa. Once you've hopped off your flight from Chicago to Tampa, it takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 2 hours 10 minutes or so.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Budget, Alamo or Avis and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from PIE in advance so you can just get the keys and go.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport can be found at Suite 221 - Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Tampa
May is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Tampa, while July is the most popular. Find the best time to visit Tampa based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book a Chicago to Tampa ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Tampa to range from 24ºC to 33ºC.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Chicago to Tampa in January when temperatures average between 9ºC and 23ºC.
More about Tampa
Start your Tampa trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Chicago to Tampa, check out our selection of hotels including:
Ybor City Tattoo Company and Tampa Riverwalk are a couple of popular attractions to add to your Tampa travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at The Florida Aquarium.
Explore more of United States
You've visited Tampa, now it's time to explore other parts of United States. Travel around 274 kilometres north to Jacksonville to tick off its leading sights. From Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Friendship Fountain, your itinerary will be busy.
Around 338 kilometres south-east of Tampa, Miami is another favourite stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and American Airlines Arena.