Flying from Frankfurt to Chicago: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll board your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) and Hahn Airport (HHN) are the main airports in Frankfurt.
When landing in Chicago, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) are the primary gateways.
Book a direct Frankfurt to Chicago flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 9 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-6, which is seven hours behind Frankfurt.
With 27 flights a week between the two airports, Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Frankfurt to Chicago with United Airlines at 08:40. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the latest departure from FRA to ORD is with Lufthansa at 17:25.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Frankfurt to Chicago flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like September. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Chicago
To find cheap Frankfurt to Chicago flights, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Frankfurt to Chicago is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to see the lowest fares across the month and walk away with an incredible deal.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Chicago by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Frankfurt to Chicago flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, you can depart from Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). Travel from FRA to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in one seamless journey.
Lufthansa is a leading airline that offers direct Frankfurt to Chicago plane tickets leaving from FRA.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Frankfurt am Main Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
FRA is around 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 20 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel close to Frankfurt am Main Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, these stays will put you nice and close to your departure gate:
Of all flights departing from Frankfurt am Main Airport, 74% land on time at their destination.
Hahn Airport (HHN)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Visit family or friends or cross another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these stops between Hahn Airport and Chicago:
Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Frankfurt to HHN in around 2 hours 10 minutes. The airport is roughly 105 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, unwind in one of these hotels near Hahn Airport:
Hahn Airport has a reputation for reliability and timeliness. 84% of flights out of here keep to their planned arrival schedule.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you around 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. Book one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond Chicago's usual tourist stops.
Booking your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks ahead can help you get the best possible rate.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 25 minutes.
The trip will take approximately 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, settle in at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Chicago Midway Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and be off and running.
Lock in the best price by reserving your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Chicago Midway Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Make your way to the city centre after your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago has landed. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to get to by car.
The journey takes about 2 hours when travelling by public transport.
Begin your trip without worrying about how to reach your destination with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. You can book with trusted companies here like Budget, Alamo and National.
Rental providers sometimes offer deals for early bookings, so reserve your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. A little prep work can make a big difference in cost.
Chicago Rockford Airport's official address is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. July is the busiest month to visit Chicago. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in March.
When booking your Frankfurt to Chicago tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC to 28ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Look for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Chicago around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, check out our selection of hotels including:
Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are just the start of the big attractions to put on your Chicago to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Chicago, now it's time to explore other corners 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 Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, your itinerary will be busy.
Indianapolis is another well-known destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. No journey is complete without a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.