Flying from Los Angeles to Chicago: what you need to know
Start your journey at one of Los Angeles's main airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Chicago taking off from either of these.
The primary hubs where you can touch down in Chicago are O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Book a direct Los Angeles to Chicago flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 5 minutes.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-5, which makes Chicago two hours ahead of Los Angeles.
Choose from 129 weekly services between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and {"defaultCase":"O'Hare International Airport","accusativeCase":"O'Hare International Airport","nominativeCase":"O'Hare International Airport","dativeCase":"O'Hare International Airport"} (ORD). LAX to ORD is the most popular route when booking flights from Los Angeles to Chicago.
To ensure you make your Los Angeles to Chicago flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Hopping on a plane during a peak time like July? Popular periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break) can easily add an hour at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Chicago
Lock in cheap Los Angeles to Chicago flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time for landing a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Los Angeles to Chicago flights.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can fly directly to Chicago leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Here are some airports you can reach without stops when searching for your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
These are some of the top carriers offering direct Los Angeles to Chicago plane tickets out of LAX:
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 55 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Chicago? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near Los Angeles International Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport scores top marks for its on-time performance. 81.05% of flights that depart LAX arrive at their destination on time.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 26 kilometres. It takes about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel close to ORD if you have a late flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Grab an O'Hare International Airport rental car and explore Chicago and beyond with your own wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are popular providers you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your ride from O'Hare International Airport about four weeks in advance of your Los Angeles to Chicago flight.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is located around 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). After your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 45 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the rates and availability from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from MDW four weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.
You'll find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Set off for the city centre after your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago has landed. Central Chicago is about 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will take you there in about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next chapter of your journey with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are reliable rental providers.
Rental providers sometimes offer deals for early bookings, so reserve your vehicle from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Chicago Rockford International Airport can be found at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago. August is the most popular month to travel to Chicago. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in January.
Book a Los Angeles to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC to 29ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Chicago in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 3ºC on average.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Chicago, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are popular attractions which should feature on any well-planned Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored after you've experienced Chicago. Around 451 kilometres to the south-east, check out popular attractions including Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
If there's time to check out another side of United States, head for Indianapolis, about 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo are the start of reasons to visit.
