Flying from Chicago to Frankfurt: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Chicago. Explore your options departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) when organising your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt.
Arrive in Frankfurt at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) or Hahn Airport (HHN).
The average duration of a direct Chicago to Frankfurt flight is 8 hours 25 minutes.
Frankfurt is seven hours ahead of Chicago and is in the UTC+1 timezone.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 27 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to Frankfurt is with Lufthansa at 23:35. Opt for the first ORD to FRA departure operated by United Airlines at 14:55 to make the most of your arrival in Frankfurt.
Leave enough time to get on your Chicago to Frankfurt flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Frankfurt
Book four months before you travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Chicago to Frankfurt flights.
September is the best month for scoring an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Frankfurt. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Frankfurt.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Or sort your Chicago to Frankfurt flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Set out from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. From ORD, you can travel directly to Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA).
Keep an eye out for promotions with Lufthansa. This airline offers direct Chicago to Frankfurt plane tickets from ORD.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Chicago to Frankfurt flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Frankfurt? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 70% arrive on time at their destination.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Chicago to Frankfurt flight. Visit family or friends or cross another city off your list. Whatever your plans, check out these stops between Chicago Midway Airport and Frankfurt:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Detroit Wayne County Airport (DTW)
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take 25 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Chicago Midway Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
Chicago Midway Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76%. This figure provides insight into how often flights that take off from this airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) is approximately 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 25 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 20 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. Reserve one of these accommodation options near FRA instead:
Pick up a Frankfurt am Main Airport rental car and explore Frankfurt and beyond with your own wheels. Wheego, Alamo and OK Mobility are top outlets you can book with here.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Frankfurt am Main Airport around three weeks in advance of your trip.
Hahn Airport (HHN)
As soon as your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in about 1 hour 25 minutes by car. Central Frankfurt is roughly 105 kilometres from Hahn Airport (HHN).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 2 hours 10 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places ready to welcome you near HHN. Unwind after your Chicago to Frankfurt flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Flex To Go, Alamo and Keddy By Europcar make picking up a Hahn Airport rental car quick and easy. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Score the best price by reserving your ride from HHN four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Frankfurt
September is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Frankfurt. To steer clear of the crowds, go to Frankfurt in March.
When booking your Chicago to Frankfurt tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Frankfurt, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Frankfurt in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -4ºC (25ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF) on average.
More about Frankfurt
After booking your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Frankfurt:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Educational institution Anne Frank, Main Tower and Staedel Museum are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Frankfurt itinerary.
Explore more of Germany
Frankfurt has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Germany waiting to be discovered. Around 418 kilometres northeast of Frankfurt, a trip to Berlin will keep your itinerary busy. Check out popular attractions like Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building and Berlin Philharmonic.
Hamburg is another sought-after destination in Germany and is around 386 kilometres north of Frankfurt. No journey is complete without a visit to Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg.