Flying from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH): what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Chicago. Explore your options departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when organising your flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH).
Approximately 8 hours 47 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport.
Zurich is 6 hours ahead of Chicago. Zurich Airport is located in Zurich, which operates on the UTC+1 timezone.
The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Zurich Airport (ZRH), with 25 direct services every week. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ORD to ZRH is the 14:20 SWISS service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 20:05 with SWISS.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Chicago to ZRH.
With more people on the move during busy periods like August, get to the terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and as much as four for international journeys will allow for additional wait times. Remember things also get busy during major holidays like Christmas and local events or festivals.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH) depart from this terminal.
When leaving from ORD, you can take a direct flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport with SWISS.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing flights from Chicago to ZRH departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
ORD is about 40 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. To work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This essential travel app will show you the fastest route and available public transport options.
Have an early flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these hotels near O'Hare International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Prefer to leave from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)? You can reserve a direct flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH) out of this hub.
You can board a direct flight from Chicago to ZRH with SWISS. This is one of the main airlines that operates this route out of MDW.
On public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in about 46 minutes. The airport is roughly 19 kilometres away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 21 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Chicago to ZRH, kick back in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
About Zurich Airport (ZRH)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these options near ZRH:
Getting from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to central Zurich
Zurich Airport is approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of Zurich. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 19 minutes.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Lock in a one-way ticket from Chicago to Zurich Airport from $393 or travel return from just $620. Fares listed are subject to change and may differ when you make your booking.
Book 8 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find flight tickets from Chicago to ZRH.
You'll score the biggest savings on your tickets from Chicago to Zurich Airport if you travel in May. Go one step further and use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly out.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll let you know straight away if the price has dropped. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time looking for a cheap ticket from Chicago to ZRH every day.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
February is the quietest time to fly to Zurich. Alternatively, follow the crowds and take your trip in July. This is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport.
Think about the type of weather that'll suit your plans for Zurich. The warmest month is July. Lock in your flights from Chicago to ZRH sometime then and you can expect temperatures of between 10ºC and 27ºC.
Travel in January if you want to explore when it's cooler. Temperatures average between -6ºC and 7ºC. However, this destination delivers on a good time whenever you book your cheap flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport.
More about Zurich
Start your Zurich trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
One of the best ways to get a feel for Zurich is to visit its most popular attractions. Highlights include Bahnhofstrasse, Swiss National Museum and Grossmunster.
Complete your Zurich trip with a car rental
Shut down all those tabs and leave the hard work to us. We can also help you find deals on car rentals in Zurich once you've booked your cheap flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport. Easily compare prices in one place and drive away with the perfect rental for less.
