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Cheap Flights from Columbus (CMHA) to Chicago (CHIA)

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      Compare Columbus to Chicago flight deals

      Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Chicago

      Book the best Chicago fare with no extra fees

      Flight deals from Columbus to Chicago

      Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Columbus to Chicago? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $215. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
      Chicago.$200 per passenger.Departing Tue, 27 Oct, returning Tue, 17 Nov.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Tue, 27 Oct, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago Midway on Tue, 17 Nov, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $200, select.
      Chicago.$215 per passenger.Departing Thu, 12 Nov, returning Thu, 19 Nov.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 12 Nov, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago Midway on Thu, 19 Nov, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $215, select.
      Chicago.$253 per passenger.Departing Fri, 23 Oct, returning Tue, 27 Oct.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Fri, 23 Oct, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, 27 Oct, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $253, select.
      Chicago.$284 per passenger.Departing Tue, 12 Jan, returning Tue, 26 Jan.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Tue, 12 Jan, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, 26 Jan, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $284, select.
      Chicago.$314 per passenger.Departing Thu, 10 Dec, returning Mon, 14 Dec.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 10 Dec, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, 14 Dec, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $314, select.
      Chicago.$315 per passenger.Departing Thu, 3 Dec, returning Mon, 11 Jan.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 3 Dec, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, 11 Jan, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $315, select.
      Chicago.$376 per passenger.Departing Wed, 18 Nov, returning Sun, 6 Dec.Return flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Wed, 18 Nov, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Sun, 6 Dec, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $376, select.
      Chicago.$390 per passenger.Departing Tue, 5 Jan, returning Thu, 7 Jan.Return flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Tue, 5 Jan, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Thu, 7 Jan, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $390, select.
      Chicago.$390 per passenger.Departing Mon, 14 Dec, returning Thu, 17 Dec.Return flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 14 Dec, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Thu, 17 Dec, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $390, select.
      Chicago.$394 per passenger.Departing Thu, 3 Dec, returning Mon, 11 Jan.Return flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 3 Dec, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound direct flight with United departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, 11 Jan, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $394, select.
      Chicago.$394 per passenger.Departing Mon, 19 Oct, returning Tue, 20 Oct.Return flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 19 Oct, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Tue, 20 Oct, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $394, select.
      Chicago.$421 per passenger.Departing Sat, 6 Feb, returning Sat, 20 Feb.Return flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Port Columbus on Sat, 6 Feb, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound direct flight with United departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Sat, 20 Feb, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $421, select.
      Chicago.$421 per passenger.Departing Sat, 31 Oct, returning Mon, 2 Nov.Return flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Sat, 31 Oct, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Mon, 2 Nov, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $421, select.
      Chicago.$422 per passenger.Departing Tue, 10 Nov, returning Tue, 10 Nov.Return flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Tue, 10 Nov, arriving in Chicago Midway.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Tue, 10 Nov, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $422, select.
      Chicago.$423 per passenger.Departing Mon, 18 Jan, returning Mon, 1 Feb.Return flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 18 Jan, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound direct flight with United departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, 1 Feb, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $423, select.
      Chicago.$423 per passenger.Departing Mon, 23 Nov, returning Mon, 7 Dec.Return flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 23 Nov, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Inbound direct flight with United departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, 7 Dec, arriving in Port Columbus.Price includes taxes and charges.From $423, select.
      How did we find these deals? The deals you see here are the lowest prices for flight tickets from Columbus to Chicago found in the last 4 days, and are subject to change and availability.

      Find the cheapest month to fly from Columbus to Chicago

      We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Columbus to Chicago flights are currently cheapest in November.
      Oct
      from $253
      Nov
      from $215
      Dec
      from $314
      Jan
      from $284
      Feb
      from $421
      Mar
      from $522
      Apr
      Find prices
      May
      from $549
      Jun
      from $549
      Jul
      Find prices
      Aug
      from $526
      Sep
      Find prices

      Direct flights from Columbus to Chicago

      Aer Lingus
      Air New Zealand
      Alaska Airlines
      American Airlines
      ANA (All Nippon Airways)
      British Airways
      Cathay Pacific
      Copa
      Emirates
      Envoy Air
      Finnair
      GoJet Airlines
      Iberia
      Japan Airlines
      Lufthansa
      PSA Airlines
      Qatar Airways
      Republic Airways
      Royal Jordanian
      SkyWest Airlines
      Southwest Airlines
      SWISS
      Turkish Airlines
      United

      Alternative Columbus to Chicago routes

      Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Columbus to Chicago? You could fly into the following airports instead.

      Chicago Midway

      14km from central Chicago
      ClosestCheapest
      from $200
      Search flights

      Chicago O'Hare International

      25km from central Chicago
      from $246
      Search flights

      Chicago Rockford

      127km from central Chicago
      from $494
      Search flights

      Columbus to Chicago: Flight information

      The things to know before you go.
      Cheapest flight found$200
      Cheapest month to flyOctober
      Average flight time1 hr, 22 mins
      Most popular airlineAmerican Airlines
      Average flights per week3,140

      Finding cheap flights from Columbus to Chicago: Frequently asked questions

      There are 3 airports in Chicago: Chicago Midway, Chicago O'Hare International and Chicago Rockford.
      The best price we found for a return flight from Columbus to Chicago is $200. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
      1 hour and 22 minutes is the average flight time from Columbus to Chicago.
      American Airlines, United and Alaska Airlines fly direct from Columbus to Chicago.
      As of October 2026, there are 3,140 flights per week flying from Columbus to Chicago.
      The cheapest month to fly from Columbus to Chicago is usually October.
      If you're flying from Columbus, the cheapest airport near Chicago is Chicago Midway – which is 14.5 km away from the centre of Chicago. We've found flights into this airport from $200.
      After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Columbus to Chicago on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
      Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 22 minutes.
      We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Chicago but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

      We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Chicago is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

      In October, the average temperature is usually around 14°C. July is typically the warmest month in Chicago, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -5°C. The rainiest month is June.
      The cheapest airline that flies to Chicago is Frontier Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to Chicago O'Hare International Airport is Southwest Airlines.

      Flying from Columbus to Chicago: what you need to know

      • Start planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Columbus to Chicago. Explore your options for taking off from Port Columbus Airport (CMH) or Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK), two of the city's main airports.

      • The major arrival points in Chicago are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).

      • Hop on a direct Columbus to Chicago flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 25 minutes.

      • The timezone in Chicago is UTC-6, which is one hour behind Columbus.

      • With 108 weekly flights between the two airports, Port Columbus Airport (CMH) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Columbus to Chicago with American Airlines at 05:24. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest departure from CMH to ORD is with American Airlines at 20:49.

      • For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Columbus to Chicago flight.

      • During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.

      How to find the cheapest flights from Columbus to Chicago

      • Currently, $107 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Columbus to Chicago. The cheapest price for a return flight is $200. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.

      • Book two months before you travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Columbus to Chicago flights.

      • The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Columbus to Chicago is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.

      • Save time searching for cheap flights from Columbus to Chicago by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.

      • Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Columbus to Chicago flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

      Flying from Columbus

      Port Columbus Airport (CMH)

      • You can book a direct flight from Columbus to Chicago jetting out of Port Columbus Airport (CMH). Begin your trip at CMH and then fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).

      • Well-known carriers that offer direct Columbus to Chicago plane tickets from CMH include:

      • CMH is about 10 kilometres from central Columbus. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 40 minutes.

      • Catching an early flight from Columbus to Chicago? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Port Columbus Airport:

      • When it comes to Port Columbus Airport's on-time performance, 77% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.

      • You'll find CMH at 4600 International Gateway.

      Arriving in Chicago

      Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

      • The distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 26 kilometres. It'll take you about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.

      • Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.

      • If you have a late flight from Columbus to Chicago, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near ORD:

      • Travel at your own pace with a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and discover more of Chicago and beyond.

      • Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks in advance of your trip.

      • You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.

      Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

      • Central Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Columbus to Chicago has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 25 minutes.

      • You can expect the trip to take about 30 minutes on public transport.

      • After your flight from Columbus to Chicago, settle in at a hotel close to MDW. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:

      • Dollar, Hertz and Budget make collecting a Chicago Midway Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.

      • Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at MDW can land you a better rate.

      • Chicago Midway Airport is located at 5700 South Cicero.

      Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)

      • Step off your flight from Columbus to Chicago and go directly to your hotel or start exploring right away. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to reach driving.

      • If you use public transport, expect a journey of about 2 hours.

      • Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next leg of your trip by picking up a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are dependable companies for booking.

      • If you'd like a particular type of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at getting what you want. Book your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Columbus to Chicago.

      • Chicago Rockford Airport's official address is 2 Airport Cir.

      Best time to go to Chicago

      • July is the busiest month for flights from Columbus to Chicago. To skip the crowds, go to Chicago in March.

      • The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Columbus to Chicago ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.

      • If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Columbus to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).

      More about Chicago

      Explore more of the United States

      • You've done Chicago, now it's time to explore more of the United States. Travel around 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to tick off its top sights. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.

      • Around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago, Indianapolis is another favourite stop in the United States. Start your sightseeing at Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

      Plan smart, explore more

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      Plan the rest of your trip from Columbus to Chicago

      Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.