Flying from Reykjavik to Chicago: what you need to know
Planning your holiday starts with working out where you'll leave from in Reykjavik. Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Reykjavik to Chicago jetting off from here.
Arrive in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The average time for a direct Reykjavik to Chicago flight is 6 hours 50 minutes.
Chicago is five hours behind Reykjavik and is in the UTC-5 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Reykjavik to Chicago is from Keflavik International Airport (KEF) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Take your pick of 12 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from KEF to ORD is the 12:00 United Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 19:35 with Icelandair.
To ensure you catch your Reykjavik to Chicago flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Travelling during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Reykjavik to Chicago
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Reykjavik to Chicago is $403. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $858. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Get cheap Reykjavik to Chicago flights by booking five months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
August is the best month for picking up an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Reykjavik to Chicago. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Reykjavik to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Reykjavik to Chicago flights.
Flying from Reykjavik
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
You can get a direct flight from Reykjavik to Chicago jetting off from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Begin your trip at KEF and land at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Check out the promotions with Icelandair. This carrier offers direct Reykjavik to Chicago plane tickets out of KEF.
We make it a breeze to find a Reykjavik to Chicago flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Keflavik International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Reykjavik, KEF can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel close to Keflavik International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Reykjavik to Chicago, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Keflavik International Airport, data shows 66.96% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes around 35 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel close to ORD if you're coming in on a late flight from Reykjavik to Chicago. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an 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.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead of your departure.
ORD is situated at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
After your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Chicago is roughly 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The journey will take approximately 45 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago, kick back at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and get going in the blink of an eye.
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
You'll find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is about 129 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. It takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to reach the city centre by cab or ride-share after your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago.
Public transport can get you there in roughly 4 hours 15 minutes.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next part of your trip by picking up a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are dependable companies for booking.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago is always smart. As well as better deals, you'll have a wider selection of vehicle makes and models at RFD.
Chicago Rockford International Airport's street address is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago. August is the busiest month for a trip to Chicago. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in January.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your Reykjavik to Chicago ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Reykjavik to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
Once you've booked your flight from Reykjavik to Chicago, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are just two of the major attractions to put on your Chicago travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Explore more of United States
Chicago is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be discovered. About 451 kilometres south-east of Chicago, a trip to Columbus will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No journey is complete without seeing The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
