Flying from Chicago to Dubai: what you need to know
Start your vacation planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Chicago to Dubai. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the main airports in Chicago.
When it comes to planning your arrival in Dubai, Dubai Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are the major hubs.
13 hours 25 minutes is the time it takes on average for a direct flight from Chicago to Dubai. Operating on the UTC+4 timezone, Dubai is 9 hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Dubai Airport (DXB) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 10 weekly flights to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Chicago to Dubai is with Emirates at 20:45. Go for the first ORD to DXB departure operated by Emirates at 19:45 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to Dubai, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months like August, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
To visit United Arab Emirates for tourism purposes, you will require a visa if you hold a passport from United States. However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need other documents depending on the duration and purpose of your visit. Always check the most recent guidelines before booking your cheap flight from Chicago to Dubai.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Jet off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Dubai. From ORD, you can travel directly to Dubai Airport (DXB).
If you plan to leave from ORD, you can take a direct flight from Chicago to Dubai with Emirates.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from Chicago to Dubai. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
ORD is about 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 54 minutes.
Want an easy start to your break? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Dubai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Break up your flight from Chicago to Dubai with a stop so you can recharge or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between O'Hare International Airport and Dubai include:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
On public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 46 minutes. The airport is roughly 19 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 21 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Dubai? Relax in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your adventure officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Arriving in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Dubai Airport (DXB) to the centre of Dubai is around 16 minutes by car. It's approximately 14 kilometres away.
It takes around 49 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near DXB if you're catching a late flight from Chicago to Dubai. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
After your flight from Chicago to Dubai has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 45 minutes by car. Central Dubai is roughly 56 kilometres from Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Public transport will get you there in approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to DWC. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Chicago to Dubai:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Dubai
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Dubai is C$515. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$1,003. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Get cheap flights from Chicago to Dubai by booking 8 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Dubai is April. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flights from Chicago to Dubai. You don't need to search every day to see if prices have fallen. We'll tell you as soon as there's a change in price.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Chicago to Dubai.
Best time to go to Dubai
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Dubai. July is the busiest month to travel to Dubai. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
Before booking a flight from Chicago to Dubai, think about the type of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Dubai, with temperatures ranging from 30ºC to 42ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 14ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Dubai sometime then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Dubai
Start your Dubai trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Chicago to Dubai, browse our range of hotels including:
Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall Heart are just a couple of the popular attractions to put on your Dubai must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Desert safari tourism.
Complete your Dubai trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Chicago to Dubai to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Dubai, from the most popular car rental to the average daily price.