Flying from Chicago to Phoenix: what you need to know
All great adventures start at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Phoenix leaving from either of these bases.
The primary gateways to Phoenix are Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
3 hours 41 minutes is the time it takes on average for a direct flight from Chicago to Phoenix. Based in the UTC-7 timezone, Phoenix is 2 hours behind Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 136 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to Phoenix is with United Airlines at 21:50. Choose the first ORD to PHX departure with American Airlines at 05:00 if you want to get going early.
Leave plenty of time to catch your flight from Chicago to Phoenix. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're flying during a major holiday or other peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Once you've booked your cheap flights from Chicago to Phoenix, get your travel documents in order. A visa or passport isn't required since you're travelling within United States. As long as you have another valid form of identification, such as an ID card or driver's licence, you're ready to go.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Depart from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Phoenix. From ORD, you can land directly at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX).
At ORD, you can choose from various carriers that operate direct flights from Chicago to Phoenix, such as:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for flights from Chicago to Phoenix leaving from O'Hare International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes about 54 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a convenient hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to Phoenix, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
You can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Phoenix jetting out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Kick off your travels at MDW and in no time you'll be at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX).
Frontier Airlines has direct flights from Chicago to Phoenix out of MDW. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and reach your destination without any detours.
Split up your flight from Chicago to Phoenix with a stop so you can recharge or cross a new place off your list. Some top stopovers between O'Hare International Airport and Phoenix include:
Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 46 minutes. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 21 minutes.
You're off on vacation, so why not book an additional night away? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Phoenix:
Arriving in Phoenix
Phoenix Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SCF)
Phoenix Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SCF) is around 32 kilometres from central Phoenix. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 33 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 54 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Phoenix. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SCF instead:
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) is about 8 kilometres from the centre of Phoenix. Once you've disembarked your flight from Chicago to Phoenix, expect a drive time of approximately 11 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
You can also travel by public transport, which typically takes 34 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable stays where you can make a pit stop near PHX. Kick back after your flight from Chicago to Phoenix at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Phoenix
C$63 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Phoenix. A return flight starts at C$137. These prices may change based on demand.
Book 9 months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap flights from Chicago to Phoenix.
The cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Phoenix is May. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you time checking for cheap flights from Chicago to Phoenix every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Chicago to Phoenix. Simply select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Phoenix
Plan your trip to Phoenix in high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Chicago to Phoenix in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Schedule your flight from Chicago to Phoenix for July if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Phoenix to range from 26ºC to 44ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Chicago to Phoenix in January when temperatures average between 4ºC and 20ºC.
More about Phoenix
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Phoenix right here. Explore these options after you've booked your flight from Chicago to Phoenix:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are leading attractions which should be on any good Phoenix itinerary.
Complete your Phoenix trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Chicago to Phoenix isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Phoenix and explore on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.