Travelling from Chicago to Reykjavik: what you need to know
Chicago is home to a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Reykjavik departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is the major hub where you can disembark in Reykjavik.
The average time for a direct flight from Chicago to Reykjavik is 6 hours 10 minutes. Reykjavik's timezone is UTC+0, making Reykjavik 5 hours ahead of Chicago.
With 13 weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Chicago to Reykjavik with Icelandair at 18:30. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from ORD to KEF is with Icelandair at 22:15.
For hassle-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 board your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months such as August and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
You won't need a visa for Iceland if you hold a passport from United States and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to changes. So before organizing your cheap flights from Chicago to Reykjavik, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can book a nonstop flight from Chicago to Reykjavik leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Start your journey at ORD and touch down at Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
You can get away on a direct flight from Chicago to Reykjavik with Icelandair. This well-known airline operates departures from ORD.
We make it a breeze to book a flight from Chicago to Reykjavik that includes a stopover. To see the options departing from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
ORD is about 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be approximately 54 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Reykjavik? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these hotels near O'Hare International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Maximize your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, here's where you can stop between O'Hare International Airport and Reykjavik:
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
You can arrive at MDW from central Chicago in approximately 21 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 46 minutes to travel the 19 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik? Kick back in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your break officially starts. Check out these accommodation options:
Arriving in Reykjavik
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
Keflavik International Airport (KEF) to central Reykjavik is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 49 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling on public transport typically takes 1 hour and 13 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Reykjavik, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near KEF:
Reykjavik International Airport (RKV)
The centre of Reykjavik is around 2 kilometres from Reykjavik International Airport (RKV). As soon as your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 6 minutes.
The trip will take approximately 23 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some cozy hotels to call home for the night near RKV. Settle in after your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik at any of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Reykjavik
C$353 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Reykjavik. A return flight starts from C$626. These prices can change depending on demand.
Lock in cheap flights from Chicago to Reykjavik by booking 11 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
July is the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Reykjavik. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from Chicago to Reykjavik. There's no need to check back in every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Chicago to Reykjavik, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Reykjavik
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik. July is the busiest month for a trip to Reykjavik. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
Schedule your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik for July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Reykjavik to range from 8ºC to 15ºC.
December has average temperatures of between -6ºC and 4ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Reykjavik sometime around then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Reykjavik
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Reykjavik right here. Browse these options once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Reykjavik:
Hallgrimskirkja silhouette and Perlan are just the start of the leading attractions to add to your Reykjavik travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out National Museum of Iceland.
Complete your Reykjavik trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Chicago to Reykjavik isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Reykjavik and explore on your own terms. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
