Travelling from Chicago to Rome: what you need to know
Get your vacation planning started by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Chicago to Rome. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's main airports.
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) are Rome's chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct flight from Chicago to Rome is 9 hours 9 minutes. Rome's timezone is UTC+1, which makes Rome 6 hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 18 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Chicago to Rome is with American Airlines at 17:20. Go for the first ORD to FCO departure with ITA Airways at 15:00 to maximize your time in Rome.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chicago to Rome, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a popular month like August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you have a passport from United States and want to travel to Italy for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may differ based on your reason for visiting and are subject to change. For the latest information, contact your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before booking a cheap flight from Chicago to Rome.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Depart from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Rome. From ORD, you can fly directly to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Chicago to Rome departing from ORD. Book your journey with one of these:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for flights from Chicago to Rome leaving from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
J. Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice Airport (KRK)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
ORD is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 54 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Rome or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Break up your flight from Chicago to Rome with a stop so you can freshen up or tick another place off your list. Some great stopovers between O'Hare International Airport and Rome include:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
J. Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice Airport (KRK)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
You can arrive at MDW from central Chicago in approximately 21 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 46 minutes to travel the 19 kilometres or so.
It's your vacation, so why not book an extra night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Rome:
Arriving in Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is around 32 kilometres from the centre of Rome. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 39 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 51 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near FCO if you're catching a late flight from Chicago to Rome. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
The centre of Rome is located around 18 kilometres from Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA). After your flight from Chicago to Rome has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 42 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take roughly 1 hour and 39 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to Rome, kick back at a hotel near CIA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Rome
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Rome is C$395. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$722. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Book 1 month before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap flights from Chicago to Rome.
September is the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Rome. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from Chicago to Rome couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Chicago to Rome. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Rome
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Rome. August is the most popular month for a trip to Rome. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Rome is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 33ºC. Book your flights from Chicago to Rome in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
For cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Chicago to Rome in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 14ºC.
More about Rome
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Rome right here. Explore these options after you've booked your flight from Chicago to Rome:
Colosseum and Trevi Fountain are a couple of leading attractions to put on your Rome must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Roman Forum.
Complete your Rome trip with a car rental
Discover our lineup of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Rome. Whether you want a compact ride, family sedan or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.