Flying from Chicago to Vancouver: what you need to know
Chicago has two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Chicago to Vancouver departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
When flying into Vancouver, step off the plane at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base (CXH). Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is another major gateway to this city.
The average duration of a direct flight from Chicago to Vancouver is 4 hours 34 minutes. Vancouver's timezone is UTC-7, making Vancouver 2 hours behind Chicago.
With 33 weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Chicago to Vancouver with United Airlines at 08:55. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest departure from ORD to YVR is with United Airlines at 20:06.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to Vancouver, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
If you have a passport from United States and are travelling to Canada for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on the length and purpose of your stay and can be subject to change. For the latest rules, contact your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before reserving a cheap flight from Chicago to Vancouver.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're after a direct flight from Chicago to Vancouver, you can depart from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Get from ORD to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in one continuous trip.
Choose from a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Chicago to Vancouver leaving from ORD. Book your seat with one of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Chicago to Vancouver. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
ORD is about 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 54 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Vancouver, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Chicago to Vancouver, browse these options when taking off from O'Hare International Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
MDW is about 19 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 21 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 46 minutes.
You're off on vacation, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Vancouver:
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is around 14 kilometres from central Vancouver. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is about 26 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes around 33 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to Vancouver, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near YVR:
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
Once your flight from Chicago to Vancouver has arrived, you can reach the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is approximately 2 kilometres from Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH).
Public transport will get you there in around 16 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to Vancouver, rest your head at a hotel near CXH. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Vancouver
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Vancouver is C$138. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$366. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Lock in cheap flights from Chicago to Vancouver by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
The cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Vancouver is April. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest travel date.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from Chicago to Vancouver is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Chicago to Vancouver. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Best time to go to Vancouver
August is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Vancouver. To escape the crowds, go to Vancouver in May.
Book your flight from Chicago to Vancouver for August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Vancouver to range from 13ºC to 24ºC.
December has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 7ºC. Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Vancouver sometime then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Vancouver
After booking your flight from Chicago to Vancouver, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Vancouver:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World are essential stops on your Vancouver itinerary.
Complete your Vancouver trip with a car rental
Explore our lineup of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Vancouver. Whether you're searching for an economy ride, a standard vehicle or even something that'll turn heads, you can easily compare companies in one go to find the best deal.