Travelling from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Chicago: what you need to know
Chicago is 7 hours behind Cape Town, where Cape Town International Airport is located. Chicago operates on the UTC-5 timezone.
To ensure you catch your flight from CPT to Chicago, allow 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 travel rule.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months like June and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
We make it easy to find a flight from CPT to Chicago that includes a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
You'll need an embassy visa for United States if you have a passport from South Africa and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before booking your cheap ticket from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most recent updates.
To reach CPT from central Cape Town, it takes about 21 minutes if you're travelling by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 19 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Catching an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to CPT:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Chicago
C$857 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago. Return flights start at C$1,489. These fares can change based on availability.
To pick up cheap tickets from CPT to Chicago, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago across each month. It's the best way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from CPT to Chicago. You don't need to check back in every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll tell you as soon as the price changes.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 40 kilometres. It'll take you around 35 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 54 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to ORD if you have a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is about 19 kilometres from central Chicago. Once you've disembarked your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago, it'll take you around 21 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take approximately 46 minutes.
You'll find some great places ready to welcome you near MDW. Unwind and get cozy after your flight from CPT to Chicago at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago. August is the busiest month to travel to Chicago. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with the temperature ranging between 15ºC and 29ºC. Book your flights from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from CPT to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC and 3ºC.
More about Chicago
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Chicago right here. Explore these options once you've locked in your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are just a couple of the leading attractions to add to your Chicago itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Cape Town International Airport to Chicago to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you everything you need to know about car rentals in Chicago, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.
