Flying from Montreal to Chicago: what you need to know
Montreal's main base, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Montreal to Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's major gateways.
A direct flight from Montreal to Chicago takes on average 2 hours 39 minutes. The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which is 1 hour behind Montreal.
With 63 weekly flights between the two airports, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Montreal to Chicago with United Airlines at 06:00. If you're keen to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from YUL to ORD is with Air Canada at 19:45.
To ensure you catch your flight from Montreal to Chicago, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or other peak period, allow extra 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.
You don't need a visa for United States if you have a passport from Canada and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before reserving your cheap flights from Montreal to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest rules.
Flying from Montreal
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
You can reserve a direct flight from Montreal to Chicago taking off from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Start your journey at YUL and touch down at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
You'll have your choice of carriers offering direct flights from Montreal to Chicago departing from YUL. Get on board with any of these:
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Montreal, YUL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport will take roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes.
After an easy start to your journey? Stay near Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Montreal to Chicago or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 35 minutes.
Getting there by public transport will take you roughly 54 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Montreal to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is located around 19 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Montreal to Chicago has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 21 minutes.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take roughly 46 minutes.
After your flight from Montreal to Chicago, rest your head at a hotel near MDW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Montreal to Chicago
C$154 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Chicago. Return flights start at C$234. These fares can change depending on demand.
To score cheap flights from Montreal to Chicago, reserve your trip 9 months before the departure date.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Montreal to Chicago. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Getting a cheap ticket from Montreal to Chicago couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Montreal to Chicago.
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the most popular month for flights from Montreal to Chicago. To skip the crowds, visit Chicago in February.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 29ºC. Book your flights from Montreal to Chicago in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Search for cheap flights from Montreal to Chicago around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Montreal to Chicago, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are must-visits when exploring Chicago.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Montreal to Chicago to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Chicago, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.
