Flying from Ottawa to Chicago: what you need to know
Planning your vacation starts with working out where you'll leave from in Ottawa. Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Ottawa to Chicago taking off from here.
Arrive in Chicago at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
Book a direct Ottawa to Chicago flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Chicago is one hour behind Ottawa and is in the UTC-6 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Ottawa to Chicago is from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Take your pick of 20 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from YOW to ORD is the 06:25 United Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 18:40 with United Airlines.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Ottawa to Chicago flight.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Chicago
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Ottawa to Chicago flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Ottawa to Chicago throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Ottawa to Chicago.
Find a cheap Ottawa to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Ottawa
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
You can get a direct flight from Ottawa to Chicago jetting off from Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Begin your journey at YOW and land at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Reserve your Ottawa to Chicago plane tickets with United Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from YOW.
YOW is about 11 kilometres from central Ottawa. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near Ottawa International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Ottawa to Chicago or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of all flights leaving Ottawa International Airport, 65% touch down on time at their destination.
You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
Getting there on public transport will take you around 45 minutes.
Book a hotel close to ORD if you're coming in on a late flight from Ottawa to Chicago. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and see more of Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead of your departure.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is around 14 kilometres from central Chicago. Once you've disembarked your flight from Ottawa to Chicago, it takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near MDW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Ottawa to Chicago:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab lines. Grab a Chicago Midway Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare offers from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from MDW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
The address for Chicago Midway Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) is about 129 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. It'll take you about 1 hour 40 minutes to get to the city centre by car once you've stepped off your flight from Ottawa to Chicago.
Public transport can get you there in about 2 hours.
Whether you'd like a mini just for you or a full-size SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the right Chicago Rockford Airport rental car for your needs. Explore wheels available from companies such as Budget, Alamo and National.
Booking a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Ottawa to Chicago is always a good idea. Along with more affordable prices, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at RFD.
The address for Chicago Rockford Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
March is the quietest month for flights from Ottawa to Chicago, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to visit Chicago based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book a Ottawa to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Ottawa to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
Once you've booked your flight from Ottawa to Chicago, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are just two of the top-rated attractions to add to your Chicago to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
Chicago has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be discovered. Around 451 kilometres southeast of Chicago, a visit to Columbus will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. No journey is complete without dropping by Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
