Flying from Chicago to Denver: what you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Denver jetting off from either of these.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the chief entry point to Denver.
Around 2 hours 45 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Chicago to Denver flight.
Denver's timezone is UTC-6, which makes Denver one hour behind Chicago.
With 108 weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Denver International Airport (DEN) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Chicago to Denver with United Airlines at 05:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from ORD to DEN is with Frontier Airlines at 22:11.
To ensure you catch your Chicago to Denver flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Peak months like August or high seasons such as spring break and Christmas will mean bigger lines at check-in and security. Travelling then? Play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Denver
At the moment, R 746 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Denver. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,331. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap Chicago to Denver flights by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Denver is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Denver by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Chicago to Denver flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Chicago to Denver, you can leave from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Get from ORD to Denver International Airport (DEN) without making any stops.
Choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct Chicago to Denver plane tickets out of ORD. Book your journey with one of these:
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Chicago to Denver or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Of the flights that depart from O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% land on schedule at their destination.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Rather fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)? This popular hub offers direct flights from Chicago to Denver, seamlessly connecting to Denver International Airport (DEN).
Southwest Airlines offers direct Chicago to Denver plane tickets from MDW. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and reach your destination in a single journey.
With public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Denver, unwind in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 77.88%.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Denver
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 31 kilometres from central Denver. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 35 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Consider checking in to The Westin Denver International Airport after touching down from your flight from Chicago to Denver. It's a short drive from DEN and a great option if you want to relax as soon as possible.
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Denver International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget to explore Denver and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Denver International Airport around one week before your trip.
DEN is situated at 8500 Pena Boulevard.
Best time to go to Denver
April is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Denver, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Denver based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Chicago to Denver tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. July is the warmest month in Denver, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC (57ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -9ºC (16ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF). Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Denver around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Denver
After booking your flight from Chicago to Denver, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Denver:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Denver Art Museum, Union Station and Denver Botanic Gardens are highlights which should be on any well-planned Denver itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Colorado Springs is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Denver. Around 105 kilometres to the south, check out popular attractions including US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) / North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) Headquarters, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Around 13 kilometres east of Denver, Aurora is another favourite stop in United States. Start your sightseeing at Magellan's Travel Solutions and Gear, The Fairways at Lowry and Retired Enlisted Association Inc.