Flying from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale: what you need to know
Your next exciting journey begins at one of Chicago's main airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale departing from either of these bases.
Hop off the plane at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). This is the major gateway to Fort Lauderdale.
Around 3 hours is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Chicago to Fort Lauderdale flight.
Fort Lauderdale's timezone is UTC-5, which makes Fort Lauderdale one hour ahead of Chicago.
The busiest route for flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). There are 56 services that connect the two airports every week.
To ensure you get on your Chicago to Fort Lauderdale flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap Chicago to Fort Lauderdale flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more expensive your ticket may be.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale across every month. It's an easy way to find 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 Chicago to Fort Lauderdale.
Find a cheap Chicago to Fort Lauderdale flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Take off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. From ORD, you can fly directly into Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL).
These are some of the most popular airlines offering direct Chicago to Fort Lauderdale plane tickets with departures from ORD:
Travelling from central Chicago to ORD takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a convenient hotel near Chicago O'Hare International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Of all flights leaving Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 70% land on time at their destination.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Consider booking your direct flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale departing Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Nonstop services from MDW will get you to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL).
Book a direct Chicago to Fort Lauderdale plane ticket with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the leading carriers that operates this route out of MDW.
With public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 25 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale? Relax in a hotel near Chicago Midway Airport before your adventure officially starts. Check out these accommodation options:
Chicago Midway Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76%. This figure reflects how often flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) to central Fort Lauderdale takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
It typically takes 35 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. Book one of these accommodation options near FLL instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Fort Lauderdale International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Renta Florida, OtoQ or Thrifty and explore beyond Fort Lauderdale's usual tourist stops.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Fort Lauderdale International Airport about three weeks ahead of your departure.
FLL is situated at 320 Terminal Drive.
Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE)
Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) is around 8 kilometres from central Fort Lauderdale. Check out your options for travelling into town after your flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale has touched down.
After your flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, settle in at a hotel close to FXE. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Pick up a Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own set of wheels. National is just moments from arrivals, so you can drive off in a flash.
Generally, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Reserve your ride from FXE as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Best time to go to Fort Lauderdale
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, while April is the busiest. Figure out the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Chicago to Fort Lauderdale tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Fort Lauderdale, with temperatures ranging from 26ºC (79ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Fort Lauderdale
Start your Fort Lauderdale trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, check out our range of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Las Olas Beach, Playa las Olas and Museum of Discovery and Science are attractions you won't want to skip in Fort Lauderdale.
Explore more of the United States
You've done Fort Lauderdale, now it's time to discover other corners of the United States. Travel about 483 kilometres north to Jacksonville to tick off its popular sights. From St. John's Cathedral to MOCA (Museum Of Contemporary Art), Jacksonville and Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in the United States, consider Miami, roughly 40 kilometres south of Fort Lauderdale. Close Beach, Ocean Dr and Port of Miami are the start of reasons to visit.