Flying from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM): What you need to know
Your travel story starts at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore the options for booking a flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) jetting off from either of these bases.
Expect to be travelling for 1 hour 50 minutes. That's the average time for a direct Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight.
Memphis International Airport is located in Memphis. The city's timezone is UTC-5, which is the same as Chicago.
The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Memphis International Airport (MEM), with 51 direct weekly services. If you're looking to take off without delay, the earliest flight from ORD to MEM is the 6:50am American Airlines option. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the final departure is at 10:05pm with American Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to MEM, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During high season, allow for extended wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international trips.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can book a direct flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
When departing from ORD, you can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport with United Airlines.
United Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for flights from ORD to MEM.
With 75.82% of its services landing as planned, American Airlines is the highest-rated carrier for punctuality on this route.
ORD is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
When it comes to O'Hare International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 74.85% of flights complete their journey on time.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Looking to fly out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)? Direct Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) plane tickets can be booked from here.
Board your direct flight from Chicago to MEM with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the main carriers flying this route out of MDW.
On the MDW to MEM route, Southwest Airlines is the preferred choice for many passengers.
With 77.36% of services landing on schedule, Southwest Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying between Chicago Midway International Airport and Memphis International Airport.
You can get to MDW from central Chicago in approximately 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes to cover the 19 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Chicago to MEM flight? Relax in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your adventure officially begins. These stays are expecting you:
77.88% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
From the centre of Chicago, RFD is around 137 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to get there by car and 4 hours 15 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll make it to your boarding gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight:
The on-time performance rate of RFD is 76.19%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights that depart this airport arrive as planned.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
About Memphis International Airport (MEM)
Have a late flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Stay at one of these hotels near MEM and turn out the lights sooner:
Grab a Memphis International Airport rental car and explore Memphis and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular providers to choose from here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride around four weeks ahead of your Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight.
The address for MEM is 2491 Winchester Road, Suite 113.
Getting from Memphis International Airport (MEM) to central Memphis
Memphis International Airport is about 13 kilometres from central Memphis. How long it'll take to get to the centre by car hire or cab will depend on the time of day. Do some research before you go.
Travelling by public transport will take you around 1 hour 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Memphis International Airport is R 1,018. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 2,037. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Book three months before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Chicago to MEM.
The best month for scoring cheap Chicago to Memphis International Airport tickets is August. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to MEM is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM)
July is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM). Visit Memphis in April if you prefer a quieter experience.
Lock in a Chicago to MEM plane ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Memphis to range from 19ºC (66ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Memphis International Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -3ºC (27ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF).
More about Memphis
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Memphis right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport:
There are plenty of things to do in Memphis when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Kick off your exploring at Elvis Presley’s Memphis followed by Elvis Presley's Home and National Civil Rights Museum.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Memphis, now it's time to explore other corners of the United States. Journey around 209 kilometres west to Little Rock to tick off its leading attractions. From Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Centre and River Market District, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Clarksville is another must-experience destination in the United States and is around 290 kilometres north-east of Memphis. No journey is complete without seeing North Ford Street Mountain Bike Trail Park, Sherwood Forest Park and Fort Sevier/Fort Defiance/Fort Bruce Civil War Park and Interpretive Centre.
