Flying from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO): What you need to know
Set your travel plans in motion by working out where you'll catch your flight from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's main airports.
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3, which is eight hours ahead of Chicago. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located in Nairobi.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Chicago to NBO. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
With more travellers during peak seasons, aim to get to your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international trips will help you stay ahead of the crowds.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even explore a different city. When searching for cheap flights from Chicago to NBO leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find all potential stops. Popular options include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Travelling from central Chicago to ORD takes about 55 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by staying at one of these stays close to O'Hare International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% of flights complete their journey on time.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
You can reach MDW from central Chicago in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to cover the 19 kilometres or so.
Got a crack-of-dawn departure? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your Chicago to NBO flight:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance of 77.88%. This figure sheds light on how often flights that leave from this airport arrive on 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 reach the airport by car and 4 hours 15 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Wake up, take it easy and still make your Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport flight with plenty of time to spare. These hotels near Chicago Rockford International Airport make departure day effortless if you're flying out first thing:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights get to their destinations when they should. At RFD, that figure is 76.19%.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near NBO instead:
Explore without limits with a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and chase adventure across Nairobi and beyond.
Booking your ride around three weeks in advance of your Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
Getting from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 11 kilometres from central Nairobi. How long it'll take to get there by car hire or cab depends on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is R 6,488. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 13,345. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Chicago to NBO if you book early. Airlines often have some great early bird deals.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in every month when searching for your Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ticket.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's a better deal on plane tickets from Chicago to NBO.
Filters make it easier to land a deal on your flight from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Pick the flight times, carriers and stops that make sense for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
February is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to visit Nairobi based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book a Chicago to NBO plane ticket departing in March if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Nairobi to range from 14ºC (57ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in July when temperatures are between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF).
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
There are plenty of fantastic things to do in Nairobi when you're ready to see the sights. Kick off your exploring at Masai Mara National Reserve followed by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe manor.
Explore more of Kenya
Nakuru is just one of the many places in Kenya waiting to be explored after you've experienced Nairobi. Around 153 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru and Lake Nakuru View.
If you're ready to explore another corner of Kenya, head for Eldoret, roughly 274 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. Kapseret Eco Resort, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Eldoret and Eldoret Nature & Culture Centre are the start of reasons to visit.