Cheap Flights from Chicago to Washington D.C.

Compare Chicago to Washington D.C. flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Washington D.C.

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Flight deals from Chicago to Washington D.C.

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Chicago to Washington D.C.? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Washington D.C..R 527 per passenger.Departing Thu, 29 May.One-way flight with Spirit Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Spirit Airlines departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Thu, 29 May, arriving in Baltimore Washington International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 527, select.

Washington D.C..R 581 per passenger.Departing Wed, 4 Jun.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Frontier Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Wed, 4 Jun, arriving in Baltimore Washington International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 581, select.

Washington D.C..R 703 per passenger.Departing Wed, 2 Jul.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Frontier Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Wed, 2 Jul, arriving in Baltimore Washington International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 703, select.

Washington D.C..R 757 per passenger.Departing Fri, 1 Aug.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Frontier Airlines departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Fri, 1 Aug, arriving in Baltimore Washington International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 757, select.

Washington D.C..R 1,091 per passenger.Departing Wed, 1 Oct.One-way flight with American Airlines.Outbound direct flight with American Airlines departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Wed, 1 Oct, arriving in Washington Ronald Reagan.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,091, select.

Washington D.C..R 1,091 per passenger.Departing Tue, 4 Nov.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Tue, 4 Nov, arriving in Washington Ronald Reagan.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,091, select.

Washington D.C..R 1,091 per passenger.Departing Wed, 17 Sep.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Chicago Midway on Wed, 17 Sep, arriving in Washington Ronald Reagan.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,091, select.

Washington D.C..R 2,070 per passenger.Departing Fri, 26 Dec.One-way flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Chicago O'Hare International on Fri, 26 Dec, arriving in Washington Dulles.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,070, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C.

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Chicago to Washington D.C. flights are currently cheapest in May.

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Direct flights from Chicago to Washington D.C.

Alternative Chicago to Washington D.C. routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Chicago to Washington D.C.? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Chicago to Washington D.C.: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	R 527
Cheapest month to fly	May
Average flight time	1 hr, 55 mins
Most popular airline	United
Average flights per week	799

Finding cheap flights from Chicago to Washington D.C.: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in Washington D.C.?

There are 5 airports in Washington D.C.: Washington Ronald Reagan, Camp Springs Andrews AFB, Washington Dulles, Baltimore Washington International, and Manassas.

How much are return flights from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

The best price we found for a return flight from Chicago to Washington D.C. is R 1,156. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

1 hour and 55 minutes is the average flight time from Chicago to Washington D.C..

Which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

United, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines fly direct from Chicago to Washington D.C..

How many flights are there a week from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

As of May 2025, there are 799 flights per week flying from Chicago to Washington D.C..

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. is usually May 2025.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Washington D.C.?

If you're flying from Chicago, the cheapest airport near Washington D.C. is Baltimore Washington International – which is 43.6 km away from the centre of Washington D.C.. We've found flights into this airport from R 1,156.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.

Can I get a direct flight from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 55 minutes.

How can I get the best flight deal from Chicago to Washington D.C.?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Washington D.C. but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Washington D.C.?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Washington D.C. is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in Washington D.C.?

In May, the average temperature is usually around 17°C. July is typically the warmest month in Washington D.C., when it usually averages around 31°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -4°C. The rainiest month is September.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. with?

The cheapest airline that flies to Washington D.C. is Frontier Airlines .

Flying from Chicago to Washington DC: what you need to know

Start your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Washington DC departing from either of these.
The major entry paths to Washington DC are Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Hop on a direct Chicago to Washington DC flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 55 minutes.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which is one hour ahead of Chicago.
With 132 flights a week between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Chicago to Washington DC with United Airlines at 06:00. If you prefer to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest departure from ORD to DCA is with United Airlines at 21:10.
To ensure you make your Chicago to Washington DC 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 a good rule of thumb.
Peak months like August or high seasons such as spring break and Christmas will mean longer waits at security and check-in. Travelling then? Play it safe and get to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is a smart idea.

How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Washington DC

Right now, R 527 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Washington DC. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,156. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap Chicago to Washington DC flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on plane tickets from Chicago to Washington DC. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Washington DC by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Chicago to Washington DC flights.

Flying from Chicago

O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

You can travel directly to Washington DC departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Here are some airports you can arrive at without stops when searching for a flight from Chicago to Washington DC:
- Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can choose from various airlines offering direct Chicago to Washington DC plane tickets with departures from ORD, including:
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 takes roughly 55 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Chicago to Washington DC? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to O'Hare International Airport:
Of the departures from O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Thinking of taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)? You can take a direct flight from Chicago to Washington DC out of this popular hub. Arrive at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and skip the layovers.
Southwest Airlines offers direct Chicago to Washington DC plane tickets from MDW. Book your favourite aisle seat and arrive at your destination in a single journey.
On 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.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Washington DC, stay in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 77.88%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on time.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.

Arriving in Washington DC

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC takes about 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 6 kilometres away.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel close to DCA if you have a late flight from Chicago to Washington DC. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Travel at your own pace with a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and venture far and wide through Washington DC and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, book your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks ahead of your Chicago to Washington DC flight.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is roughly 40 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. Once you've hopped off your flight from Chicago to Washington DC, it takes approximately 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The trip will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near IAD. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Chicago to Washington DC:
Forget about public transport timetables or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride one week ahead of your arrival at IAD will save you money.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.

Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is about 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. It'll take you about 50 minutes to get to the city centre by car after your flight from Chicago to Washington DC.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, head for a hotel close to BWI. Settle in at one of these stays after your Chicago to Washington DC flight:
Be in the driver's seat of the next part of your trip by picking up a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are reliable rental providers.
Plan ahead and get the perks. Book your ride from BWI two weeks before your flight from Chicago to Washington DC to access the best rates.

Best time to go to Washington DC

February is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Washington DC. To skip the crowds, head to Washington DC in May.
When booking your Chicago to Washington DC tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in Washington DC, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Washington DC around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.

More about Washington DC

Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Washington DC, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Washington DC:
White House Historical Association and The White House are just two of the top-rated attractions to add to your Washington DC must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to National Mall.

Explore more of United States

Washington DC has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States you'll want to see. About 322 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, a visit to New York will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Philadelphia is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No journey is complete without seeing Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.