Travelling from Philadelphia to Chicago: what you need to know
Start your travels at one of Philadelphia's main airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). Check out your options for booking a flight from Philadelphia to Chicago taking off from either of these.
The chief entry points to Chicago are O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Book a direct Philadelphia to Chicago flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 2 hours 15 minutes.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-5, which makes Chicago one hour behind Philadelphia.
The most popular route for flights from Philadelphia to Chicago is from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Choose from 86 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from PHL to ORD is the 05:00 American Airlines service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the final scheduled service is at 21:40 with American Airlines.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Philadelphia to Chicago flight.
Travelling during a popular month such as August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Chicago
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia to Chicago is R 741. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,414. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To snag cheap Philadelphia to Chicago flights, book your journey two months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Finding a cheap flight from Philadelphia to Chicago is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Save money on your Philadelphia to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Start your trip at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which offers a range of direct flights from Philadelphia to Chicago. From PHL, you can fly nonstop to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Well-known airlines that offer direct Philadelphia to Chicago plane tickets departing from PHL include:
PHL is about 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Philadelphia to Chicago? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Philadelphia International Airport:
78.93% of flights taking off from Philadelphia International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
You'll find PHL at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 26 kilometres. It'll take you around 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Philadelphia to Chicago. Reserve one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Grab an O'Hare International Airport rental car and discover Chicago and beyond with your own wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from O'Hare International Airport about four weeks before your trip.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Central Chicago is located around 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). As soon as your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 45 minutes.
After your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, tuck yourself in at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW can get you a lower rate.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Travel to the centre after your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago has arrived. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport can get you there in about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Take the guesswork out of the next leg of your journey with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National are reliable rental providers.
If you're looking for a particular type of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at snagging what you want. Reserve your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago.
The address for Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Philadelphia to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your Philadelphia to Chicago ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Chicago in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, browse our range of hotels including:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are just the start of the top-rated attractions to add to your Chicago itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Explore more of United States
Chicago will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be explored. About 451 kilometres south-east of Chicago, a trip to Columbus will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without experiencing The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
