Travelling from Chicago to Cincinnati: what you need to know
Start your trip planning by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Chicago to Cincinnati. Explore your options for setting off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), two of the city's main airports.
Touch down at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG). This is the primary arrival point in Cincinnati.
The average time for a direct Chicago to Cincinnati flight is 1 hour 15 minutes.
The timezone in Cincinnati is UTC-4, which is one hour ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 82 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Chicago to Cincinnati is with United Airlines at 21:35. Opt for the first ORD to CVG departure operated by United Airlines at 07:10 to make the most of your first day in Cincinnati.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Chicago to Cincinnati flight.
Hopping on a plane during a peak time like August? Busy periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break) can easily add an hour at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Cincinnati
Right now, R 1,483 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Cincinnati. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,688. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap Chicago to Cincinnati flights, book your trip two months before your departure.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Cincinnati is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Cincinnati by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Chicago to Cincinnati flights.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Cincinnati leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Start your trip at ORD and end it at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG).
Lock in your Chicago to Cincinnati plane tickets with United Airlines. This airline is a popular choice for direct flights from ORD.
ORD is around 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Cincinnati, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
74.85% of flights that depart O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Consider booking your direct flight from Chicago to Cincinnati out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Nonstop connections from MDW will take you to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG).
From MDW, you can lock in a direct Chicago to Cincinnati plane ticket with Southwest Airlines.
You can reach MDW from central Chicago in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Cincinnati? Check in to a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your holiday officially starts. Check out these accommodation options:
77.88% of flights out of Chicago Midway International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Cincinnati
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) is approximately 193 kilometres from central Cincinnati. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 20 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you around 40 minutes.
Explore without limits with a Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Hertz or Thrifty and discover more of Cincinnati and beyond.
Booking your ride from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport around two weeks in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Best time to go to Cincinnati
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Chicago to Cincinnati. July is the most popular month to travel to Cincinnati. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
Book a Chicago to Cincinnati ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Cincinnati to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Cincinnati in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -10ºC (14ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF) on average.
More about Cincinnati
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Cincinnati, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Cincinnati:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Cincinnati Art Museum and Fountain Square are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Cincinnati itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Chicago is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Cincinnati. Around 402 kilometres to the north-west, popular attractions include Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Columbus is another favourite destination in United States and is around 161 kilometres north-east of Cincinnati. No trip is complete without experiencing Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.