Flying from Chicago to Orlando: what you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Orlando jetting off from either of these.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) are the key hubs in Orlando.
2 hours 41 minutes is the average journey time for a direct flight from Chicago to Orlando. Operating on the UTC-4 timezone, Orlando is 1 hour ahead of Chicago.
With 110 weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Chicago to Orlando with Spirit Airlines at 05:20. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from ORD to MCO is with Frontier Airlines at 20:02.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chicago to Orlando, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Longer lines at security and check-in are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing space. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
For a flight within United States, you won't need a visa or passport. However, you'll have to bring some form of identification, like an ID card or driver's licence. Once you've booked cheap flights from Chicago to Orlando, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Chicago to Orlando, they're available from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Fly from ORD to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in one seamless trip.
Top carriers that offer direct flights from Chicago to Orlando departing ORD include:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Chicago to Orlando. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
Quad City International Airport (MLI)
Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in approximately 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport is roughly 54 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Orlando, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Consider booking your direct flight from Chicago to Orlando out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Nonstop connections from MDW will take you to Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Catch your direct flight from Chicago to Orlando with Frontier Airlines. This is one of the main airlines operating this route out of MDW.
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Chicago to Orlando, check out these options when taking off from O'Hare International Airport:
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
Quad City International Airport (MLI)
Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI)
MDW is around 19 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 21 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 46 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away from home? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Orlando:
Arriving in Orlando
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport (MCO) to central Orlando takes about 22 minutes by car. It's approximately 32 kilometres away.
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Orlando, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near MCO:
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
The centre of Orlando is approximately 48 kilometres from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Once your flight from Chicago to Orlando has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 36 minutes.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes.
There are some cosy hotels where you can make a pit stop near SFB. Tuck yourself in after your flight from Chicago to Orlando at one of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Orlando
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Orlando is R 771. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,438. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Score cheap tickets from Chicago to Orlando by booking 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Orlando. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Chicago to Orlando. There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have fallen. We'll tell you when the price changes.
Use filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Chicago to Orlando, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Orlando
July is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Orlando. To skip the crowds, go to Orlando in May.
Before locking in your flight from Chicago to Orlando, consider the kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Orlando, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 7ºC and 23ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Orlando sometime then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Orlando
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Orlando right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Orlando:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Universal Orlando Resort, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Lake Eola Park are must-visits when exploring Orlando.
Complete your Orlando trip with a car rental
Browse our range of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Orlando. Whether you're looking for a compact ride, roomy sedan or something with all the extras, you can easily compare companies in one go to get the best deal.
