Flying from Melbourne to Chicago: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Melbourne to Chicago.
Touch down in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Melbourne to Chicago.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from Australia, you will need an ETA to visit United States. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Melbourne to Chicago for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you make travel plans and definitely before flying.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
We make it a piece of cake to find a flight from Melbourne to Chicago that includes a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
MEL is about 24 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 28 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 42 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Melbourne to Chicago? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 40 kilometres. It'll take you around 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of roughly 54 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near ORD if you're taking a late flight from Melbourne to Chicago. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Central Chicago is located around 19 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Melbourne to Chicago has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 21 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 46 minutes.
You'll find some cosy stays ready to welcome you near MDW. Tuck yourself in after your flight from Melbourne to Chicago at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Chicago
R 9,938 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Chicago. A return flight starts at R 19,425. These fares may change depending on demand.
To get your hands on cheap tickets from Melbourne to Chicago, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when flights are first made available.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Melbourne to Chicago across every month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Chicago. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll update you as soon as the price changes.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Melbourne to Chicago, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Chicago
February is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Chicago, while August is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 29ºC. Book your flights from Melbourne to Chicago in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Chicago in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 3ºC on average.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Chicago, explore our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are top attractions which should feature on any good Chicago itinerary.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Melbourne to Chicago isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Chicago and have more freedom to explore. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
