Travelling from Vancouver to Chicago: what you need to know
When looking for a flight from Vancouver to Chicago, there's a range of airports you can start your trip from. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are among Vancouver's main options.
When planning your arrival in Chicago, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) are the primary gateways.
Around 4 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Vancouver to Chicago flight.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-6, which is two hours ahead of Vancouver.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 23 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Vancouver to Chicago is with American Airlines at 23:59. Choose the first YVR to ORD departure operated by United Airlines at 06:15 to maximise your time in Chicago.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Vancouver to Chicago flight.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Chicago
Book one month before travelling. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Vancouver to Chicago flights.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Chicago. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Vancouver to Chicago by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Vancouver to Chicago flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Vancouver to Chicago, you can depart from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Get from YVR to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in one seamless trip.
Choose from a range of airlines offering direct Vancouver to Chicago plane tickets with departures from YVR, including:
The journey from central Vancouver to YVR takes around 25 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 10 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Vancouver to Chicago? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to Vancouver International Airport:
Of the departures from Vancouver International Airport, 77% land on schedule at their destination.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
YXX is around 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey of around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Make catching an early Vancouver to Chicago flight the easiest part of your journey. Book a room at one of these accommodation options near Abbotsford Airport and get to your check-in counter with time to spare:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights reach their destinations without delays. At YXX, that figure is 75%.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Vancouver to Chicago. Check in to one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget to explore Chicago and beyond.
Booking your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
ORD is situated at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Vancouver to Chicago has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 25 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 30 minutes or so.
After your flight from Vancouver to Chicago, unwind at a hotel close to MDW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Chicago Midway Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and set off in the blink of an eye.
Lock in the lowest price by securing your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Chicago Midway Airport is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Head toward the city centre after your flight from Vancouver to Chicago has touched down. Central Chicago is about 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
The journey takes about 2 hours when travelling by public transport.
Begin your journey without stressing over how to get to your next stop with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. You can book with reliable names here like Budget, Alamo and National.
If you'd like a specific kind of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of finding what you want. Book your ride from RFD a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Vancouver to Chicago.
Chicago Rockford Airport can be found at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
July is the most popular month for flights from Vancouver to Chicago. To skip the crowds, go to Chicago in March.
When booking your Vancouver to Chicago tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC to 28ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC and 3ºC.
More about Chicago
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Chicago right here. Explore these hotels once you've booked your flight from Vancouver to Chicago:
Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are a couple of major attractions to add to your Chicago must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Chicago, now it's time to discover other corners of the United States. Journey around 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to tick off its popular sights. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago, Indianapolis is another favourite stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
