Travelling from Chicago to Columbus: what you need to know
Start your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Columbus jetting off from either of these.
Port Columbus Airport (CMH) and Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) are the major arrival points in Columbus.
The average length of a direct Chicago to Columbus flight is 1 hour 25 minutes.
The timezone in Columbus is UTC-5, which is one hour ahead of Chicago.
The most popular route for flights from Chicago to Columbus is from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Port Columbus Airport (CMH). You can select from 108 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from ORD to CMH is the 07:00 American Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 21:25 with American Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to make your Chicago to Columbus flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Columbus
Book four months before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Chicago to Columbus flights.
September is the best month for nabbing an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Columbus. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus.
Lock in a cheap Chicago to Columbus flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can get a direct flight from Chicago to Columbus departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Start your trip at ORD and end it at Port Columbus Airport (CMH).
Reserve your Chicago to Columbus plane tickets with United Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from ORD.
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Columbus? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
70% of flights taking off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
You can take a direct flight from Chicago to Columbus departing from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Start your travels at MDW and come in for landing at Port Columbus Airport (CMH).
You can book a direct Chicago to Columbus plane ticket with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the leading airlines that operates this route out of MDW.
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take 25 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Columbus, unwind in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway Airport:
76% of all departures from Chicago Midway Airport meet their expected arrival time.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Columbus
Port Columbus Airport (CMH)
The distance from Port Columbus Airport (CMH) to central Columbus is approximately 10 kilometres. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 40 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to CMH if you have a late flight from Chicago to Columbus. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Port Columbus Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Alamo, Budget or Avis and venture far and wide through Columbus and beyond.
Reserve your ride from Port Columbus Airport at least a few weeks in advance to secure the best deal. If you're travelling during a busy period, you may want to book your Chicago to Columbus flight even earlier.
The street address for CMH is 4600 International Gateway.
Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK)
Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) is roughly 16 kilometres from central Columbus. Once you've disembarked your flight from Chicago to Columbus, it takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Unpack your bag and relax not long after your flight from Chicago to Columbus at Baymont by Wyndham Columbus/Rickenbacker. This comfortable accommodation option is a short drive from LCK.
Best time to go to Columbus
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Columbus, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to visit Columbus based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Chicago to Columbus ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Columbus to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF) on average.
More about Columbus
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Columbus, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Columbus:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre are essential stops on your Columbus itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Chicago is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Columbus. Around 451 kilometres to the northwest, top sights here include Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower.
Indianapolis is another well-known destination in the United States and is around 274 kilometres west of Columbus. No trip is complete without visiting Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
