Travelling from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA): What you need to know
The first chapter of your trip begins at one of Chicago's main airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore the options for booking a flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA) leaving from either of these.
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 45 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct Chicago to Tampa International Airport flight.
Tampa is one hour ahead of Chicago. Tampa International Airport is located in Tampa, which is in the UTC-5 timezone.
The most popular route is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tampa International Airport (TPA). You can pick from 59 direct services every week.
Leave enough time to get on your flight from Chicago to TPA. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
With more people on the move during peak months like July, get to the terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will help you deal with longer queues. Remember things also get busy during major holidays like Fourth of July.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can hop on a direct flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA) out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
A variety of airlines at ORD offer direct flights from Chicago to Tampa International Airport. These are some of the go-tos:
The preferred airline for passengers flying between ORD and TPA is United.
United is the most punctual carrier on this route.
ORD is around 27 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Searching for a comfortable hotel close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, data shows 70% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
You can book a direct Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA) plane ticket out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Work out whether leaving from MDW works best for your plans.
From MDW, direct flights from Chicago to TPA are available with Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines is the go-to airline for bookings on the MDW to TPA route.
Among the carriers operating flights between Chicago Midway International Airport and Tampa International Airport, Southwest Airlines leads in on-time performance.
You can reach MDW from the centre of Chicago in approximately 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to cover the 16 kilometres or so.
Catching an early morning flight? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your Chicago to TPA flight:
76% of flights leaving Chicago Midway International Airport arrive according to schedule.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is roughly 145 kilometres from central Chicago. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, you can expect a journey of around 2 hours.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll be at your boarding gate with time to spare. Settle in at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Chicago to Tampa International Airport flight:
Flights departing from RFD arrive at their destination within the expected time frame 71% of the time.
The street address of Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
About Tampa International Airport (TPA)
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near TPA:
To get the best deal, reserve your ride around one week ahead of your Chicago to Tampa International Airport flight.
TPA is located at 5507 West Spruce Street.
Getting from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to central Tampa
Tampa International Airport is around 11 kilometres from central Tampa. It takes around 20 minutes or so to drive to the city.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA)
RM339 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Tampa International Airport. Return flights start from RM679. These prices may change based on demand.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Chicago to TPA. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when searching for your Chicago to Tampa International Airport ticket.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to TPA couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Filters make it easier to track down a bargain for your flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport. Pick the airlines, flight times and number of stops that check all your boxes. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA)
December is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Tampa International Airport (TPA), while March is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Tampa based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Chicago to TPA plane ticket departing in August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Tampa to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Tampa International Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about Tampa
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Tampa International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tampa:
You'll find loads of awesome things to do in Tampa when you're ready to sightsee. Kick off your itinerary at Busch Gardens Tampa followed by The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
Explore more of the United States
You've done Tampa, now it's time to discover other corners of the United States. Journey about 274 kilometres north to Jacksonville to tick off its top sights. From St. John's Cathedral to Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in the United States, head for Orlando, roughly 129 kilometres northeast of Tampa. Hogwarts, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Jurassic world are among the biggest draws.
