Travelling from Frankfurt to Chicago: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll catch your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) are Frankfurt's main airports.
When choosing where to land in Chicago, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the chief entry points.
Around 9 hours 20 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Frankfurt to Chicago flight.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-5, making Chicago six hours behind Frankfurt.
With 27 weekly flights between the two airports, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Frankfurt to Chicago with United Airlines at 08:40. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the last flight from FRA to ORD is with Lufthansa at 17:25.
Give yourself enough time to make your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Chicago
Book two months before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Frankfurt to Chicago flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Frankfurt to Chicago is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Getting a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Frankfurt to Chicago flights.
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
If you're after a direct flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, you can leave from Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Travel from FRA to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) without making any stops.
Lufthansa is a popular airline that offers direct Frankfurt to Chicago plane tickets from FRA.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Frankfurt Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
FRA is about 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Frankfurt Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Frankfurt to Chicago or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of all flights departing from Frankfurt Airport, 67.47% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Visit friends or family or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these stops between Frankfurt - Hahn Airport and Chicago:
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
On public transport, you can travel from central Frankfurt to HHN in around 2 hours 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 105 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago? Kick back in a hotel near Frankfurt - Hahn Airport before your adventure officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
53% of flights departing Frankfurt - Hahn Airport arrive according to schedule.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes around 35 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport will take you roughly 55 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. Reserve one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up an O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond Chicago's usual tourist stops.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead of your Frankfurt to Chicago flight.
The street address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is roughly 14 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. Following your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The journey will take about 45 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, settle in at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the rates and availability from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Don't pay more than you need to. Securing your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at MDW can land you a better rate.
You'll find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is around 129 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. It takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to get to the city centre by ride-share or cab after your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey time is about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Take control of the next leg of your trip by picking up a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National make getting on the road effortless.
If you're hoping for a specific model or make, booking early increases your chances of finding what you want. Reserve your ride from RFD at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago.
The street address for Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the most popular month for flights from Frankfurt to Chicago. To avoid the crowds, visit Chicago in January.
Book a Frankfurt to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, check out our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Chicago. Around 451 kilometres to the south-east, top sights here include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another standout destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without a visit to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.