Travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Kuala Lumpur. Check out your options leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago.
Hop off your plane in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which is 13 hours behind Kuala Lumpur.
To ensure you board your Kuala Lumpur to Chicago flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago
To pick up cheap Kuala Lumpur to Chicago flights, book ahead. Airlines typically offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago throughout the month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save money on your Kuala Lumpur to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
We make it easy to book a Kuala Lumpur to Chicago flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Travelling from central Kuala Lumpur to KUL takes around 1 hour on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 1 hour 5 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
58.65% of flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
On public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 18 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 25 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago? Kick back in a hotel near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport before your break officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
68% of flights departing Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
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.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 55 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near ORD:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget to explore Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
ORD is situated at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Once your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Chicago is roughly 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
You can expect the trip to take approximately 45 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to lay your head close to MDW. Tuck yourself in after your Kuala Lumpur to Chicago flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Dollar, Hertz and Budget make picking up a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Snap up the best price by booking your ride from MDW four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago and head straight for your hotel or start sightseeing right away. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and typically takes 1 hour 25 minutes to reach driving.
Public transport can get you there in around 4 hours 15 minutes.
Begin your travels without stressing about how to arrive at your destination with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. You can book a set of wheels from reliable names here like Budget, Alamo and National.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago is a good move. As well as better prices, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at RFD.
Chicago Rockford International Airport can be found at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago, while August is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to visit Chicago based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Kuala Lumpur to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Search for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are popular attractions which should feature 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 discovered once you've seen the sights of Chicago. Around 451 kilometres to the south-east, its top attractions include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago, Indianapolis is another essential stop in United States. No visit is complete without checking out The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.