Flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chicago: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago and you'll be in the air for an average of 4 hours 30 minutes.
Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles. Based in the UTC-6 timezone, Chicago is two hours ahead of Los Angeles.
Pick from 144 services a week between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). This is the most popular flight route.
For a relaxed start to your LAX to Chicago flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling over a peak time like July? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Direct Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago tickets are available for booking. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is where you'll be touching down.
A variety of airlines offer direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago. The most popular include:
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near LAX. Whether you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Los Angeles International Airport has a strong on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from LAX land on schedule 80% of the time.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chicago
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago flight is RM231. The cheapest price for a return flight is RM531. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from LAX to Chicago if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago across the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
There's no need to keep looking every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from LAX to Chicago.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 27 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport typically takes 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks before your flight from LAX to Chicago.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Once your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 25 minutes by car. Central Chicago is roughly 16 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your LAX to Chicago flight, rest your head at a hotel near MDW. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from MDW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.
Chicago Midway International Airport is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago and make your way to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. The centre of Chicago is around 145 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to reach driving.
The journey will take roughly 2 hours if you use public transport.
Book a hotel near RFD and go from the runway to resting in a snap. Whether you have a late LAX to Chicago flight or just want a hassle-free arrival, these stays offer convenience when you need it most:
Rental providers sometimes offer deals on early bookings, so secure your vehicle from RFD well ahead of your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Chicago Rockford International Airport's address is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago, while July is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Chicago based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago plane ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LAX to Chicago around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park and Willis Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Chicago.
Explore more of the United States
Columbus is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Chicago. Around 451 kilometres away to the southeast, well-known attractions include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Whetstone Park / Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in the United States, head for Indianapolis, about 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis are among the biggest draws.