Flying from London to Chicago: what you need to know
When planning your flight from London to Chicago, you'll have a good range of airports to jet out of. Consider London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) for your departure. Other possibilities include Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's primary hubs.
8 hours 54 minutes is the time it takes on average for a direct flight from London to Chicago. Based in the UTC-5 timezone, Chicago is 5 hours behind London.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 90 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from London to Chicago is with British Airways at 15:45. Go for the first LHR to ORD departure operated by American Airlines at 08:10 if you're more of an early bird.
Leave plenty of time to make your flight from London to Chicago. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Taking off during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
You will need an ETA for United States if you have a passport from United Kingdom and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to change. So before you book your cheap flights from London to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for up-to-date information.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You can reserve a direct flight from London to Chicago departing from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Begin your journey at LHR and touch down at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
You'll have your choice of airlines operating direct flights from London to Chicago departing from LHR. Book your ticket with one of these:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from London to Chicago. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from London Heathrow Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Located around 31 kilometres from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in approximately 57 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 1 minute.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from London to Chicago or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from London to Chicago, check out these options when setting off from London Heathrow Airport:
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in about 1 hour and 26 minutes. The airport is roughly 80 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your flight from London to Chicago:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 40 kilometres. It takes about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you around 54 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from London to Chicago. Book one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Once your flight from London to Chicago has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 21 minutes by car. Central Chicago is approximately 19 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
You can also travel using public transport, which will take about 46 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from London to Chicago:
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Chicago
233 € is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from London to Chicago. A return flight starts from 413 €. These fares can change depending on availability.
Get cheap tickets from London to Chicago by booking at least 9 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from London to Chicago. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Finding a cheap ticket from London to Chicago is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from London to Chicago.
Best time to go to Chicago
February is the quietest month for flights from London to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Figure out the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your flight from London to Chicago, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with the temperature ranging from 15ºC to 29ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from London to Chicago in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 3ºC on average.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from London to Chicago, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are attractions you won't want to skip in Chicago.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
Explore our range of car rentals once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from London to Chicago. Whether you want an SUV, a compact ride or something that makes a statement, you can compare companies in one go to get the best deal.
