Travelling from Chicago to Frankfurt: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports to choose from in Chicago. Explore your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when reserving your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) are Frankfurt's major entry points.
Take a direct Chicago to Frankfurt flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 8 hours 25 minutes.
Frankfurt's timezone is UTC+1, making Frankfurt six hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 27 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to Frankfurt is with Lufthansa at 23:35. Choose the first ORD to FRA departure with United Airlines at 14:55 to fit in more activities on your first day in Frankfurt.
Leave enough time to make your Chicago to Frankfurt flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying over a peak time like August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Frankfurt
To snag cheap Chicago to Frankfurt flights, reserve your trip six months ahead of your departure date.
September is the best month for nabbing an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Frankfurt. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Frankfurt by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Lock in a cheap Chicago to Frankfurt flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Set out from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. From ORD, you can fly directly to Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
Secure your Chicago to Frankfurt plane tickets with Lufthansa. This airline is a popular option for direct flights from ORD.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for Chicago to Frankfurt flights departing from O'Hare International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Located around 26 kilometres from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 55 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your holiday? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to Frankfurt or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Get more out of your holiday with a stopover on your Chicago to Frankfurt flight. Visit friends or family or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you choose to do, here's where you can stop between Chicago Midway International Airport and Frankfurt:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
You can reach MDW from central Chicago in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 78%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights that leave from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is approximately 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. Check in to one of these accommodation options near FRA instead:
Grab a Frankfurt Airport rental car and discover Frankfurt and beyond with your own set of wheels. Wheego, Alamo and OK Mobility are popular providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Frankfurt Airport about three weeks before your travel date.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
After your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in about 1 hour 30 minutes by car. Central Frankfurt is approximately 105 kilometres from Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 2 hours 40 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to HHN. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
Flex To Go, Alamo and Keddy By Europcar make picking up a Frankfurt - Hahn Airport rental car quick and easy. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from HHN four weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Frankfurt
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. April is the most popular month to travel to Frankfurt. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in January.
The warmest month in Frankfurt is July, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your Chicago to Frankfurt ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -4ºC and 7ºC. Search for cheap flights from Chicago to Frankfurt around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Frankfurt
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Frankfurt right here. Explore these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
Palmengarten and Goethe House are just the start of the leading attractions to add to your Frankfurt itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Frankfurt Cathedral.
Explore more of Germany
You've done Frankfurt, now it's time to discover other parts of Germany. Journey about 418 kilometres north-east to Berlin to tick off its top attractions. From Brandenburg Gate to Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 386 kilometres north of Frankfurt, Hamburg is another favourite stop in Germany. Experience major highlights starting with Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg.
