Flying from Seattle to Chicago: what you need to know
Begin planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Seattle to Chicago. Explore your options for setting off from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Paine Field Airport (PAE), two of the city's main airports.
The major entry paths to Chicago are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
Around 4 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Seattle to Chicago flight.
Chicago is two hours ahead of Seattle and follows the UTC-6 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Seattle to Chicago is from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). You can select from 113 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SEA to ORD is the 00:05 American Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the latest available service is at 23:59 with American Airlines.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Seattle to Chicago flight.
Flying during a peak time like July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Chicago
To find cheap Seattle to Chicago flights, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Seattle to Chicago across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Seattle to Chicago.
Save money on your Seattle to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Jet off from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and fly right through to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). If you're searching for a direct flight from Seattle to Chicago out of SEA, that's where your journey can take you.
These are some of the major carriers offering direct Seattle to Chicago plane tickets out of SEA:
The journey from central Seattle to SEA takes around 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Seattle to Chicago? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near Seattle / Tacoma International Airport:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport maintains a strong on-time performance, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from SEA land at their destination as scheduled 80% of the time.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes about 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Seattle to Chicago. Stay at one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Pick up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car and explore Chicago and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are leading providers you can book with here.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks ahead of your Seattle to Chicago flight.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is roughly 14 kilometres from central Chicago. After your flight from Seattle to Chicago, it takes approximately 25 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
You can expect the journey to take about 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Seattle to Chicago, rest your head at a hotel near MDW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Chicago Midway Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and be off and running.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from MDW four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
You can find Chicago Midway Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) is roughly 129 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to reach the city centre in a ride-share or taxi after your flight from Seattle to Chicago.
The journey takes around 2 hours when travelling by public transport.
Start your travels without stressing over how to reach your destination with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. You can book with trusted suppliers here like Budget, Alamo and National.
Rental agencies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so book your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Seattle to Chicago. A little planning can save you money.
The address for Chicago Rockford Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
July is the busiest month for flights from Seattle to Chicago. To escape the crowds, head to Chicago in March.
Before locking in your Seattle to Chicago tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC to 28ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Seattle to Chicago in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 3ºC on average.
More about Chicago
Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to Chicago, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Chicago has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of the United States just waiting to be explored. About 451 kilometres southeast of Chicago, a visit to Columbus will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Indianapolis is another favourite destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. No trip is complete without experiencing Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
