Flying from Toronto to Chicago: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from Toronto to Chicago. Check out your options for departing Toronto from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto Island Airport (YTZ) and John C. Munro Hamilton Airport (YHM).
Hop off your plane in Chicago at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
The average time for a direct Toronto to Chicago flight is 1 hour 55 minutes.
Chicago is one hour behind Toronto and is in the UTC-6 timezone.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 121 weekly departures to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Toronto to Chicago is with United Airlines at 21:00. Opt for the first YYZ to ORD departure with American Airlines at 06:15 to make the most of your arrival in Chicago.
Leave plenty of time to catch your Toronto to Chicago flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Chicago
To pick up cheap Toronto to Chicago flights, book as early as possible. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Toronto to Chicago.
Finding a cheap flight from Toronto to Chicago is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a better deal is available.
Save on your Toronto to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Toronto
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Set out from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on a nonstop flight from Toronto to Chicago. From YYZ, you can land directly at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Leading airlines that offer direct Toronto to Chicago plane tickets from YYZ include:
Travelling from central Toronto to YYZ takes around 25 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Toronto Pearson International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Toronto to Chicago or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Toronto Pearson International Airport, data shows 68% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Toronto Island Airport (YTZ)
Thinking of taking off from Toronto Island Airport (YTZ)? You can take a direct flight from Toronto to Chicago out of this hub. Land at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and skip the connections.
Air Canada offers direct Toronto to Chicago plane tickets from YTZ. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and get to your destination in one go.
Using public transport, you can travel from central Toronto to YTZ in around 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 3 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 10 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Toronto to Chicago, kick back in one of these hotels near Toronto Island Airport:
Toronto Island Airport has an on-time performance rate of 70%. This figure highlights how often flights that leave from this airport land at their destination on schedule.
John C. Munro Hamilton Airport (YHM)
YHM is around 72 kilometres from central Toronto. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. If you're considering public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 50 minutes.
Arrive at John C. Munro Hamilton Airport on the day of your departure without the last-minute scramble. If you're catching an early Toronto to Chicago flight, Super 8 by Wyndham Mt Hope Hamilton Intl Arpt on and Homestead House Bed & Breakfast make getting to the terminal the easiest part of your trip.
The on-time performance rating of YHM is 68%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights departing this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 26 kilometres. It'll take you around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Toronto to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and venture far and wide through Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your vehicle from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks in advance of your trip.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Once your flight from Toronto to Chicago has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 25 minutes by car. Central Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 30 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near MDW. Kick back after your Toronto to Chicago flight at one of these well-located options:
Dollar, Hertz and Budget make collecting a Chicago Midway Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from MDW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
You can find Chicago Midway Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) is around 129 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. It'll take you about 1 hour 40 minutes to get to the city centre by taxi or ride-share once you've hopped off your flight from Toronto to Chicago.
Public transport can take you there in roughly 2 hours.
Take control of the next leg of your trip with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. Budget, Alamo and National make getting on the road effortless.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Toronto to Chicago is a smart move. Along with better prices, you'll have a wider selection of vehicle makes and models at RFD.
The street address for Chicago Rockford Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
July is the most popular month for flights from Toronto to Chicago. To escape the crowds, head to Chicago in March.
Lock in a Toronto to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 16ºC to 28ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Toronto 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
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Toronto to Chicago, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to add to your Chicago itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Willis Tower.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Chicago, now it's time to explore more of the United States. Journey about 451 kilometres southeast to Columbus to check off its top sights. From Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in the United States, consider Indianapolis, roughly 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago. Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis are among the biggest draws.
