Travelling from Chicago to London: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your journey from in Chicago. Explore your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when booking your flight from Chicago to London.
Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). You can also disembark at London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) in London.
7 hours 53 minutes is the average journey time for a direct flight from Chicago to London. Following the UTC+0 timezone, London is 5 hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 89 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to London is with American Airlines at 23:05. Opt for the first ORD to LHR departure with American Airlines at 08:10 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chicago to London, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying over a peak time like August? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you have a passport from United States and plan to travel to United Kingdom for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, visa and entry requirements may differ based on your reason for visiting and can be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, contact your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before reserving a cheap flight from Chicago to London.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Chicago to London, you can catch one from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Travel from ORD to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) without any stops.
Pick from a variety of airlines offering direct flights from Chicago to London leaving from ORD. Book your seat with one of these:
We make it simple to book a flight from Chicago to London with a stopover. To see all your options departing from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 54 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Need a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to London, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Chicago to London, here's where you can stop when setting off from O'Hare International Airport:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
On public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 46 minutes. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 21 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not book another night away? Consider staying at one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to London:
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is approximately 31 kilometres. It takes about 57 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 1 minute.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to London, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near LHR:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is approximately 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). As soon as your flight from Chicago to London has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 1 hour and 19 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take around 1 hour and 26 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to London, kick back at a hotel near LGW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to London
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to London is P11,618. For a return flight on this route, the best price is P26,195. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To snag cheap tickets from Chicago to London, book your trip 3 months before the departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to London is November. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from searching for cheap tickets from Chicago to London every day.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Chicago to London.
Best time to go to London
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to London. July is the busiest month to travel to London. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in February.
Lock in your flight from Chicago to London for July if you'd like to head to the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in London to range from 11ºC to 26ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Chicago to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Chicago to London:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are popular attractions which should feature on every London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Chicago to London to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in London, from the most popular car rental to the best time to book.