Traveling from Frankfurt to Chicago: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Frankfurt. Check out your options leaving from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) when booking your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago.
When it comes to choosing where to land in Chicago, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the chief entry points.
Around 9 hours 20 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Frankfurt to Chicago flight.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which is six hours behind Frankfurt.
The busiest route for flights from Frankfurt to Chicago is from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). You can select from 27 services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from FRA to ORD is the 08:40 United Airlines option. If you prefer traveling later, the latest available service is at 17:20 with Lufthansa.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as April. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Chicago
Book two months before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Frankfurt to Chicago flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Frankfurt to Chicago is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Getting a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Frankfurt to Chicago flights.
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
You can book a direct flight from Frankfurt to Chicago leaving from Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Begin your trip at FRA and end it at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Keep an eye out for deals with Lufthansa. This airline offers direct Frankfurt to Chicago plane tickets out of FRA.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Frankfurt Airport. Take a break from traveling at one of these airports:
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Located around 11 kilometers from central Frankfurt, FRA can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to Frankfurt Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
67.47% of flights departing from Frankfurt Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Get the most out of your vacation with a stopover on your Frankfurt to Chicago flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Frankfurt - Hahn Airport and Chicago:
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
HHN is around 105 kilometers from central Frankfurt. It'll take 1 hour 30 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 40 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago? Check in to a hotel near Frankfurt - Hahn Airport before your break officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
53.13% of all departures from Frankfurt - Hahn Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 26 kilometers. It'll take you about 35 minutes to reach the center driving.
Getting to the center on public transport typically takes 55 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. Book one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Pick up an O'Hare International Airport rental car and discover Chicago and beyond with your own wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are top providers you can book with here.
Reserving your ride from O'Hare International Airport about four weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
ORD is situated at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is roughly 14 kilometers from central Chicago. After your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you hop on public transport, the journey will take you 45 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to MDW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or long cab queues. Pick up a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare availability and rates from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from MDW four weeks in advance often means better prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
You can find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago and go directly to your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. Central Chicago is around 129 kilometers from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and usually takes 1 hour 25 minutes to reach driving.
If you're traveling on public transport, the journey takes about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Begin your travels without worrying about how to reach your next stop with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. Find your perfect set of wheels with trusted names here like Budget, Alamo and National.
Rental providers sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so book your vehicle from RFD ahead of your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago. A bit of planning goes a long way in savings.
The street address for Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the most popular month for flights from Frankfurt to Chicago. To avoid the crowds, visit Chicago in January.
Book a Frankfurt to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
If you like traveling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Chicago
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Chicago right here. Browse these options once you've booked your flight from Frankfurt to Chicago:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are must-visits when exploring Chicago.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Chicago. Around 451 kilometers to the south-east, top sights here include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another standout destination in United States and is around 257 kilometers south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without a visit to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.
