International route
Cheap flights from Chicago to Ottawa
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). 653 miles, 1h 45m nonstop.
ORD to YOW at a glance
Computed from airline schedules and the fares we track for this route. Refreshed several times a day.
- Distance
- 653 milesgreat-circle
- Typical flight time
- 1h 45mnonstop, gate to gate
- Nonstop airlines
- AAUA2 airlinesAmerican, United
- Nonstop flights per day
- 2all airlines combined
- Cheapest month
- January 2027over the next six months
- Best day to fly
- Wednesday19% less than Sunday
- Time difference
- 1h aheadOttawa vs Chicago
Chicago to Ottawa
Round trips from $104
Per traveler, taxes and fees included. Lowest fare we found departs Wed, Jan 6.
Cheapest month: January 2027
See fares on these datesLock any fare free — pay only when you accept your last-minute deal
Or ask an agent on WhatsAppChicago to Ottawa fares by month
Lowest round-trip economy fare per traveler in each of the next six months, taxes and fees included. Select a month to search that date.
Airlines flying Chicago to Ottawa
2 airlines fly nonstop with 2 departures a day combined, plus 2 more with one stop.
Connecting options
Hubs where one airline can carry you on both legs, most choices first.
- Cleveland (CLE)F91 airline
- Toronto (YYZ)WS1 airline
Which airport should I use?
Chicago has 2 airports. Fares can differ by $50 to $150 round trip between them, so check the alternatives before you book.
Other departure airports near Chicago
Tips for this route
- Only American and United fly this route nonstop, which keeps nonstop fares firm. A one-stop itinerary through CLE or YYZ is usually cheaper if you can spare the extra three to five hours.
- January 2027 is the cheapest month to fly over the next six months, with round trips from $104; September 2026 is the most expensive at $144 and up, a difference of $40 per traveler.
- Departing on a Wednesday averages 19% less than a Sunday on this route. If your dates are flexible, shift the outbound by a day or two and check the calendar view before you book.
- Book 6 to 12 weeks ahead; fares climb in the last three weeks and around holidays.
Destination guide
Ottawa: Canada's capital, and the world's largest skating rink
Ottawa is a compact capital with free national museums, Parliament Hill above the river, and a canal that freezes into a 4.8-mile skateway every winter. Gatineau and the Quebec hills are ten minutes across the bridge.
Best time to visit: May for the tulip festival, June to September for warm weather and Canada Day on 1 July. February for Winterlude and the canal skateway, when it is cold enough to freeze — which is not guaranteed every year.
Flying the other way? Ottawa to ChicagoFares, airlines and tips for YOW to ORD.Ready to compare live fares?
See every airline on ORD–YOW side by side with bags and seat rules spelled out.
Search Chicago to OttawaChicago to Ottawa: common questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Ottawa?
A nonstop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Ottawa (YOW) takes about 1h 45m gate to gate, covering 653 miles. Connecting itineraries add the layover, typically 2 to 5 hours more in total.
Which airlines fly nonstop from ORD to YOW?
American Airlines and United Airlines operate nonstop flights from Chicago (ORD) to Ottawa (YOW), with 2 nonstop departures a day between them. One-stop options connect through CLE and YYZ.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Ottawa?
Over the next six months, January 2027 has the lowest round-trip fares from Chicago (ORD) to Ottawa (YOW), starting at $104 per traveler including taxes and fees. Within any month, Wednesday departures average the lowest prices.
How far in advance should I book Chicago to Ottawa flights?
Book 6 to 12 weeks ahead; fares climb in the last three weeks and around holidays. Air1 Tickets includes free cancellation within 24 hours of booking on every fare, so you can lock in a good price and keep looking.
What is the time difference between Chicago and Ottawa?
Ottawa is 1 hour ahead of Chicago. ORD is on America/Chicago time and YOW on America/Toronto time. Departure and arrival times in search results are always shown in local time at each airport.
Related routes
Other popular city pairs from the same departure city and to the same destination, with the lowest round-trip fares we found.