International route
Cheap flights from Ottawa to Chicago
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). 653 miles, 1h 45m nonstop.
YOW to ORD 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
- Tuesday20% less than Sunday
- Time difference
- 1h behindChicago vs Ottawa
Ottawa to Chicago
Round trips from $103
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 WhatsAppOttawa to Chicago 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 Ottawa to Chicago
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?
OttawaChicago has 2 airports. Fares can differ by $50 to $150 round trip between them, so check the alternatives before you book.
Other arrival 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 $103; September 2026 is the most expensive at $135 and up, a difference of $32 per traveler.
- Departing on a Tuesday averages 20% 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
Chicago: Big-shoulders architecture and a lakefront for everyone
Chicago is America's most connected inland hub — O'Hare and Midway between them have nonstops from nearly every US city — so fares are consistently reasonable. The lakefront, the architecture and the food make it a strong long weekend.
Best time to visit: June–September is warm, with festivals almost every weekend (and the highest hotel rates). May and October are cool and cheaper; winter is cold but hotels are a bargain.
Flying the other way? Chicago to OttawaFares, airlines and tips for ORD to YOW.Ready to compare live fares?
See every airline on YOW–ORD side by side with bags and seat rules spelled out.
Search Ottawa to ChicagoOttawa to Chicago: common questions
How long is the flight from Ottawa to Chicago?
A nonstop flight from Ottawa (YOW) to Chicago (ORD) 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 YOW to ORD?
American Airlines and United Airlines operate nonstop flights from Ottawa (YOW) to Chicago (ORD), with 2 nonstop departures a day between them. One-stop options connect through CLE and YYZ.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Ottawa to Chicago?
Over the next six months, January 2027 has the lowest round-trip fares from Ottawa (YOW) to Chicago (ORD), starting at $103 per traveler including taxes and fees. Within any month, Tuesday departures average the lowest prices.
How far in advance should I book Ottawa to Chicago 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 Ottawa and Chicago?
Chicago is 1 hour behind Ottawa. YOW is on America/Toronto time and ORD on America/Chicago 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.