Chicago to Orlando
Compare Chicago (ORD/MDW) to Orlando (MCO) airfare across United, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier, track fare trends on one of the busiest theme-park routes in the country, and land in Central Florida in about 2 hours 45 minutes.
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or request an offerRoute
CHI–ORL
Distance
1800 KM
Flight Time
2H 45M
Weekly Flights
130+
Fares From
$45
Carriers
UA · WN · NK · F9
Compare & Book
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Orlando — Compare Our Best Deals
With 130+ nonstop weekly departures across O’Hare and Midway, Chicago to Orlando is one of the busiest leisure routes in the country. Browse one-way fares from $45, round-trip fares from $79, and compare United’s O’Hare schedule against Southwest’s Midway service and the ultra-low-cost carriers.
CHI Chicago ✈ ORL Orlando
One Way
$45
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
CHI Chicago ✈ ORL Orlando
Round Trip
$79
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
Airlines with Flights from Chicago to Orlando
This route runs nonstop from both Chicago airports — O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) — giving travelers a wide spread of schedules and fare types to compare.
| Airline | Base / Hub | Weekly Departures | Flight Time | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub | ~40 nonstop | 2h 40m – 2h 55m | UA |
| Southwest Airlines | Chicago Midway (MDW) base | ~45 nonstop | 2h 45m | WN |
| Spirit Airlines | Orlando (MCO) base | ~28 nonstop | 2h 45m | NK |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver hub, MCO focus city | ~17 nonstop | 2h 50m | F9 |
Route Insights
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Orlando — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time
Data-backed insights on the CHI–ORL route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.
19
Daily Flights
Sept
Cheapest Month
2h 47m
Avg. Flight Duration
Mar
Peak Season
1,120 mi
Distance
100%
Nonstop Flights
What's the cheapest day to fly CHI → ORL?
Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Sunday climb as family theme-park travel peaks on the weekends.
What's the cheapest month to fly?
September, right after summer break ends, is typically the cheapest month to book, while March — spring break season — sees the steepest average prices.
Good To Know
Insights About Flying from Chicago to Orlando
Which is the high season to travel from Chicago to Orlando?
March is peak season, driven by spring break theme-park travel — expect higher fares and sold-out flights, especially on weekends.
Which is the low season to travel from Chicago to Orlando?
September is typically the low season, right after summer break ends and before the winter holiday rush begins.
How many daily flights are there between Chicago and Orlando?
There are roughly 19 nonstop flights per day combined across O’Hare and Midway, spread over United, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier.
Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?
Sunday is typically busiest, as families return home after a week at Orlando’s theme parks.
At what time does the last flight depart to Orlando?
The last nonstop flight typically departs Chicago between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on the carrier and airport.
At what time does the earliest flight depart from Chicago?
The earliest nonstop departure leaves Chicago around 6:00 AM, landing in Orlando in time for an afternoon at the parks.
What share of travelers are visiting theme parks?
An estimated 55% of Chicago–Orlando flyers are traveling for Walt Disney World, Universal, or another Central Florida theme park — among the highest leisure shares of any U.S. route.
What percentage of travelers booked business class?
Around 5% of travelers book a premium cabin on this route, reflecting its strong leisure and family-travel base.
Why Orlando
Why Fly to Orlando from Chicago?
Orlando is the theme-park capital of the world, anchored by Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, with year-round sunshine and family-friendly resorts.
01
Walt Disney World
Four theme parks and two water parks make Disney World the single biggest driver of Chicago–Orlando travel, with new attractions opening most years.
02
Universal Orlando Resort
Home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Epic Universe, Universal has become a genuine rival to Disney for multi-day park trips.
03
International Drive
Orlando’s tourist corridor packs mini-golf, dinner shows, outlet malls, and the ICON Park observation wheel into one walkable stretch.
04
Kennedy Space Center
About an hour east of Orlando, the real NASA launch site offers rocket exhibits and, occasionally, a live launch viewing.
05
Central Florida Springs
Crystal-clear natural springs like Wekiwa and Blue Spring offer a quieter, nature-focused alternative to the theme parks, all within a short drive.
06
Year-Round Warm Weather
With average highs in the 70s and 80s most of the year, Orlando is a reliable escape from Chicago winters.
— Airport Guide
CHI & ORL — Quick Facts
Chicago O'Hare Intl
ICAO Code
KORD
Distance to Downtown Chicago
~27 km NW
Terminals
4
Alternate Airport
Midway (MDW), Southwest’s Chicago base
Transit to Downtown
~45 min, CTA Blue Line
Time Zone
Central (CT)
Orlando International
ICAO Code
KMCO
Distance to Downtown Ft. Lauderdale
~5 km SW
Terminals
4
Also Serves
Port Everglades cruise port
Taxi to Downtown
~10–15 min
Time Zone
Eastern (ET)
— Save More
How to Find the Cheapest Chicago–Orlando Fares
01
Book 4–6 Weeks Ahead
Fares on this family-travel-heavy route climb fast around school breaks — book a month or more out for the best price.
02
Fly Tuesday or Wednesday
Midweek departures are consistently cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights, especially during peak theme-park seasons.
03
Compare O'Hare and Midway
Southwest’s Midway fares and United’s O’Hare fares can differ significantly — check both airports before booking.
04
Avoid Spring Break and Summer Peaks
March and June through August see the highest average fares as school-break travel peaks — shoulder months run noticeably cheaper.
05
Set a Fare Alert
This high-frequency, price-sensitive route shifts often — an alert catches a fare drop the moment it posts.
06
Bundle Flight + Park Tickets
Package deals combining airfare with Disney or Universal tickets can undercut booking each piece separately, especially in shoulder season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim for 4–6 weeks out, and book even earlier around spring break, summer, and winter holidays when fares rise sharply.
Yes, United, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier all operate this route nonstop from Chicago, with a typical flight time of about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Southwest flies exclusively from Midway, while United, Spirit, and Frontier primarily use O'Hare — compare fares at both since prices can differ notably.
Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. United's standard fares and Southwest offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.
Book 4–6 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare both Chicago airports, and avoid spring break and summer peaks if your dates are flexible.
Yes — MCO sits within a 20–35 minute drive of Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, making it a convenient single-airport hub for a theme-park trip.
The Complete Guide
Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Chicago to Orlando
What to Expect
One of the Busiest Leisure Routes in the U.S.
At roughly 1,120 miles, Chicago to Orlando is a well-served nonstop with nearly 20 daily departures across two Chicago airports. It’s dominated by family theme-park travel, especially around school breaks.
Budget Tips
What You'll Actually Pay
One-way fares typically start around $45 and round-trips from $79, though prices climb sharply during spring break and summer. Comparing O’Hare and Midway departures usually finds the real best deal.
Booking Advice
Read the Fare Rules First
Ultra-low base fares on Spirit and Frontier often exclude checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection — a real factor for families packing for a theme-park trip. Tally those extras before comparing against United or Southwest.
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