Flying from Chicago to Frankfurt: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the main airports in Chicago.
Step off your plane in Frankfurt at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN).
A direct flight from Chicago to Frankfurt takes on average 8 hours 26 minutes. The timezone in Frankfurt is UTC+1, making it 6 hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 39 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Chicago to Frankfurt is with Lufthansa at 23:35. Choose the first ORD to FRA departure operated by United Airlines at 15:05 to maximise your time in Frankfurt.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
You don't need a visa for Germany if you have a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before booking your cheap flights from Chicago to Frankfurt, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're after a direct flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, you can leave from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Travel from ORD to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) without any stops.
You can lock in a direct flight from Chicago to Frankfurt with United Airlines. This leading airline operates services from ORD.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes approximately 54 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a handy hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Split up your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick another place off your list. Popular stopovers between O'Hare International Airport and Frankfurt are:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in about 46 minutes. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 21 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
Arriving in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to the centre of Frankfurt takes around 21 minutes by car. It's approximately 14 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 37 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. Reserve one of these accommodation options near FRA instead:
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) is about 121 kilometres from the centre of Frankfurt. Once you've hopped off your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to HHN. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Frankfurt
At the moment, ج.م. 11,010 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Frankfurt. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 22,688. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 1 month before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from Chicago to Frankfurt.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Chicago to Frankfurt is September. 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. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from Chicago to Frankfurt every day.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Chicago to Frankfurt.
Best time to go to Frankfurt
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. July is the busiest month to visit Frankfurt. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Frankfurt is July, with the temperature ranging between 12ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your flights from Chicago to Frankfurt in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Frankfurt in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -4ºC and 7ºC on average.
More about Frankfurt
After booking your flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Frankfurt:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Palmengarten, Goethe House and Frankfurt Cathedral are must-visits when exploring Frankfurt.
Complete your Frankfurt trip with a car rental
Browse our lineup of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. Whether you're after a compact ride, family sedan or something more luxurious, you can easily compare companies in one go to get the best deal.
