Chicago

$40+ Cheap flights from Columbus to Chicago (CHI)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 3/21. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CMH — CHI
Mar 5 — Mar 121
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Columbus to Chicago with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Columbus to Chicago are usually found in August or September, booked 71 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Friday and return on a Saturday

Cheap flight deals from Columbus to Chicago

Cheapest flights from Columbus to Chicago
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Columbus to Chicago. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on February 3, 2026.

This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 4/203:30 pm
CMH
-
MDW
Nonstop1h 20m
Southwest
Wed 4/226:20 pm
MDW
-
CMH
Nonstop1h 15m
Southwest
Deal found 2/2$144
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 5/126:00 am
CMH
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 48m
American Airlines
Thu 5/1411:45 am
ORD
-
CMH
Nonstop1h 27m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/2$144
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 2/2010:54 am
CMH
-
MDW
1 stop7h 59m
Frontier
Sun 2/226:00 am
MDW
-
CMH
1 stop27h 34m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$146
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 3/311:39 am
CMH
-
ORD
2 stops24h 12m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 3/106:36 pm
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop15h 08m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/1$146
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 2/2211:17 am
CMH
-
MDW
1 stop12h 08m
Frontier
Thu 2/265:16 pm
MDW
-
CMH
1 stop16h 16m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$150
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 3/37:37 pm
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop21h 15m
Frontier
Tue 3/104:18 pm
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop17h 26m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$151
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/31. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 3/152:51 pm
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop8h 48m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 3/176:36 pm
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop14h 05m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 1/31$152
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/912:03 pm
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop11h 43m
Frontier
Sun 2/225:05 am
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop28h 29m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$153
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 4/205:00 pm
CMH
-
MDW
1 stop6h 20m
Southwest
Tue 4/218:00 am
MDW
-
CMH
Nonstop1h 15m
Southwest
Deal found 2/2$154
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/912:03 pm
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop11h 43m
Frontier
Sat 2/214:42 pm
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop16h 50m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$154
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/31. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/211:19 am
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop24h 32m
Frontier
Mon 3/99:05 pm
ORD
-
CMH
2 stops13h 37m
Frontier
Deal found 1/31$156
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/912:03 pm
CMH
-
ORD
1 stop11h 43m
Multiple Airlines
Tue 2/248:16 pm
ORD
-
CMH
1 stop13h 28m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/1$157

Find flight deals from Columbus to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Columbus (C01) to Chicago (CHI). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

Round-trip from

$144
(Southwest)

One-way from

$40
(Southwest)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$298
From Columbus to Chicago (CHI)
One-way flight from Columbus to Chicago (CHI)
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 5% potential increase in price ($18 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($3 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in February 2026

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Columbus to Chicago that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated February 3, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Columbus to Chicago that are best for you.

Fly from

Columbus

Fly to

Chicago

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Mon 4/20

3:30 pm-3:50 pm

Nonstop1h 20m

Chicago Midway

Tue 4/21

6:20 pm-8:35 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

$144

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Tue 2/17

6:15 am-7:07 pm

2 stops13h 52m

Chicago Midway

Thu 2/19

12:22 pm-9:59 am

1 stop20h 37m

$177

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Wed 4/15

6:06 am-9:56 am

1 stop4h 50m

Chicago Midway

Sat 4/18

9:27 am-1:27 pm

1 stop3h 00m

$191

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Tue 4/7

6:35 am-1:17 pm

2 stops7h 42m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 4/9

9:50 am-5:07 pm

1 stop6h 17m

$196

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Thu 4/23

8:00 pm-8:15 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

Chicago Midway

Mon 4/27

6:45 pm-9:00 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

$201

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Thu 4/23

6:06 am-12:43 pm

2 stops7h 37m

Chicago Midway

Mon 4/27

2:12 pm-12:05 am

2 stops8h 53m

$202

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Sun 4/19

6:00 pm-6:15 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

Chicago Midway

Tue 4/21

6:20 pm-8:35 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

$217

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Tue 3/3

9:05 am-9:39 am

Nonstop1h 34m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 3/10

2:20 pm-4:46 pm

Nonstop1h 26m

$231

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Fri 4/17

6:25 am-10:09 am

1 stop4h 44m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 4/25

5:10 am-11:38 am

1 stop5h 28m

$234

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Thu 4/23

8:05 am-12:45 pm

1 stop5h 40m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 4/24

5:04 pm-9:04 pm

1 stop3h 00m

$234

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/2

Showing 1-10 of 31 results
1
2
3
4

Best time to book a flight from Columbus to Chicago

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Chicago from Columbus with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Columbus to Chicago

How far ahead should I book a flight from Columbus to Chicago?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Columbus to Chicago. Price data was last updated on January 30, 2026.

The best time to book flights from Columbus to Chicago is 71 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Columbus to Chicago?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Columbus to Chicago (average of $106). Flying from Columbus to Chicago in April is currently the most expensive (average of $184). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from CMH to CHI?

Find hourly flight availability from Columbus to Chicago. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

It’s optimal to fly from Columbus to Chicago in the morning. By choosing this option you can save up to 30% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Columbus to Chicago?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Columbus to Chicago. Price data was last updated on January 31, 2026.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Columbus to Chicago flight should consider departing on Tuesday at noon when fares are most often at their lowest. Saturday at noon flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Columbus to Chicago

Explore weekly flight availability from Columbus to Chicago. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

The most flights from C01 to CHI are scheduled on a Monday (47 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (32 on average).

Reviews of airlines servicing Chicago

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Chicago. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Chicago. Reviews last updated February 3, 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines from Columbus to Chicago by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Columbus to Chicago. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • How long is the flight from Columbus to Chicago?

    Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines can get you from Columbus to Chicago in just under 1h 20m. Your travel time can differ by up to 6h 22m. The distance between Columbus and Chicago is about 282 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Columbus to Chicago round-trip?

    According to our current data, Spirit Airlines ($90), Frontier ($143), and Southwest ($155) offers the cheapest pricing from Columbus to Chicago. Spirit Airlines is priced at 68% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Columbus to Chicago one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Columbus to Chicago are American Airlines ($68), Frontier ($78), and United Airlines ($108).

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Columbus to Chicago?

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from Columbus to Chicago on time: Royal Jordanian (82%), Republic Airways (79%), Qatar Airways (74%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Columbus to Chicago?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Columbus to Chicago? While on average our users pay $986, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $147. The most popular route (Columbus - Chicago O'Hare Intl), is priced around $153.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Columbus to Chicago that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Columbus to Chicago flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Columbus to Chicago?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Columbus to Chicago.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Columbus to Chicago?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Columbus to Chicago by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Columbus to Chicago?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Columbus to Chicago (average of $106). Flying from Columbus to Chicago in April is currently the most expensive (average of $184). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Book flights to Chicago if you plan to visit one of these locations
Lansing
Merrillville
Hammond
Porter
Benton Harbor

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Columbus to Chicago

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Top 5 airlines flying from Columbus to Chicago

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from Columbus to Chicago. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated February 3, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Spirit AirlinesCheapest$90Average$231FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time65%
FrontierCheapest$143Average$215FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
SouthwestCheapest$155Average$330FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$155Average$302FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$164Average$305FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.