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$74+ Cheap flights from Columbus (CMH) 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 9/30. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CMH — CHI
Aug 5 — Aug 121
Tue 8/5
Tue 8/12
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Columbus to Chicago are usually found in August or September, booked 88 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Friday and return on a Saturday

Cheap flight deals from Columbus to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Columbus (CMH) 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 July 31, 2025.

Round-trip from

$129
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$74
(Southwest)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$324

Good round-trip deal

$189 or less

Good one-way deal

$183 or less
From Columbus to Chicago (CHI)
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One-way flight from Columbus to Chicago (CHI)
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High demand for flights, 1% potential price rise
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 0% potential price decrease ($3 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Columbus to Chicago (CHI).
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Columbus to Chicago (CHI).
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Find 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 July 31, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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.
Sat 9/136:50 amCMH - ORD
Nonstop1h 29mAmerican Airlines
Sat 9/209:06 pmORD - CMH
Nonstop1h 20mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/30$129
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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.
Wed 8/277:35 pmCMH - MDW
1 stop3h 50mSouthwest
Wed 9/36:10 pmMDW - CMH
Nonstop1h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 7/30$137
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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.
Wed 8/206:35 amCMH - ORD
1 stop7h 10mSouthwest
Wed 8/201:50 pmORD - CMH
1 stop6h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 7/30$147
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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 FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 9/89:38 pmCMH - ORD
1 stop20h 13mSpirit Airlines
Wed 9/1011:13 amORD - CMH
1 stop19h 16mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 7/29$171
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 8/3010:36 amCMH - MDW
1 stop2h 52mDelta
Sat 8/306:17 pmMDW - CMH
1 stop4h 01mDelta
Deal found 7/29$177
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 9/134:26 pmCMH - ORD
1 stop6h 04mDelta
Sat 9/207:10 amORD - CMH
1 stop3h 14mDelta
Deal found 7/30$177
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/159:22 amCMH - MDW
1 stop6h 44mFrontier
Sat 8/169:12 pmMDW - CMH
1 stop15h 58mFrontier
Deal found 7/29$197
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/287:00 amCMH - ORD
Nonstop1h 28mUnited Airlines
Sat 8/306:10 pmORD - CMH
Nonstop1h 28mUnited Airlines
Deal found 7/31$215
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 10/175:17 pmCMH - ORD
1 stop7h 53mFrontier
Sun 10/196:00 amORD - CMH
1 stop10h 37mFrontier
Deal found 7/31$218

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 July 31, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Columbus Airport to Chicago that are best for you.

Fly from

Columbus

Fly to

Chicago

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Sat 9/13

6:50 am-7:19 am

Nonstop1h 29m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/20

9:06 pm-11:26 pm

Nonstop1h 20m

$129

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Wed 8/27

7:35 pm-10:25 pm

1 stop3h 50m

Chicago Midway

Wed 9/3

6:10 pm-8:30 pm

Nonstop1h 20m

$137

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Wed 8/20

6:35 am-12:45 pm

1 stop7h 10m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 8/20

1:50 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop6h 00m

$147

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Mon 9/8

9:38 pm-4:51 pm

1 stop20h 13m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 9/10

11:13 am-7:29 am

1 stop19h 16m

$171

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Sat 8/30

10:36 am-12:28 pm

1 stop2h 52m

Chicago Midway

Sat 8/30

6:17 pm-11:18 pm

1 stop4h 01m

$177

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Sat 9/13

11:00 am-4:31 pm

1 stop6h 31m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/20

7:20 am-12:29 pm

1 stop4h 09m

$177

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Fri 8/15

9:22 am-3:06 pm

1 stop6h 44m

Chicago Midway

Sat 8/16

9:12 pm-2:10 pm

1 stop15h 58m

$197

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Thu 8/28

7:00 am-7:28 am

Nonstop1h 28m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 8/30

6:10 pm-8:38 pm

Nonstop1h 28m

$215

ColumbusChicago

CMH - ORD

CMHORD

Columbus

Fri 10/17

5:17 pm-12:10 am

1 stop7h 53m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 10/19

6:00 am-5:37 pm

1 stop10h 37m

$218

ColumbusChicago

CMH - MDW

CMHMDW

Columbus

Tue 9/30

11:35 am-4:25 pm

1 stop5h 50m

$74

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/31

Showing 1-10 of 20 results
1
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The best insider tips for Columbus Airport to Chicago flights

Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of Cheapflights-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
Cheapflights partnered with top experts to bring you the best recommendations for your Columbus Airport to Chicago trip
Airlines
Lufthansa

Economy Flex includes preferred seating and allows earlier flights on the same day.


Lufthansa offers a Free Neighbor Seat option for extra space on long-haul flights.

Read more about Lufthansaby Blane Bachelor
Southwest

Southwest allows two free checked bags, including oversized items like skis.


Early Bird check-in provides priority boarding by checking you in 36 hours before departure.

Read more about Southwestby Marisa Garcia
United Airlines

Basic Economy allows a personal item only, no carry-on bags unless exceptions apply.


Economy Plus offers extra legroom seats towards the front of the economy cabin.

Read more about United Airlinesby Harriet Baskas
Our travel experts
Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on Lufthansa

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Read more
Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Expert on Southwest

Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Marisa knows planes inside and out, spending 16 years working on aircraft in hangars at airports around the world. She is an aviation industry expert, specialized in airline interiors and regulations. Ten years ago, she pivoted to journalism. She shares her insights in leading aviation, travel, and business publications and on her site FlightChic.

Read more
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on United Airlines

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Read more

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 Airport to Chicago

How far ahead should I book a flight from Columbus Airport 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 July 25, 2025.

The price you pay for your flight from Columbus Airport to Chicago may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 88 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

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

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Columbus Airport to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Columbus Airport to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). 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 July 31, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Columbus Airport to Chicago in the morning. By choosing this option you can save up to 48% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight at noon.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Columbus to Chicago. Price data was last updated on July 27, 2025.

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

Weekly flight availability from Columbus Airport 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 July 31, 2025.

The most flights from CMH to CHI are scheduled on a Thursday (63 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (22 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 July 31, 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Columbus Airport to Chicago to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,981 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,900 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Sun Country Air
6.9
Okay
334 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,246 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.

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.

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

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Columbus Airport to Chicago round-trip from $129. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are Southwest, from $137, and United Airlines, from $155. You may be able to fly from Columbus Airport to Chicago for 56% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Southwest, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $74. Spirit Airlines flights start at $85 while deals on Delta start at $89 one-way.

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

    The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Columbus Airport to Chicago are Cathay Pacific (85%), Copa Airlines (84%) and ANA (84%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Columbus Airport to Chicago?

    On average you can expect to pay $1,815 for a flight from Columbus Airport to Chicago. The cheapest flight overall is $85 while the most popular route, (Columbus - Chicago O'Hare Intl) is currently priced at $127.

  • 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 Airport to Chicago?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Columbus Airport to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Columbus Airport to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). 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
Merrillville
Lansing
Hammond
Benton Harbor
Porter
Valparaiso
Chesterton

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Alternative routes for Columbus to Chicago

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Columbus to O'Hare Intl flights
Columbus to Midway flights
Columbus to St. Louis flights
Columbus to Champaign flights

Top 4 airlines flying from Columbus to Chicago

Discover the top 4 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 July 31, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$156Average$316FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$178Average$336FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
Spirit AirlinesCheapest$179Average$359FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time65%
SouthwestCheapest$180Average$298FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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