Flying from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN): What you need to know
Chicago is home to a couple of airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
The average time for a direct Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport flight is 8 hours 40 minutes.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located in Barcelona. The city is in the UTC+1 timezone and is six hours ahead of Chicago.
You can pick from 8 direct services a week between O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). This is the busiest route, with American Airlines offering a 6:40pm departure from ORD to BCN.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your flight from Chicago to BCN.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or other peak period, give yourself extra time. Arrive two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can jump on a direct flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
American Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport taking off from ORD.
The preferred choice for passengers flying between ORD and BCN is American Airlines.
We make it a piece of cake to book cheap flights from Chicago to BCN that include a stopover. To explore all the options departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers between ORD and BCN include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 55 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O'Hare International Airport, data shows 74.85% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Add another location to your travels or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, check out these options when heading out from Chicago Midway International Airport:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
You can arrive at MDW from central Chicago in approximately 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to cover the 19 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Chicago to BCN flight? Unwind in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your trip officially begins. These stays have a room with your name on it:
77.88% of flights departing Chicago Midway International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
The address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
You can book a plane ticket from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) out of Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) with a stopover. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a busy connecting point.
The journey time to RFD from the centre of Chicago is around 4 hours 15 minutes on public transport. If you're in a car, it'll take you roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to cover the 137 kilometres or so.
Make catching an early Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Book a room at one of these hotels close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and get to the check-in counter without rushing:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights arrive at their destinations within the expected time frame. At RFD, that figure is 76.19%.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near BCN instead:
Pick up a Barcelona-El Prat Airport rental car and explore Barcelona and beyond with your own wheels. Record Go, Goldcar and Nizacars Rent A Car are leading providers you can book with here.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle around four weeks ahead of your Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport flight.
Getting from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to central Barcelona
The centre of Barcelona is about 13 kilometres from Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Journey times by car hire or cab will vary based on time of day, so do some research ahead of your trip.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport is $231. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $499. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To snag cheap flights from Chicago to BCN, book your plane ticket four months before your planned departure.
The best month for picking up cheap Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport tickets is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Never miss a deal on plane tickets from Chicago to BCN by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when prices go down.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
It's time to decide when to book your flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). July is when most people visit Barcelona. If you like things a bit more low-key, go in February.
The warmest month in Barcelona is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF). Book your Chicago to BCN plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport in January when temperatures are between 5ºC (41ºF) and 14ºC (57ºF).
More about Barcelona
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Barcelona right here. Browse these options once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Barcelona-El Prat Airport:
There are so many things to discover in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Sagrada Familia, Vinalium Sagrada Familia and Placa de la Sagrada Familia are popular attractions which should feature on every Barcelona itinerary.
Explore more of Spain
Zaragoza is just one of the many places in Spain waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Barcelona. Around 241 kilometres away to the west, check out popular attractions including Plaza España, Plaza del Pilar and La Seo del Salvador.
Ibiza is another well-known destination in Spain and is around 274 kilometres south of Barcelona. No trip is complete without a visit to Platja d'en Bossa, Blue Ocean Ibiza and Playa de Ses Salines.
