Travelling from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll board your flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) are the main airports in Chicago.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB) are Kuala Lumpur's major entry points.
Kuala Lumpur's timezone is UTC+8, making Kuala Lumpur 14 hours ahead of Chicago.
To ensure you make your Chicago to Kuala Lumpur flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur
To find cheap Chicago to Kuala Lumpur flights, book ahead. Airlines generally offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Chicago to Kuala Lumpur flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Chicago to Kuala Lumpur flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
70% of flights that take off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
On public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 25 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur? Check in to a hotel near Chicago Midway Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Chicago Midway Airport has an on-time performance of 76%. This figure reflects how often flights that depart from this airport land on schedule.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is approximately 48 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 55 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 40 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near KUL:
Explore without limits with a Kuala Lumpur International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from ASIA CAR, Paradise or GoSoCar and venture far and wide through Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport around four weeks ahead of your departure.
Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB)
The centre of Kuala Lumpur is about 18 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB). Once your flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 30 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places to lay your head close to SZB. Settle in and get cosy after your Chicago to Kuala Lumpur flight at one of these well-located options:
Sixt, WAHDAH and Agtran make collecting a Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from SZB one week in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur, while July is the busiest. Find the ideal time to visit Kuala Lumpur based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Chicago to Kuala Lumpur tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Kuala Lumpur, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur in January when temperatures average between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Kuala Lumpur
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Kuala Lumpur, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Kuala Lumpur:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Petronas Twin Towers, Sky Terrace KL Tower and Warisan Merdeka Tower are major attractions which should feature on any good Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
