Travelling from Chicago to Vancouver: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Chicago. Explore your options departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) when planning your flight from Chicago to Vancouver.
Disembark at one of Vancouver's major gateways like Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Alternatively, arrive at this city landing at Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH) or Abbotsford Airport (YXX).
The average time for a direct Chicago to Vancouver flight is 4 hours 40 minutes.
Vancouver is two hours behind Chicago and is in the UTC-8 timezone.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 23 weekly flights to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Chicago to Vancouver is with American Airlines at 20:15. Choose the first ORD to YVR departure operated by United Airlines at 08:48 to make the most of your first day in Vancouver.
Leave plenty of time to catch your Chicago to Vancouver flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Vancouver
Book 11 months before travelling. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Chicago to Vancouver flights.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on plane tickets from Chicago to Vancouver. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Vancouver by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Lock in a cheap Chicago to Vancouver flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Vancouver. From ORD, you can land directly at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Leading carriers that offer direct Chicago to Vancouver plane tickets departing from ORD include:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for Chicago to Vancouver flights leaving from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Minneapolis St Paul Airport (MSP)
Calgary Airport (YYC)
ORD is about 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
After a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Vancouver or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Of the flights that depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 70% land on time at their destination.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Split up your Chicago to Vancouver flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some great stopovers between Chicago Midway Airport and Vancouver include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Minneapolis St Paul Airport (MSP)
You can get to MDW from central Chicago in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Chicago Midway Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Vancouver:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Chicago Midway Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76%.
The address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The distance from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to central Vancouver is roughly 10 kilometres. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport will take you around 25 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Vancouver, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near YVR:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Vancouver International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Thrifty or Avis and venture far and wide through Vancouver and beyond.
Get the best deal by booking your ride from Vancouver International Airport about one week in advance of your trip.
Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH)
As soon as your flight from Chicago to Vancouver has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is approximately 3 kilometres from Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 10 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near CXH. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Chicago to Vancouver:
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from CXH a few weeks in advance so you can just grab the keys and get going.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
Hop off your flight from Chicago to Vancouver and head straight for your hotel or start sightseeing right away. The centre of Vancouver is around 64 kilometres from Abbotsford Airport (YXX) and usually takes 1 hour 20 minutes to reach by car.
If you travel by public transport, the journey time is around 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, head for a hotel near YXX. Check in to one of these options after your Chicago to Vancouver flight:
Whether you want a compact for solo travel or a spacious SUV to transport your group, you'll find the right Abbotsford Airport rental car for you. Browse the types of wheels available here from providers such as Hertz, Thrifty and Enterprise.
Around one week before your flight from Chicago to Vancouver is the ideal time to secure your ride from YXX. You're more likely to find a cheaper rate or get access to early bird discounts.
Best time to go to Vancouver
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Vancouver, while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Vancouver based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Vancouver is August, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Book your Chicago to Vancouver ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
February sees average temperatures of between -2ºC (28ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Vancouver around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Vancouver
Start your Vancouver trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Vancouver, browse our range of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Stanley Park Seawall, Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver are attractions you won't want to skip in Vancouver.
Explore more of Canada
You've seen Vancouver, now it's time to explore other parts of Canada. Journey about 27 kilometres southeast to Surrey to check off its top attractions. From Green Timbers Urban Forest Park to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Civic Theatres at Surrey Arts Centre, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Victoria is another favourite destination in Canada and is around 97 kilometres south of Vancouver. No trip is complete without seeing Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada, St. Andrew's Cathedral and Craigdarroch Castle.