Travelling from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): what you need to know
Begin your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) jetting off from either of these.
Approximately 4 hours 28 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport.
Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Chicago. Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles, which operates on the UTC-7 timezone.
The busiest route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with 165 direct services every week. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ORD to LAX is the 05:00 Southwest Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 23:05 with Spirit Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to make your flight from Chicago to LAX. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're going away during a popular month like August, get to the terminal even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Security lines will be longer during high seasons like summer, Christmas and New Year.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can take a direct flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport departing from ORD. Book your ticket with one of these:
ORD is approximately 40 kilometres from central Chicago. To help you work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful travel app will give you the quickest route and your public transport options.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Want other options for a direct flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)? Check out the fares departing from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from Chicago to LAX leaving from MDW include:
You can arrive at MDW from central Chicago in about 21 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 46 minutes to travel the 19 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to LAX:
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport to central Los Angeles takes about 32 minutes by car. It's approximately 32 kilometres away. Find out what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 54 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Pick up a one-way ticket from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport from $92 or travel return from just $187. Prices are accurate at the time of listing and may change based on availability when you book.
Book 8 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find flight tickets from Chicago to LAX.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport. If you want to travel during a different time of year, use the 'Whole month' search feature to see the lowest prices for each month.
Set up a Price Alert and track any changes on this route through email or push notifications. We'll let you know when fares go down. Timing is key when finding flight tickets from Chicago to LAX.
Customise your journey with filters. Choose the number of stops, duration, and arrival and departure times to find the right flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' options first.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport. July is the busiest month to travel to Los Angeles. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in May.
Before locking in your flight from Chicago to LAX, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC to 32ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Los Angeles right here. Explore these hotels after you've booked your flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are top sights which should feature on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Complete your Los Angeles trip with a car rental
After you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Chicago to Los Angeles International Airport, the next task is choosing one of our car rentals in Los Angeles. Check out the deals and easily compare your options on pick-up convenience, price, and more.