Traveling from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): What you need to know
Your journey comes together at Chicago's main airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Explore the options for reserving a flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) departing from this base.
Around 2 hours 10 minutes is the typical travel time on a direct Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located in Columbia. The city follows the UTC-5 timezone and is one hour ahead of Chicago.
With 16 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the busiest route. United Airlines operates the earliest flight at 11am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from ORD to CAE is with United Airlines at 6:30pm.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Chicago to CAE. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to skip the mad dash to your gate.
Peak months like July or high seasons such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean longer lines at check-in and security. Traveling then? Play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a smart move.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can find a direct flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) leaving from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
When jetting out of ORD, you can take a direct flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport with United Airlines.
United is the airline most travelers choose for flights from ORD to CAE.
The top on-time carrier on this route is United. Its services land as planned 68.2% of the time.
Located around 27 kilometers from the center of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Chicago O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
70% of flights departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport reach their destination on time.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
You can arrive at MDW from the center of Chicago in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 30 minutes to cover the 16 kilometers or so.
Kick off your vacation early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Chicago to CAE flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport:
76% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is around 145 kilometers from central Chicago. Driving from the city center to the airport takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, you can expect a journey of around 2 hours.
Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll reach your boarding gate with time to spare. Settle in at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight:
Flights that leave from RFD land at their destination within the scheduled time frame 71% of the time.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
About Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Have a late flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport? Don't let it rob you of real rest. Stay at one of these hotels near CAE and hit the pillow fast:
For the lowest price, book your ride around one week in advance of your Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight.
CAE is located at 125-A Summer Lake.
Getting from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to central Columbia
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is around 19 kilometers from the center of Columbia. It takes around 20 minutes or so to drive to the city.
Traveling by public transport takes about 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Right now, $253 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $269. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snap up cheap flights from Chicago to CAE, book your plane ticket three months before your planned departure.
Plan your trip for August. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a new deal shows up on plane tickets from Chicago to CAE.
Find a cheap flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport by using filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
It's time to work out when to book your flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). October is the busiest month to visit Columbia. If you like your getaways a little more chill, go in January.
Book a Chicago to CAE plane ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Columbia to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 0ºC (32ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport around that time if you like traveling in cooler conditions.
More about Columbia
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Columbia right here. Browse these options once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport:
All great vacations should include a little sightseeing. South Carolina African American History Monument, 701 Center for Contmporary Art and South Carolina State Museum are must-visits when exploring Columbia.
Explore more of the United States
Columbia has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of the United States just waiting to be discovered. About 145 kilometers north of Columbia, a visit to Charlotte will keep you on the move. Don't miss top attractions like Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Discovery Place and NASCAR Hall of Fame.
If you want to check out another great destination in the United States, head for Raleigh, roughly 306 kilometers northeast of Columbia. North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Dorothea Dix Park are key highlights.
