Cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus

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Flight deals from Chicago to Columbus

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Chicago to Columbus? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $138. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Columbus.$138 per passenger.Departing Wed, Sep 2, returning Sun, Sep 13.Round-trip flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Wed, Sep 2, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Port Columbus on Sun, Sep 13, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $138, select.

Columbus.$139 per passenger.Departing Wed, Sep 30, returning Sun, Oct 4.Round-trip flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Wed, Sep 30, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Port Columbus on Sun, Oct 4, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $139, select.

Columbus.$148 per passenger.Departing Tue, Oct 20, returning Wed, Oct 21.Round-trip flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, Oct 20, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Port Columbus on Wed, Oct 21, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $148, select.

Columbus.$149 per passenger.Departing Tue, Nov 3, returning Mon, Nov 16.Round-trip flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, Nov 3, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departing from Port Columbus on Mon, Nov 16, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $149, select.

Columbus.$157 per passenger.Departing Thu, Sep 10, returning Mon, Sep 14.Round-trip flight with American Airlines.Outbound direct flight with American Airlines departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Thu, Sep 10, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with American Airlines departing from Port Columbus on Mon, Sep 14, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $157, select.

Columbus.$157 per passenger.Departing Thu, Nov 26, returning Thu, Dec 3.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Thu, Nov 26, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Thu, Dec 3, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $157, select.

Columbus.$157 per passenger.Departing Tue, Oct 20, returning Wed, Oct 21.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, Oct 20, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Wed, Oct 21, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $157, select.

Columbus.$157 per passenger.Departing Thu, Jan 14, returning Mon, Jan 18.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Thu, Jan 14, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Mon, Jan 18, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $157, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Sat, Nov 7, returning Wed, Nov 11.Round-trip flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Chicago Midway on Sat, Nov 7, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Port Columbus on Wed, Nov 11, arriving in Chicago Midway.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Mon, Sep 28, returning Mon, Oct 5.Round-trip flight with American Airlines.Outbound direct flight with American Airlines departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Mon, Sep 28, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with American Airlines departing from Port Columbus on Mon, Oct 5, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Thu, Feb 4, returning Sat, Feb 6.Round-trip flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Chicago Midway on Thu, Feb 4, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Port Columbus on Sat, Feb 6, arriving in Chicago Midway.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Sat, Sep 5, returning Mon, Dec 7.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Sat, Sep 5, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Mon, Dec 7, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Tue, Dec 29, returning Tue, Jan 5.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Tue, Dec 29, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Tue, Jan 5, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Sat, Oct 31, returning Sat, Nov 7.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Sat, Oct 31, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Sat, Nov 7, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$158 per passenger.Departing Wed, Dec 16, returning Wed, Dec 23.Round-trip flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departing from Chicago O'Hare International on Wed, Dec 16, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with United departing from Port Columbus on Wed, Dec 23, arriving in Chicago O'Hare International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $158, select.

Columbus.$207 per passenger.Departing Tue, Sep 29, returning Fri, Nov 6.Round-trip flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Chicago Midway on Tue, Sep 29, arriving in Port Columbus.Inbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departing from Port Columbus on Fri, Nov 6, arriving in Chicago Midway.Price includes taxes and charges.From $207, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Columbus

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Chicago to Columbus flights are currently cheapest in September.

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Direct flights from Chicago to Columbus

Alternative Chicago to Columbus routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Chicago to Columbus? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Port Columbus

11km from central Columbus

ClosestCheapest

from $138

Search flights

Columbus Rickenbacker

17km from central Columbus

from $296

Search flights

Chicago to Columbus: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$138
Cheapest month to fly	September
Average flight time	1 hr, 24 mins
Most popular airline	American Airlines
Average flights per week	556

Finding cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in Columbus?

There are 2 airports in Columbus: Port Columbus and Columbus Rickenbacker.

How much are round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbus?

The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Chicago to Columbus is $138. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Chicago to Columbus?

1 hour and 24 minutes is the average flight time from Chicago to Columbus.

Which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Columbus?

American Airlines, United and Alaska Airlines fly direct from Chicago to Columbus.

How many flights are there a week from Chicago to Columbus?

There are 556 flights per week flying from Chicago to Columbus, as of August 2026.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Columbus?

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Columbus is usually September.

What's the cheapest airport to fly to in Columbus?

If you're flying from Chicago, the cheapest airport near Columbus is Port Columbus – which is 10.8 km away from the center of Columbus. We've found flights to this airport from $138.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Chicago to Columbus on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Chicago to Columbus on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Chicago to Columbus?

Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 24 minutes.

How can I get the best flight deal from Chicago to Columbus?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Columbus but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Columbus?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Columbus is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in Columbus?

In August, the average temperature is usually around 23°C. July is typically the warmest month in Columbus, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -7°C. The rainiest month is May.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly with from Chicago to Columbus?

The cheapest airline that flies to Columbus is Frontier Airlines, and the cheapest airline that flies to Columbus Rickenbacker Airport is American Airlines.

Traveling from Chicago to Columbus: what you need to know

Start your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Columbus jetting off from either of these.
Port Columbus Airport (CMH) and Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) are the major arrival points in Columbus.
The average length of a direct Chicago to Columbus flight is 1 hour 25 minutes.
The timezone in Columbus is UTC-5, which is one hour ahead of Chicago.
The most popular route for flights from Chicago to Columbus is from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Port Columbus Airport (CMH). You can select from 108 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to maximize your time on arrival, the earliest flight from ORD to CMH is the 07:00 American Airlines option. If you prefer traveling later, the final departure is at 21:25 with American Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to make your Chicago to Columbus flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're traveling during a peak period in general.

How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Columbus

Book four months before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Chicago to Columbus flights.
September is the best month for nabbing an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Columbus. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus.
Lock in a cheap Chicago to Columbus flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Flying from Chicago

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

You can get a direct flight from Chicago to Columbus departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Start your trip at ORD and end it at Port Columbus Airport (CMH).
Reserve your Chicago to Columbus plane tickets with United Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from ORD.
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometers in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Columbus? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
70% of flights taking off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.

Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

You can take a direct flight from Chicago to Columbus departing from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Start your travels at MDW and come in for landing at Port Columbus Airport (CMH).
You can book a direct Chicago to Columbus plane ticket with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the leading airlines that operates this route out of MDW.
MDW is about 14 kilometers from central Chicago. It'll take 25 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Get your vacation started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Columbus, unwind in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway Airport:
76% of all departures from Chicago Midway Airport meet their expected arrival time.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.

Arriving in Columbus

Port Columbus Airport (CMH)

The distance from Port Columbus Airport (CMH) to central Columbus is approximately 10 kilometers. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're traveling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 40 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to CMH if you have a late flight from Chicago to Columbus. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Port Columbus Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Alamo, Budget or Avis and venture far and wide through Columbus and beyond.
Reserve your ride from Port Columbus Airport at least a few weeks in advance to secure the best deal. If you're traveling during a busy period, you may want to book your Chicago to Columbus flight even earlier.
The street address for CMH is 4600 International Gateway.

Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK)

Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) is roughly 16 kilometers from central Columbus. Once you've disembarked your flight from Chicago to Columbus, it takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Unpack your bag and relax not long after your flight from Chicago to Columbus at Baymont by Wyndham Columbus/Rickenbacker. This comfortable accommodation option is a short drive from LCK.

Best time to go to Columbus

March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Columbus, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to visit Columbus based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Chicago to Columbus ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Columbus to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Columbus in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF) on average.

More about Columbus

Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Columbus, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Columbus:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre are essential stops on your Columbus itinerary.

Explore more of the United States

Chicago is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Columbus. Around 451 kilometers to the northwest, top sights here include Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower.
Indianapolis is another well-known destination in the United States and is around 274 kilometers west of Columbus. No trip is complete without visiting Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.