Traveling from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST): What you need to know
Start your adventure at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), the main airport in Chicago. Search for flights from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST) that leave from this terminal.
Book a direct Chicago to Rochester International Airport flight and you'll be traveling for an average of 1 hour 25 minutes.
Chicago and Rochester (where Rochester International Airport is located) share the UTC-6 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch on arrival.
There are 35 direct weekly services between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Rochester International Airport (RST). This is the most popular route when departing from Chicago.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Chicago to RST.
Popular months like July or high seasons such as Christmas and spring break will mean bigger lines at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and head to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a smart move.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Go straight to your destination from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Direct flights from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST) operate from here.
American Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Chicago to Rochester International Airport taking off from ORD.
The preferred choice for passengers flying between ORD and RST is American Airlines.
With 69.66% of services landing on schedule, American Airlines is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
Traveling from central Chicago to ORD takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 27 kilometers in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Chicago to Rochester International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some bonus sleep) by picking one of these stays near Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
70% of flights that take off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
With public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in about 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 16 kilometers away, and getting there by car will take approximately 25 minutes.
Start your vacation sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Chicago to RST flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
76% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
From the center of Chicago, RFD is around 145 kilometers away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to arrive by car and 2 hours or so if you use public transport.
Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll get to your boarding gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Chicago to Rochester International Airport flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights arrive within the expected time frame. At RFD, that rate is 71%.
The street address of Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
About Rochester International Airport (RST)
Have a late flight from Chicago to Rochester International Airport? Don't let your travel day stretch into tomorrow. Stay at one of these hotels near RST and hit the lights earlier:
The street address for RST is 7600 Helgerson Drive Southwest.
Getting from Rochester International Airport (RST) to central Rochester
Central Rochester is around 11 kilometers from Rochester International Airport and takes about 10 minutes to reach by car. See what your options are for heading into the city, whether that's with a car rental, cab or ride-share.
Traveling by public transport typically takes 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST)
Right now, $371 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Rochester International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $410. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Chicago to RST if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Affordable Chicago to Rochester International Airport tickets are easier to find when you have flexibility in your schedule. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to compare fares throughout the month and then choose the cheapest day.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to RST is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Chicago to Rochester International Airport.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST)
It's time to figure out when to book your flight from Chicago to Rochester International Airport (RST). August is when most people travel to Rochester. If you're all about a more relaxed kind of trip, head there in January.
Before locking in your Chicago to RST plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Rochester, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC (55ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Chicago to Rochester International Airport in January when temperatures are between -19ºC (-2ºF) and -1ºC (30ºF).
More about Rochester
Start your Rochester trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Chicago to Rochester International Airport, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Minnesota Children's Museum and The Plummer Building - Mayo Clinic Historical Suite are leading attractions which should feature on any well-planned Rochester itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Minneapolis is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Rochester. Around 137 kilometers away to the northwest, its top attractions include Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnehaha Regional Park.
Saint Paul is another essential stop in the United States and is around 121 kilometers north of Rochester. No trip is complete without experiencing Cathedral of St. Paul, Como Park and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
