Flying from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH): What you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll catch your flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH). O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's main airports.
Take off on a direct Chicago to Zurich Airport flight and you'll be traveling for an average of 8 hours 50 minutes.
Zurich is six hours ahead of Chicago. Zurich Airport is located in Zurich, which operates on the UTC+1 timezone.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the most popular route. There are 16 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you have plans before you fly, hop on the last flight with SWISS at 8:05pm. Choose the first ORD to ZRH departure operated by SWISS at 2:20pm if you'd rather get going earlier.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Get to the airport on time to catch your flight from Chicago to ZRH.
If you're flying during a public holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. Arrive two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Go straight to your destination from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Direct flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH) can be booked from here.
You can get away on a direct flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport with SWISS. This top carrier operates services from ORD.
The most frequently booked airline between ORD and ZRH is SWISS.
The most reliable carrier for punctuality on this route is SWISS. Its services arrive as planned 71.15% of the time.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Chicago to ZRH departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Here's where you could connect through:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
ORD is around 40 kilometers from central Chicago. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 55 minutes.
Searching for a comfortable hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping a quick hop from check-in:
74.85% of flights that take off from O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Make the most of your trip with a stopover on your flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport. Check out these connections between Chicago Midway International Airport and ZRH:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
MDW is about 19 kilometers from central Chicago. It'll take 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your Chicago to ZRH flight? Unwind in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 77.88%.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Whether just for an hour or two or a handful of days, a stopover can make your whole trip feel a bit less hectic. When jetting out of Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), you can book a plane ticket from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH) stopping at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
From central Chicago, RFD is around 137 kilometers away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to arrive by car and 4 hours 15 minutes or so on public transport.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll make it to your boarding gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Chicago to Zurich Airport flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights reach their destinations as expected. At RFD, that rate is 76.19%.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
About Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Consider staying in a hotel close to ZRH if you have a late flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport. Select one of these options and be under the covers in no time flat:
Pick up a Zurich Airport rental car and explore Zurich and beyond with your own wheels. Alamo, Europcar and Green Motion are well-known companies to choose from here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride around two weeks ahead of your Chicago to Zurich Airport flight.
Getting from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to central Zurich
Zurich Airport to the center of Zurich is roughly 10 kilometers. If you're taking a cab or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times may vary depending on traffic and the time of day.
Traveling on public transport takes around 1 hour 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Zurich Airport is $273. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $395. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
Booking in advance is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Chicago to ZRH. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest Chicago to Zurich Airport tickets across every month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Chicago to ZRH.
Hunt down a great price on a flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Think about the kind of vacation you want when deciding your trip dates. February is the quietest month to visit Zurich. July is when most people book flights from Chicago to Zurich Airport (ZRH), which may be ideal if you enjoy traveling when it's busier.
The warmest month in Zurich is July, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC (50ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Book your Chicago to ZRH plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Zurich Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -6ºC (21ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF).
More about Zurich
Start your Zurich trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Zurich Airport, explore our range of accommodation options including:
You'll find loads of exciting things to do in Zurich when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Make your way to Bahnhofstrasse followed by Cirque du Soleil - Grand Chapiteau and Zurich Opera.
Explore more of Switzerland
Lausanne is just one of the many places in Switzerland waiting to be explored after you've experienced Zurich. Around 177 kilometers away to the south-west, its best attractions include Olympic Park, Riviera, Ouchy, Lausanne and Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique).
Around 161 kilometers south of Zurich, Lugano is another favorite stop in Switzerland. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Lungolago di Lugano, Aussichtspunkt San Salvatore and Old Town Lugano.
