Flying from Istanbul to Chicago: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Istanbul to Chicago. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) are Chicago's major entry points.
The average duration of a direct Istanbul to Chicago flight is 11 hours 30 minutes.
Chicago is nine hours behind Istanbul and follows the UTC-6 timezone.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Chicago with Turkish Airlines at 06:30. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the last departure from IST to ORD is with Turkish Airlines at 18:45.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Istanbul to Chicago flight.
Flying during a peak month such as August? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Chicago
Book one month before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to Chicago flights.
Organize your trip for June. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on plane tickets from Istanbul to Chicago. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Istanbul to Chicago.
Save money on your Istanbul to Chicago flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Istanbul to Chicago, you can depart from Istanbul Airport (IST). Get from IST to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) without any stops.
Be on the lookout for deals with Turkish Airlines. This carrier offers direct Istanbul to Chicago plane tickets from IST.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from traveling — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Istanbul to Chicago flights leaving from Istanbul Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometers in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a handy hotel close to Istanbul Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Chicago, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Chicago flight, here's where you can stop when setting off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
SAW is around 31 kilometers from central Istanbul. It'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
You're going on vacation, so why not spend another night away? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Istanbul Sabiha Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Chicago:
68% of flights leaving Istanbul Sabiha Airport meet their expected arrival time.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago takes about 30 minutes by car. The center is roughly 26 kilometers away.
It usually takes 45 minutes to get there when traveling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Istanbul to Chicago. Reserve one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Pick up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car and explore Chicago and beyond with your own wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are leading providers to choose from here.
Reserving your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
The center of Chicago is located around 14 kilometers from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Istanbul to Chicago has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 25 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 30 minutes or so.
After your flight from Istanbul to Chicago, settle in at a hotel near MDW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Chicago Midway Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and be off and running.
Don't pay more than you need to. Securing your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW will help you stay within budget.
The address for Chicago Midway Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD)
Step off your flight from Istanbul to Chicago and go straight to your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. The center of Chicago is around 129 kilometers from Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) and takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to drive there.
Public transport will get you there in around 2 hours.
Start your trip without stressing about how to get to your next stop with a Chicago Rockford Airport rental car. You can book with reliable companies here like Budget, Alamo and National.
Rental agencies sometimes offer deals on early bookings, so reserve your ride from RFD a few weeks in advance of your flight from Istanbul to Chicago. A little prep work can make a big difference in cost.
The street address for Chicago Rockford Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Istanbul to Chicago. July is the most popular month to travel to Chicago. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in March.
When booking your Istanbul to Chicago tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Chicago around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Chicago, check out our range of hotels including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower are must-visits when exploring Chicago.
Explore more of the United States
Chicago has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of the United States waiting to be discovered. Around 451 kilometers southeast of Chicago, a visit to Columbus will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Indianapolis is another favorite destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometers southeast of Chicago. No journey is complete without a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.