Chicago skyline at sunrise reflected in Lake Michigan. Flights from Houston to Chicago

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Houston to Chicago

Compare partner fares from Houston Bush Intercontinental to Chicago O'Hare, with IAH check-in changes before you fly and Metra, Pace and taxi options after you land.

IAH to ORD · 925 mi · 2h 36m est.

IAH to ORD
925 miles
2h 36m nonstop (estimated)
4 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Houston to Chicago flight insights

Average flight time

~2h 36m (estimated)

IAH → ORD

Cheapest cached price

$184

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 12, 2026.

Planning a trip from Houston to Chicago? The average flight time on this route is ~2h 36m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $184 (last checked Oct 12, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Houston to Chicago covers a straight-line distance of about 925 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~2h 36m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Houston to Chicago at a glance

IAH to ORD is about 925 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Houston to Chicago on Eazair
Origin	Houston (IAH)
Destination	Chicago (ORD)
Average Flight Time	~2h 36m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$184
Fares Last Checked	Oct 12, 2026
Distance	925 miles (IAH to ORD)
Time in Chicago	Same time as Houston
Airlines in our fare results	4

Local time in Chicago is the same as in Houston. Houston is on Central Time, Chicago on Central Time.

Flight deals from Houston to Chicago

Departures on this page leave Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) for Chicago O'Hare (ORD). United, American, Frontier and Delta have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. For IAH, O'Hare's 1 Sep 2026 nonstop list shows American, Frontier and United; check the stops on each result because schedules change. Results from Houston Hobby (HOU) or Chicago Midway (MDW) are not part of this search.

IAH's Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, according to the airport's alerts page, so Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C. TSA PreCheck is listed at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., with CLEAR at Terminal A North and Terminal C. Drop-off is on Departures Level 2 at Terminals A, C and E, and on Level 1 at Terminal D.

Taxis at O'Hare wait on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at every terminal. For rail other than the Blue Line, ride the Airport Transit System to the Multi-Modal Facility: behind its northeast corner, O'Hare Transfer station has weekday Metra North Central Service trains to Union Station, with tickets bought from the conductor. Pace Route 250 leaves from bus bays there for the Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston. Delta says it uses Terminal 5; for other airlines, check your app.

EazAir's first 3 fare checks for IAH to ORD ran from 21 Sep to 12 Oct 2026. Every one looked for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later, and the highest result stayed under one and a half times the lowest. Three results are not enough to show a pattern. Delta and American include a carry-on with their lowest fares; Frontier and United Basic Economy allow a personal item only. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Houston to Chicago flights

Departure · Houston

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Central Time

Other airports near Houston: William P. Hobby (HOU)

Arrival · Chicago

O'Hare International (ORD)

Central Time

Other airports near Chicago: Chicago Midway International (MDW)

About Chicago

Areas to know in Chicago

Wicker Park
The Loop
Lincoln Park

Weather in Chicago

Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan. Spring and fall bring the mildest sightseeing weather.

Houston to Chicago: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

Chicago O'Hare International's nonstop list (as of 1 Sep 2026) shows Houston (IAH) served by American Airlines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines. Schedules change, so check the stops shown with each result.

EazAir searches Houston with the IAH code, and Houston has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Chicago Midway (MDW) is a separate airport, served by the CTA Orange Line. Check which Chicago airport each fare uses.

Houston Hobby (HOU) is a separate airport about 11 miles southeast of downtown.

Leaving from Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

METRO Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct links downtown Houston, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, with IAH, stopping at Terminal E, Level 2, outside Door E201.
IAH lists drop-off on Departures Level 2 at Terminals A, C and E, and on Level 1 at Terminal D.
Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C while the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, according to the airport's alerts page.
IAH lists TSA PreCheck at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., with CLEAR at Terminal A North and Terminal C.
The Terminal D checkpoint has modified hours that vary by day, so check IAH's security page, which also shows checkpoint wait times.

Arriving at Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)

Delta says it uses Terminal 5 at O'Hare. For other airlines, check your boarding pass or airline app.

Delta says it moved its O'Hare flights to Terminal 5 in October 2022.
The Airport Transit System train runs 24 hours, every 3 to 5 minutes at busy times, and links Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 with the Multi-Modal Facility for rental cars, Economy Parking Lot F, Pace buses and Metra.
From 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., a Terminal Transfer Bus runs about every 15 minutes inside security between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3, for connecting passengers with a same-day boarding pass.
At other times, passengers connecting between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1, 2 and 3 leave security, ride the Airport Transit System and are screened again.

Getting from O'Hare	Where to board	Where it goes
CTA Blue Line	Station on the lower level of the parking garage. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow the Trains to City signs through the Basement Level tunnels. From Terminal 5, ride the free Airport Transit System to Terminal 2 first. Runs 24 hours. Rides starting at O'Hare cost more than a standard CTA fare.	Downtown Chicago in 40 to 45 minutes, according to CTA.
Rideshare	Upper level at Terminal 2 (orange poles 2A to 2G, with an indoor waiting area between vestibules 2A and 2D) and Terminal 3 (green poles 3G to 3K). O'Hare lists no Terminal 5 pickup, so check your app.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	Stands on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal.	Your destination.
Pace Routes 250 and 330	Multi-Modal Facility, bus bays 8 and 9. Ride the Airport Transit System from the terminals.	Route 250 to the Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston. Route 330, on weekdays and Saturdays, to Archer Ave and Harlem Ave in Summit.
Metra North Central Service	O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility at its northeast corner. Ride the Airport Transit System to the Multi-Modal Facility. Weekday trains. Buy tickets from the conductor.	Union Station in downtown Chicago, or north to Antioch.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Frontier, without a bundle	Not included. One personal item only.	Not included. Prices vary by travel date and when you buy.	Costs extra, or a seat is assigned after check-in.	Not covered here. Check Frontier's rules before you book.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first 3 fare checks from Houston to Chicago ran from 21 Sep to 12 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Chicago to Houston, EazAir's first 13 checks ran from 1 Sep to 12 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. The highest result was less than one and a half times the lowest. With only 3 checks, this cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Houston Airports: IAH alerts (Terminal B lobby) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: METRO Downtown Direct (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH security (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: IAH pick up and drop off (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
METRO: Airport bus nonstop (Route 500) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta's new O'Hare home (11 Oct 2022, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Airport Transit System and terminal transfers (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: ATS service update (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Taxis and rideshare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Airports (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Fares (fare chart effective 20 Feb 2023, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Midway: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Domestic nonstop destinations (as of 1 Sep 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: What is included in my fare (last modified 25 Mar 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bag options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bundles (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for IAH to ORD, 21 Sep 2026 to 12 Oct 2026; ORD to IAH, 1 Sep 2026 to 12 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Where do I check in for Terminal B at IAH?

While the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear security at Terminal C, then take the Skyway train to their gate, according to IAH.

Where is TSA PreCheck at IAH?

IAH lists PreCheck at Terminal A North from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Terminal C North from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Terminal E from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Can I take Metra from O'Hare?

Yes, on weekdays. Metra North Central Service stops at O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility, and runs to Union Station or north to Antioch. Buy tickets from the conductor.

Which O'Hare terminal will I arrive at?

O'Hare's airline list did not load on 17 Oct 2026. Delta says it uses Terminal 5. For United, American and Frontier, check your boarding pass or airline app.

Do the lowest Houston to Chicago fares include a carry-on?

Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and a personal item free, and American Basic Economy includes them too. United Basic Economy on domestic flights and Frontier without a bundle allow a personal item only.

How far is Houston from Chicago?

IAH and ORD are about 925 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.