$40 Cheap Flights from Houston (IAH) to Chicago (ORD)

Popular airlines from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)

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Cheap Flights from Houston to Chicago (IAH-ORD)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $40 for one-way flights and $80 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
United
American Airlines
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airways

Find the cheapest month to fly from Houston (IAH) to Chicago (ORD)

April is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $48 - $397 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Chicago

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Flights from Houston (IAH) to Chicago (ORD)
Origin airport
George Bush Intercontinental
Destination airport
O'Hare Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$80
Distance
925 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 45 mins

Houston to Chicago Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Houston to Chicago

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Houston to Chicago are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Houston to Chicago with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Houston to Chicago

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Houston to Chicago: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Houston to Chicago

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Houston to Chicago in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $40 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Houston to Chicago flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Houston to Chicago airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) cost?
You can score affordable return tickets from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) starting from $90. Grab a seat and take off on your trip. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines flight leaving IAH on August 5 2025 and touching down at ORD. The price was last updated on July 11 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from IAH to ORD?
The cheapest flights from IAH to ORD are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Skip the layovers and fly nonstop to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) with 4 airlines, including:

  • United Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Spirit Airlines

What is the cheapest airline that flies from IAH to ORD?
With tickets starting at $44 for a one-way flight from IAH to ORD, Spirit Airlines is currently the cheapest airline flying this route. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from IAH on August 5 2025. Prices were last updated on July 11 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
With, on average, 14 direct flights departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) daily, you'll be jetting off in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
More passengers fly between IAH and ORD at 6 AM than at any other time of day. Prefer a quieter experience? Try choosing a quieter departure window and it's possible you'll save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from IAH to ORD?
If you travel on a Sunday, you'll get the largest range of choices for flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD).
What is the earliest flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)'s earliest flight to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) leaves at approximately 6:00AM UTC-6. With a travel duration of 2h 42m, you'll land at around 8:42AM UTC-6.
How long does it take to fly from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
It takes about 2 hours and 46 minutes to fly the 930 mi from IAH to ORD.
What airline has the least delays from IAH to ORD?
With 81% of journeys typically arriving as scheduled, American Airlines has the best on-time performance for direct flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD). To keep track of your flight status and get notified if anything changes, head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Choose a flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays. Departures after this hour are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Chicago from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)?
You'll arrive at O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) or Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) when traveling to Chicago on a direct flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from IAH to ORD are usually more expensive. To secure the best rates, start searching for flights well in advance. That said, if you're flexible with your travel dates, you may land a cheap fare just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book an IAH to ORD flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking an IAH to ORD flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better yet, managing everything in one place will take the hassle out of planning your trip. Simply secure your flights and choose from our extensive range of stays, then tailor your trip with other add-ons like car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
If you booked your IAH to ORD flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the ticket type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for more details.

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