$334 Cheap Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Bilbao (BIO)

Chicago (ORD) to Bilbao (BIO) at a glance

Explore a range of airlines offering routes from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Bilbao Airport (BIO) on this international long-haul journey. Evaluate options from full-service carriers to discover the itinerary that aligns with your budget, schedule, and travel plans as you immerse yourself in Bilbao's renowned attractions and neighborhoods. Here you'll find essential details for flights from ORD to BIO.

• Fastest flight duration: around 9h 30m in-flight, plus roughly 3h 45m layover with one stop
• Route distance: roughly 4,100 miles (6,600 km)
• Flights per week: around 7 departures on average
• Typical fares (one-way): economy tickets often range from $295–$780, depending on seasonality and how far ahead you book

Flights from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)

According to recent travel bookings, the top airlines favored by travelers flying from Chicago to Bilbao typically offer one-stop service, with common layovers at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), which has an average layover of about 3 hours and 45 minutes, Schiphol Airport (AMS) with a 2-hour layover, and Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), which offers a 2-hour and 15-minute layover. This variety allows you to customize your itinerary based on price, total travel time, and cabin class for an optimal travel experience.

• Iberia: This full-service airline provides one-stop flights, with one-way ticket prices generally falling between $320 and $695. It makes up about 27% of the departures for this route, featuring an in-flight duration of 9 hours and 30 minutes and a total travel time of around 13 hours and 15 minutes (including layover).
• United: Another full-service option, United offers one-stop services with one-way fares typically ranging from $315 to $815. It also represents approximately 27% of flights on this route, with an in-flight time of 9 hours and 30 minutes and a total journey duration of about 13 hours and 15 minutes (including layover).
• Lufthansa: This full-service carrier features one-stop flights, with one-way fares usually between $315 and $590. It constitutes around 10% of the departures for this route, boasting an in-flight duration of 9 hours and 30 minutes and a total journey time of roughly 13 hours and 15 minutes (including layover).
• TAP Portugal: Providing one-stop service, this full-service airline has one-way fares that typically range from $315 to $670. It accounts for about 8% of departures on this route, with an in-flight time of 9 hours and 30 minutes and a total travel duration of approximately 13 hours and 15 minutes (including layover).
• KLM: As a full-service carrier offering one-stop flights, KLM's one-way fares generally range from $315 to $645. It makes up around 6% of the departures on this route, with a flying time of 9 hours and 30 minutes and an overall journey time of about 13 hours and 15 minutes (including layover).

Alternative routes from Chicago (ORD) to Bilbao (BIO)

• Chicago to Santander (ORD-SDR): Located about 47 miles from Bilbao Airport (BIO), Santander Airport (SDR) serves as a convenient option for travelers.
• Chicago to San Sebastian (ORD-EAS): San Sebastian Airport (EAS) lies roughly 56 miles from Bilbao Airport (BIO), providing accessible travel routes.
• Chicago to Logrono (ORD-RJL): Agoncillo Airport (RJL) is situated approximately 66 miles from Bilbao Airport (BIO), offering another viable travel choice.

How to find the best prices for flights from Chicago (ORD) to Bilbao (BIO)

Getting some of the best deals on flights from Chicago to Bilbao is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

1. Best times to book and fly: cheaper fares are usually found when booking 2 to 8 weeks in advance, although most travelers tend to book at least 2 months ahead. Departures between 12 PM and 6 PM often offer lower prices and are the most popular times to fly, while Tuesday flights generally provide cheaper options, even though Friday remains the most sought-after travel day.
2. Set up price alerts: stay updated on price changes by using Expedia's Price Tracker. Receive alerts when fares drop for your selected route.
3. Bundle and save: bundle your flight and hotel to save on Expedia, or unlock a hotel deal after booking your flight.*
4. Compare flight options: use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
5. Stay flexible with dates: being open to different travel days can sometimes help you find better prices on flights and hotels.
6. Think about luggage: nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.

*Members only. Savings vary and are not available on all bundles. Select hotels.

Arriving at Bilbao Airport from O'Hare International Airport

Bilbao welcomes travelers from Chicago with a range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. Bilbao city center is approximately a 10-minute drive (covering about 8 miles) from Bilbao Airport, depending on traffic. Here's how to reach Bilbao efficiently:

• Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in Bilbao, with private rides that can be arranged in advance.
• Car rental: Renting a car from Bilbao Airport is a great option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals at Bilbao Airport on Expedia.
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.
• Public transportation: From Bilbao Airport, several key transport links are conveniently accessible. Santutxu Station (a metro station) is located about 6.3 miles from the airport by car, while both Bilbao Seaport (a seaport) and Bilbao (YJI-Bilbao-Abando Train Station) (a train station) are each about 6.7 miles away, also easily reached by car.

Chicago to Bilbao Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago to Bilbao

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 Chicago to Bilbao are during the month of February. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Chicago to Bilbao with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Chicago to Bilbao

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago to Bilbao: 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 Chicago to Bilbao

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 Chicago to Bilbao in 2026. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $334 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 Chicago to Bilbao 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 Chicago to Bilbao 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.