CHI - CMH

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$197
Typical prices: $272-$492
Frontier
Sat 10/13Tue 10/23
ORD - CMH • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$219
Typical prices: $274-$493
American Airlines
Sun 10/14Sun 10/21
ORD - CMH • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest. Average duration is 1h 29m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 1% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 86% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 70% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $168 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 3h 28m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Columbus Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Columbus (CHI-CMH)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to Columbus

Tue, Oct 13 - Fri, Oct 23
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 6:48 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
11h 48m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
4:27 pm - 11:32 amCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
20h 05m2 stops Denver Intl Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$197Frontier
Thu, Oct 29 - Thu, Nov 5
Frontier Logo
10:26 am - 6:33 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
7h 07m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
7:44 pm - 9:17 amCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
14h 33m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$199Frontier
Tue, Oct 20 - Wed, Oct 21
Frontier Logo
8:46 am - 5:17 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
7h 31m1 stop Orlando
Frontier Logo
4:27 pm - 12:24 amCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 57m1 stop Denver Intl
$200Frontier
Tue, Nov 3 - Wed, Nov 11
Southwest Logo
6:50 pm - 9:10 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-CMH Columbus
1h 20mnonstop
Southwest Logo
7:30 pm - 7:40 pmCMH  Columbus-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 10mnonstop
$221Southwest
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 20
Southwest Logo
7:45 am - 9:55 amMDW  Chicago Midway-CMH Columbus
1h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
7:35 pm - 7:50 pmCMH  Columbus-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 15mnonstop
$221Southwest
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 20
Southwest Logo
8:05 am - 12:40 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-CMH Columbus
3h 35m1 stop Lambert-St Louis
Southwest Logo
7:35 pm - 7:50 pmCMH  Columbus-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 15mnonstop
$231Southwest
Tue, Oct 13 - Sat, Oct 17
United Airlines Logo
12:53 pm - 3:27 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
1h 34mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
4:19 pm - 4:55 pmCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 36mnonstop
$283United Airlines
Sat, Oct 10 - Mon, Oct 12
United Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 5:05 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
1h 35mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
2:16 pm - 2:50 pmCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 34mnonstop
$283United Airlines
Sat, Nov 14 - Sat, Nov 14
American Airlines Logo
8:22 am - 10:51 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
1h 29mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:29 pm - 9:18 pmCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 49mnonstop
$283American Airlines
Thu, Oct 8 - Thu, Oct 15
American Airlines Logo
11:00 am - 1:32 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CMH Columbus
1h 32mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
6:46 am - 7:30 amCMH  Columbus-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 44mnonstop
$283American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Chicago to Columbus Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

Round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport start at $197. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $272 to $492. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $197 on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Chicago to Columbus Airport flight route?

There's little price difference between Chicago to Columbus Airport routes. They average around $371 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Columbus Airport, it is 16% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 22% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

  • December is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Columbus Airport at $318 round-trip.
  • January ($452) and June ($416) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 42% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Chicago to Columbus Airport the cheapest?

Flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 70% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Chicago to Columbus

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on Southwest

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Key details for Chicago to Columbus Airport flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$89
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 23% increase in price.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Columbus Airport

When to book flights from Chicago to Columbus

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Columbus based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Chicago to Columbus Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • How can I fly from Midway to Columbus?

    Southwest is one airline that offers direct flights from MDW to CMH. Delta is among the airlines that offers flights from MDW to CMH with one stop. Stops often occur in cities such as Detroit, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.

  • Do either of the Chicago airports have a hotel at the airport?

    Yes. The Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel is on ORD grounds, located across from Terminal 2 and connected to all of the terminals of the airport by an underground walkway. Amenities at this hotel include room service, and indoor pool, a business center, wheelchair accessibility, and much more.

  • Which Chicago airports have a USO lounge?

    Both Chicago airports have USO, and in fact, ORD has two USO military lounges. At ORD, you can find a USO in Terminal 2 landside and in Terminal 3 airside. The USO at MDW is airside on Concourse C. Active-duty US military personnel and their families can enjoy the services and facilities of these military lounges free of charge. Amenities include comfortable and relaxing seating, refreshments, devices for connectivity and entertainment, flight information, and much more.

  • Is CMH an accessible airport?

    Yes. CMH has made many adaptations to assist differently-abled passengers. Some of these accommodations include wheelchair availability and assistance, shuttles equipped with lifts to accommodate wheelchairs and electric scooters, and handicap accessible parking. CMH also uses sunflower lanyards and wristbands to identify travelers with challenges that aren't so obvious, such as autism, PTSD, and hearing loss. The lanyards and wristbands discreetly alert airport and airplane staff that these passengers will need extra time and assistance with the travel process.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights?

    Among airlines operating Chicago to Columbus Airport flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Southwest: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    3 airlines operate flights between Chicago and Columbus Airport. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • American Airlines
    • Southwest

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    Flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport may depart from several airports in Chicago area, including Chicago Midway (MDW), Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and Chicago Greater Rockford (RFD). Flights usually arrive at Columbus (CMH).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Southwest: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $168 round-trip via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), compared to $369 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport most commonly connect through:

    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 40% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 40% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 20% of one-stop connections

    Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    On the Chicago to Columbus Airport route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 32%. Saturday is the cheapest day at $311 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $452: a $141 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Chicago to Columbus Airport route, 16% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 59 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Chicago to Columbus Airport spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights, with 40% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 30%, evening flights for 25%, and night flights for 5%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Columbus Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Columbus Airport are Greater Columbus Convention Center, Ohio Stadium and Nationwide Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Columbus Airport on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Chicago to Columbus Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:51 am and lands at 8:20 am
    • Latest: departs at 11:55 pm and lands at 1:24 am.

    The flight takes about 1h 29m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Chicago to Columbus Airport flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 49% above the route average of $368. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    A nonstop flight from Chicago to Columbus Airport takes 1h 29m, covering 279 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Chicago to Columbus Airport changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $197 to $999. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Chicago to Columbus Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from Chicago to Columbus Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $115, which is 50% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Southwest’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights?

    Southwest is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while United Airlines has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights are:

    • Southwest: 86% on time
    • United Airlines: 85% on time
    • American Airlines: 81% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 84% of the time on average.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Chicago to Columbus Airport?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 3h 28m, compared with 4h 12m via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and 11h 39m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL).

  • What is the time difference between Chicago and Columbus Airport?

    Columbus Airport is 1 hour ahead of Chicago (Eastern Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available at Columbus Airport (CMH)?

    Columbus Airport (CMH) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $32 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Payless
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
    • Thrifty

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Chicago to Columbus Airport flight?

    Round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport range from $272 to $492, with an average of $368 over the past 12 months. Anything below $272 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Chicago to Columbus Airport flights?

    American Airlines is the only airline on the Chicago to Columbus Airport route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking Chicago to Columbus Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Saturday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Saturday flights average $311 - about $141 less than Monday (31% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 20 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 70% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Chicago to Columbus Airport trip for December. Fares historically average $318 round-trip in that month - typically $134 less than the most expensive month, which is January (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Southwest is the strongest pick on this route. 86% of Southwest flights from Chicago to Columbus Airport arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 84%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour 59 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $168 round-trip on this route - about $201 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Columbus Airport.
    - Days Inn by Wyndham Columbus Airport
    - Hampton Inn Columbus-International Airport
    - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus Airport
  • Chicago, Illinois is served by two airports, the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and the Midway International Airport (MDW). ORD is a hub for American and United Airlines. MDW is a hub for Southwest Airlines and a focus city for Frontier. The John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is no longer a hub for any airlines.
  • United and American are among the airlines that offer direct flights from ORD to CMH. Delta and American are among the carriers that offer flights from ORD to CMH with one stop, often in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, or Dallas. United and American are among the airlines that offer two-stop flights from ORD to CMH, with layovers in cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Washington DC, and New York.
  • If you want to relax before your flight to CMH, you can stop by the Yoga Room to stretch out and center yourself. Both Chicago airports, ORD and MDW, have a Yoga Room with wall mounted TVs demonstrating poses. The Yoga Room in each airport is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
  • CMH has private Nursing Rooms located throughout the airport for traveling moms who would like to breastfeed in private or who need to pump. You can find these Nursing Rooms landside in Baggage Claim and airside at Gates A2, B29, and C51.
  • If you need to pick up a rental car at the Columbus Airport, follow the purple signs throughout the terminal that will guide you to the Arrivals Level. At the Arrivals curb, you can catch a free shuttle for a brief ride to the Rental Car Center. Some agencies that you will find at the CMH Rental Car Center include Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, Thrifty, Alamo, and more.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to Columbus?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Columbus Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to Columbus

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Columbus to Chicago

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Chicago to Columbus

Complete your trip to Columbus with a hotel stay or car rental