CHI - STL

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$179
Typical prices: $242-$535
Frontier
Sun 12/2Mon 12/3
ORD - STL • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$203
Typical prices: $244-$536
Southwest
Mon 11/19Tue 11/20
MDW - STL • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest. Average duration is 1h 28m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 3% 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 19 weeks in advance save around 65% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 41% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $254 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 04m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
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We hope you love your trip to St. Louis!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to St. Louis (CHI-STL)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to St. Louis

Wed, Dec 2 - Thu, Dec 3
Frontier Logo
1:19 pm - 8:11 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
6h 52m1 stop Orlando
Frontier Logo
6:13 pm - 12:59 amSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 46m1 stop Orlando
$179Frontier
Tue, Dec 1 - Fri, Dec 4
Frontier Logo
7:00 am - 11:06 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
28h 06m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
12:02 pm - 6:03 pmSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 01m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$179Frontier
Thu, Nov 26 - Thu, Dec 3
Frontier Logo
5:12 pm - 11:59 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
6h 47m1 stop Orlando
Frontier Logo
6:13 pm - 12:59 amSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 46m1 stop Orlando
$180Frontier
Thu, Nov 19 - Fri, Nov 20
Southwest Logo
11:30 am - 12:40 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
1:05 pm - 2:10 pmSTL  Lambert-St Louis-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 05mnonstop
$203Southwest
Sun, Jan 24 - Tue, Jan 26
American Airlines Logo
8:59 pm - 10:24 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 25mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
7:21 am - 8:52 amSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 31mnonstop
$203American Airlines
Mon, Dec 14 - Tue, Dec 15
United Airlines Logo
9:45 pm - 10:59 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 14mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 11:16 amSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 36mnonstop
$204United Airlines
Wed, Dec 2 - Thu, Dec 3
United Airlines Logo
10:52 am - 12:22 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 30mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:30 am - 7:57 amSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 27mnonstop
$204United Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Dec 9
American Airlines Logo
9:30 am - 10:52 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 22mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:24 pm - 9:51 pmSTL  Lambert-St Louis-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
1h 27mnonstop
$207American Airlines
Thu, Nov 19 - Fri, Nov 20
Southwest Logo
11:30 am - 12:40 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
9:35 pm - 10:45 pmSTL  Lambert-St Louis-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 10mnonstop
$208Southwest
Fri, Dec 18 - Sun, Dec 20
Southwest Logo
12:50 pm - 2:00 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-STL Lambert-St Louis
1h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
11:10 am - 12:15 pmSTL  Lambert-St Louis-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 05mnonstop
$208Southwest
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Chicago to St. Louis flights

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

How much is a round-trip flight from Chicago to St. Louis?

Round-trip flights from Chicago to St. Louis typically range from $242 to $535. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $179, on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Chicago to St. Louis flight route?

There's little price difference between Chicago to St. Louis routes. They average around $357 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to St. Louis?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to St. Louis. It’s 34% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 45% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to St. Louis?

•December is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to St. Louis at $217 round-trip.
•August ($480) and January ($475) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 121% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Chicago to St. Louis the cheapest?

Flights from Chicago to St. Louis are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 65% 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 St. Louis

 
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, ORD and MDW

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.

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.

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.

Yulia Denisyuk

Yulia Denisyuk

Expert on STL

Yulia is a freelance journalist who’s dispatched from 90+ countries. Her work focuses on cultures, adventure trips and air travel, appearing in NatGeo, NYT, CNTraveler, and more. For past assignments, she’s stayed with nomads in Mongolia and learned the art of Imigongo in Rwanda. She’s based in Chicago; in winter she often questions that decision.

Key details for Chicago to St. Louis flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$59
Beat the crowds with an average 20% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 14% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Chicago Midway Airport to St. Louis

When to book flights from Chicago to St. Louis

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to St. Louis 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 St. Louis flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Chicago to St. Louis?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Chicago to St. Louis:

    • Earliest: departs at 5:40 am and lands at 7:08 am
    • Latest: departs at 11:00 pm and lands at 12:28 am.

    The flight takes about 1h 28m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Chicago to St. Louis?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Chicago to St. Louis:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Chicago to St. Louis?

    A nonstop flight from Chicago to St. Louis takes 1h 28m, covering 260 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Chicago to St. Louis?

    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.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Chicago to St. Louis flight?

    Round-trip flights from Chicago to St. Louis range from $242 to $535, with an average of $366 over the past 12 months. Anything below $242 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Chicago to St. Louis flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 46% above the $366 route average. Book 19 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Chicago to St. Louis?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $254 round-trip via Quincy Regional (UIN), compared to $369 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Chicago to St. Louis?

    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 St. Louis flights are:

    • Southwest: 86% on time
    • United Airlines: 80% on time
    • American Airlines: 78% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are punctual 81% of the time on average.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Chicago to St. Louis?

    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.

  • How are flight departures from Chicago to St. Louis spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Chicago to St. Louis flights, with 35% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 30%, evening flights for 25%, and night flights for 10%.

  • Have flight prices from Chicago to St. Louis 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 $179 to $962. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Chicago to St. Louis flights?

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

  • How are flight prices from Chicago to St. Louis looking right now?

    One-way fares from Chicago to St. Louis are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $60, which is 77% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Lambert-St Louis Airport (STL)?

    Lambert-St Louis Airport (STL) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $78 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Hertz
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
    • Payless

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Chicago to St. Louis?

    Flights from Chicago to St. Louis 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 Lambert-St Louis (STL).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Chicago to St. Louis?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Chicago to St. Louis?

    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 St. Louis route, 19% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 02m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Chicago to St. Louis pass through?

    One-stop flights from Chicago to St. Louis most commonly connect through:

    • Quincy Regional (UIN) - 50% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 25% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 17% of one-stop connections
    • Orlando (MCO) - 8% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Chicago to St. Louis?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 55% on flights from Chicago to St. Louis. Saturday is the cheapest departure day at $242 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $531, a difference of $289.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • What airlines fly from Chicago to St. Louis?

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

    • United Airlines
    • American Airlines
    • Southwest

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Chicago to St. Louis?

    Flying via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 04m, compared with 4h 15m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 4h 38m via Quincy Regional (UIN).

  • What popular places can I visit in St. Louis?

    Some of the most popular sights in St. Louis are Busch Stadium, Enterprise Center and America's Center Convention Complex. These are among the most viewed places in St. Louis on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Chicago to St. Louis flights?

    Among airlines operating Chicago to St. Louis 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.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Chicago to St. Louis 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 always check the fare details before booking.

  • How can I fly from Chicago to STL?

    American Airlines and United Airlines have non-stop flights from ORD to STL. Southwest operates direct flights between MDW and STL. Delta, American Airlines, and United are among the airlines that fly from Chicago to STL with one stop. One-stop flights depart from both ORD and MDW, depending on the airline. Some layover cities include Charlotte (CLT), Minneapolis (MSP), Atlanta (ATL), and Denver (DEN).

  • Do the Chicago airports have a designated area for kids to play?

    ORD has a family lounge where kids can play. This lounge includes colorful seating, stroller parking, and device-charging stations. MDW does not have a family lounge, but almost all the restaurants have high chairs and kids' menus available. Also, a lot of the restaurants have huge windows looking out onto the airfield if your kids would enjoy watching the planes.

  • Do both Chicago airports have a USO?

    ORD has two USO lounges that welcome active-duty US military personnel and their families. One USO is pre-security in Terminal 2 on the Mezzanine level, and the other is post-security in Terminal 3 on the G Concourse. Both lounges are open from 9 am to 5 pm. The USO at Midway is open from 8 am to 8 pm, and is located on Concourse C, post-security.

  • How can I get from STL into downtown St Louis?

    From STL, you can take the light rail Red Line to downtown St. Louis. At STL, to catch the Metro from Terminal 1, you go to exit door 1 on the upper level. From Terminal 2, you can catch the Metro from any level of the parking garage. Go Best Express shuttles offer shared rides straight to your door in St. Louis. These shuttles depart STL every 30min from 6 am until 10 pm.

Your guide to booking Chicago to St. Louis flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Saturday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Saturday flights average $242, about $289 less than Sunday fares (54% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 19 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 65% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Chicago to St. Louis trip for December. Fares historically average $217 round-trip in that month - typically $263 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Southwest. Over the past three months, 86% of Southwest flights from Chicago to St. Louis arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 81%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 02m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Quincy Regional Airport (UIN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $254 round-trip on this route - about $115 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 Lambert-St Louis Airport.

    • Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
    • Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport
    • DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis Airport
  • The city of Chicago has two major airports. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a hub for American Airlines in United Airlines. Midway International Airport (MDW) is a hub for Southwest Airlines and a focus city for Frontier Airlines. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) serves as a hub for Air Choice One and Cape Air.
  • At STL, you might want to walk through Terminal 1 on the way to Baggage Claim, to enjoy the live music of the piano player. As part of an art and culture program, STL has installed a piano and hired a piano player in Terminal 1.
  • STL provides a total of six animal relief areas, four in the terminals in two outside. The ones in terminals are located at Gates A16, C24, E4, and E40. The ones outside are located in Terminal 1 just outside Exit 6 and in Terminal 2, just outside Exit 15.
  • Both CHI airports, ORD and MDW, have an airport chapel that serves as a quiet space for contemplation, prayer, and sanctuary. Worship materials, prayer books, prayer rugs, rosaries, and ablution facilities are available. The chapel in ORD is in Terminal 2 and the one in MDW is on Concourse C.
  • Both ORD and MDW provide facilities for nursing mothers. ORD has both mother's rooms and freestanding lactation suites throughout the airport, several in every terminal. MDW has a mother's room on Concourse C and a freestanding lactation suite on Concourse A.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to St. Louis?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Lambert-St Louis Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to Lambert-St Louis

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

Lambert-St Louis 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 St. Louis

Complete your trip to St. Louis with a hotel stay or car rental