CHI - YOW

$161 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Ottawa

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to Ottawa departing on 9/13. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Ottawa

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to Ottawa, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to Ottawa, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Flights Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Ottawa (CHI-YOW)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Chicago to Ottawa that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to Ottawa

Thu, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 7
 Logo
9:35 am - 12:22 amMDW-YOW
13h 47m1 stop
 Logo
5:55 am - 8:39 amYOW-MDW
27h 44m1 stop
Thu, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 7
 Logo
5:17 pm - 4:57 pmORD-YOW
22h 40m1 stop
 Logo
4:25 pm - 4:12 pmYOW-ORD
24h 47m1 stop
Wed, Sep 17 - Sat, Sep 27
WestJet Logo
5:30 pm - 6:45 amORD-YOW
12h 15m1 stop
WestJet Logo
6:00 am - 4:43 pmYOW-ORD
11h 43m1 stop
$327WestJet
Find Deal
Thu, Sep 18 - Sun, Sep 28
WestJet Logo
5:30 pm - 6:20 pmORD-YOW
23h 50m1 stop
WestJet Logo
7:50 am - 4:43 pmYOW-ORD
9h 53m1 stop
$333WestJet
Find Deal
Fri, Sep 12 - Fri, Sep 19
Air Canada Logo
8:40 am - 1:51 pmORD-YOW
4h 11m1 stop
Air Canada Logo
11:05 am - 2:55 pmYOW-ORD
4h 50m1 stop
$344Air Canada
Find Deal
Fri, Oct 17 - Mon, Oct 20
Porter Airlines Logo
9:35 am - 4:34 pmMDW-YOW
5h 59m1 stop
Porter Airlines Logo
9:35 am - 4:24 pmYOW-MDW
7h 49m1 stop
$368Porter Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Aug 15 - Wed, Sep 3
Porter Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 5:03 pmMDW-YOW
6h 23m1 stop
Porter Airlines Logo
1:25 pm - 4:24 pmYOW-MDW
3h 59m1 stop
$370Porter Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 7
United Airlines Logo
6:06 pm - 9:35 pmORD-YOW
2h 29mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 8:00 amYOW-ORD
2h 27mnonstop
$374United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 7
United Airlines Logo
10:35 am - 4:43 pmORD-YOW
5h 08m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 8:00 amYOW-ORD
2h 27mnonstop
$376United Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Sep 12 - Fri, Sep 19
Air Canada Logo
8:40 am - 1:51 pmORD-YOW
4h 11m1 stop
Air Canada Logo
5:25 pm - 6:54 pmYOW-ORD
2h 29mnonstop
$378Air Canada
Find Deal
Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Chicago to Ottawa

 
Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of KAYAK-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Airlines
United Airlines

United offers Priority Boarding to avoid gate-checking carry-ons, placing you in Zone 2.


United's Wi-Fi quality varies; check coverage map before purchasing.

Air Canada

Air Canada offers priority check-in for higher fare classes and elite status travelers.


Air Canada provides Wi-Fi on some flights; check availability five days before departure.

Read more about Air Canadaby Stefanie Waldek
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and Air Canada

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

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.

Read more
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to Ottawa flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Chicago to Ottawa to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

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

What is the cheapest Chicago to Ottawa flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for round-trip flights from Chicago to Ottawa.

Our data shows that the cheapest route for a return flight from Chicago to Ottawa cost $459 and was between Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) and Ottawa (YOW). On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is $459.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Ottawa?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago to Ottawa clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

When flying from Chicago to Ottawa, you should consider leaving on a Thursday and avoid Tuesdays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Chicago, you’ll find the best rates on Saturdays and the most expensive ones on Mondays.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Ottawa?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to Ottawa, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Chicago to Ottawa is May, where tickets cost $339 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and September, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $590 and $579 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Chicago to Ottawa?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $563 on average.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$161
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 11% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 5% lower on average.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Ottawa

When to book flights from Chicago to Ottawa

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Ottawa based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from Chicago to Ottawa: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Chicago to Ottawa 
Verified travelerFlew with Air CanadaORD-YOWNov 2024
Ottawa, as a small airport is easiest to navigate! Overhead baggage compartments seem to be smaller, and on every flight they seem to need travellers to volunteer to put carryons in checked luggage instead.
Verified travelerFlew with United AirlinesORD-YOWJan 2024
I always expect issues with United but there doesn't seem to be another airline to use. Advice: Give yourself and extra day to get anywhere - don't be in a hurry to get home either.

FAQs for booking flights from Chicago to Ottawa

  • What are the carry-on and checked luggage allowances in the economy for flights from Chicago to Ottawa?

    The carry-on and checked luggage allowance depends on your airline. Porter Airlines allow you to bring carry-on luggage not exceeding 22 x 16 x 9 inches and an additional bag weighing no more than 50 lbs. If you book Delta, your carry-on dimensions limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and another bag not exceeding 50 lbs. Your luggage should fit underneath your seat or in the upper cabin for the comfort of other passengers.

  • Are the origin and destination airports hubs for any airlines?

    Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, linking many domestic and international cities. At the same time, Ottawa Macdonlad-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is a hub for Air Canada. This airport serves millions of passengers annually to major American and European destinations.

  • What nearby cities are served by Ottawa Macdonlad-Cartier International Airport?

    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport serves several cities. After arriving, you can go to Gatineau to the north, Kanata to the west, Kemptville to the south, Winchester to the southeast, and Almonte to the southwest. You can rent a car and drive to these cities at your own pace or take public transport at the airport terminal, depending on your destination.

  • Are there opportunities to upgrade to first class for flights from Chicago to Ottawa?

    Upgrading to first class on Chicago to Ottawa route depends on your airline. Most airlines email passengers to make them know about available seats and amenities to enjoy while flying first class. Though the upgrading fee depends on your class fare, it's more cost-effective than booking first class originally. In addition, you need to book at least 24 hours before departure to avoid inconveniences and last-minute stress.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Chicago to Ottawa?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Chicago to Ottawa was $161 for a one-way ticket and $319 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Chicago and Ottawa?

    Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in Chicago and on arrival in Ottawa.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Chicago to Ottawa?

    There are 2 airports in Chicago (Chicago Midway and Chicago O'Hare Intl.) and only 1 airport in Ottawa (Ottawa). The cheapest flights are generally found on the Chicago O'Hare Airport to Ottawa flight route.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Chicago to Ottawa?

    British Airways, SWISS, United Airlines, and American Airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Chicago to Ottawa flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Chicago to Ottawa?

    The Embraer 175 (Enhanced Winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to Ottawa flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Chicago to Ottawa?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Chicago and Ottawa.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Chicago to Ottawa?

    There are nonstop flights from Chicago to Ottawa on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Chicago to Ottawa, Porter Airlines or United Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Chicago to Ottawa are Porter Airlines and United Airlines. With an average price for the route of $511 and an overall rating of 8.0, Porter Airlines is the most popular choice. United Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $593 and an overall rating of 7.4.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to Ottawa?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Chicago to Ottawa.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Chicago to Ottawa?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Ottawa from Chicago is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Chicago to Ottawa?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Ottawa with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Chicago to Ottawa?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Ottawa from Chicago up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Chicago to Ottawa

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $220 or less one-way and $499 or less round-trip.
  • You can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Ottawa, but several airlines - including Porter Airlines and Air Canada - make a stopover along the way. Major stopover cities include Newark, New York, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Boston, Cleveland, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Montreal.
  • Air Canada offers special meals to travelers with dietary needs on Chicago to Ottawa route. However, you should contact Air Canada customer care directly at least 24 hours before take-off to order your special meal.
  • The most convenient way to travel from Downtown Chicago to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is by taking the L train that connects to the airport. You can also take the CTA Blue Line bus to arrive at the airport in about 45 minutes.
  • If you need a sustainable journey on Chicago to Ottawa route, you can book WestJet. These airlines are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
  • An alternative airport when booking cheap flights from Chicago to Ottawa is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). The advantage of using this airport is its proximity to Downtown Chicago, around 11 miles. In addition, it's less busy with fewer flights so you can expect shorter queues.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to Ottawa?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Chicago to Ottawa.
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Ottawa Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to Ottawa

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Ottawa to Chicago

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines serving from Chicago to Ottawa

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Chicago to Ottawa. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Chicago to Ottawa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Porter AirlinesOverall score based on 318 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.2Boarding
8.7Crew
7.0Entertainment
7.6Food
Airline reviews

All good the seats a little tight and no I pad screen

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Jul 2025YYZ - RSW
Read more Porter Airlines reviews

All good the seats a little tight and no I pad screen

Everything was good except the fact you charge more for a carry on bag vs a check in bag and to top it off in US$ that was not impressive

Our flight was cancelled at the last minute for maintenance reasons and we were rebooked on a late flight when we purposefully booked our flight to be home early due to work.

Seemed like an old plane. Very noisy. The seat cushions were so old that the metal bracing of the seats were poking through. There was plenty of leg room though.

Flight was delayed over 2 hours, then landed at a different airport!

The whole experience from check in to deboarding was fantastic.

Just an evening before they canceled my ticket and offered me ticket costing 3 x times more than. I will not fall prey to these scams,Will never book through kayak now. Such a bad experience.

was okay except.. 1)the porter check in webpage doesn't let you print your boarding pass from home 2)that there was a 90 min cut off for checking in on the kiosk in general, and to print a boarding pass, even tho i checked in online already....

Great! Personable crew. I love that they pour complimentary beer and wine.

I love the 2 seats per row. More room. The crew were excellent.

It was delayed instead of departing at 9:20pm, we departed at 11pm… putting us in Columbus after 2am! It was awful. Had I known about the delay, I could have spent some time in the United Lounge… I was starving because I started my journey in Budapest… so I was exhausted and hungry. Plus I had to make new arrangements to be picked up at the airport in Columbus, instead of midnight it was 2:30 am after getting luggage and out of airport. Not feasible. I would have just stayed in Chicago for the night and gotten a morning flight.

It was great, I’m very grateful for the pilots and crew flight attendants for everything.

Evidently, my seat had the only broken TV. I couldn’t plug it in, get it to come on, or watch anything, and of course, no one could fix it while we were on the plane. The service was good and the boarding was quick

The boarding of took of late.The presentation of the food was horrable as was the tast of the food was cold and tastless.

Delay and keep changing gates. I have to run around from B to C then to E.

I was charged for my daughters bag when I am supposed to receive two free checked bags with my United Explorer card.

The schedule to Moline changed 5 times. The gate changed 6 times. That is a pathetic way to run an airline. No wonder that no one in our company flies on United Express to or from Moline. Changes happen most of the time. I learned my lesson on this trip…never again!

Flight was great. Efficient boarding. Short flight. Early arrival. Friendly flight crew. The entertainment system did not work well. Could not access it until the aircraft reached 10K feet or more. Lots of glitches.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Boarding was a little difficult. The gate area at O'Hare was very small and crowded due to multiple gates in the area. Could not hear the intercom, so had to rely on signage to see when my group was boarding and the signage was blocked by passengers standing in the gate. Flight was great and we arrived in Montreal on time.

Flight was delayed by 1.5hrs. Once inside, people had their small handbags on the storage. The crew (male guy) was not helpful in making some space in the storage. Instead, he asked few bags to be checked-in and it was not a great experience. No attempt to help but just followed the things with a straight face. People had their literally small bags and he wouldnt not move from one storage to another even if there was space and would not let us do i as well. Once flight was on, they ran out of Orange juice, really running out of orange juice when the temp were 32.degrees outside. didnt made the sense. Onasking for a extra snack, he made a face as if he was giving me out of his pocket. if the flight was delayed, there could have an attempt to provide something extra incase people did asked.

Abandoned me in hallway in a wheelchair… which I asked for because I sprained my back. After waiting in the hallway, I decided to walk the rest of the way since someone respecting me up.. My experience with the united was totally the opposite. Wheelchair access, propped swift and save me a lot of grief. Air Canada totally disorganized.

Terrible confusion btw air Canada and United. Wasn’t able to change ticket because I had purchased on kayak. Rethinking booking tickets on this site, and will try to avoid United and aircanada going forward.

Conflicting information provided about baggage allowance. One screen said I had a carry on and another said I didnt.

Miserable staff as it was a late/delayed flight and crew wasn’t in the best spirits. Completely understood as neither was most of the passengers. Still unacceptable l.

the seats aren't the most comfy -- too little padding and I could feel whatever the passenger behind me was doing. Otherwise, it's all good.

It was a short flight, and no entertainment. That was not a problem for us, but there is no option for "not applicable". There was a bit of turbulence, so there was no food service.

All was good except for the seats, not very comfy.

2.5 hour delay sitting in the plane on the tarmac, you tell me how the experience was

This flight didn't happen for me because of overbooking.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to Ottawa

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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