CAE - CHI

$209 Find Cheap Flights from Columbia to Chicago - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$339
Typical prices: $297-$491
American Airlines
Mon 11/19Fri 11/23
CAE - ORD • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$209
Typical prices: $260-$356
American Airlines
Thu 12/6
CAE - ORD • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and American Airlines. Average duration is 2h 33m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 8 weeks in advance save around 38% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 24% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $243 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 35m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Columbia to Chicago (CAE-CHI)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Columbia to Chicago

Thu, Nov 19 - Mon, Nov 23
American Airlines Logo
5:53 am - 7:30 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 37mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
1:28 pm - 4:37 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 09mnonstop
$339American Airlines
Mon, Jan 4 - Fri, Apr 30
American Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 7:38 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 38mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:46 pm - 11:59 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 13mnonstop
$339American Airlines
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 7:39 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 24mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:55 pm - 9:11 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 16mnonstop
$339United Airlines
Wed, Nov 18 - Sat, Nov 21
United Airlines Logo
10:37 am - 11:59 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 22mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:45 pm - 9:02 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 17mnonstop
$339United Airlines
Fri, Dec 4 - Sat, Dec 5
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 7:39 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 24mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:55 pm - 9:11 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 16mnonstop
$339United Airlines
Fri, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 16
American Airlines Logo
4:44 pm - 6:25 pmCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 41mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:46 pm - 11:55 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 09mnonstop
$339American Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Tue, Dec 15
American Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 7:33 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 33mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:46 pm - 11:58 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
2h 12mnonstop
$339American Airlines
Mon, Jan 4 - Fri, Apr 30
Delta Logo
5:58 pm - 10:17 pmCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-MDW Chicago Midway
5h 19m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
1:05 pm - 5:57 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
3h 52m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$359Delta
Thu, Jan 21 - Sun, Jan 24
Delta Logo
5:20 am - 10:04 amCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-MDW Chicago Midway
5h 44m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 1:49 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
6h 49m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$359Delta
Thu, Jan 7 - Sat, May 1
Delta Logo
5:53 pm - 10:17 pmCAE  Columbia Metropolitan-MDW Chicago Midway
5h 24m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
10:35 am - 4:28 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-CAE Columbia Metropolitan
4h 53m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$359Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Columbia to Chicago 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 Columbia to Chicago?

Round-trip flights from Columbia to Chicago typically range from $297 to $491. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $339, on American Airlines.

What is the cheapest Columbia to Chicago flight route?

There's little price difference between Columbia to Chicago routes. They average around $375 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Columbia to Chicago. It’s 17% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 58% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Columbia to Chicago?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Columbia to Chicago at $284 round-trip.
•April ($496) and March ($453) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 74% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Columbia to Chicago the cheapest?

Flights from Columbia to Chicago are cheapest 8 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 38% 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 Columbia to Chicago

 
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.

Key details for Columbia to Chicago flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$209
Beat the crowds with an average 36% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 56% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Columbia to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

When to book flights from Columbia to Chicago

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

Your Columbia to Chicago 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 Columbia to Chicago?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 5:51 am and lands at 8:24 am
    • Latest: departs at 9:37 pm and lands at 12:10 am.

    The flight takes about 2h 33m.

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

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Columbia to Chicago:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Columbia to Chicago?

    A nonstop flight from Columbia to Chicago takes 2h 33m, covering 652 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Columbia to Chicago?

    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 Columbia to Chicago flight?

    Round-trip flights from Columbia to Chicago range from $297 to $491, with an average of $376 over the past 12 months. Anything below $297 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Columbia to Chicago flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 29% above the $376 route average. Book 8 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $243 round-trip via Fort Lauderdale (FLL), compared to $378 for nonstop.

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

    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 Columbia to Chicago spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Columbia to Chicago flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 25%, evening flights for 25%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from Columbia to Chicago 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 $339 to $2,127. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

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

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

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

    One-way fares from Columbia to Chicago are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $375, which is 18% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available in Chicago?

    Since Chicago is served by multiple airports, car rental options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) — daily rates from around $17:

    • Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    • Europcar
    • Hertz
    • Ace
    • Dollar

    Near Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) — daily rates from around $32:

    • Hertz
    • Dollar
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Rent-A-Wreck

    Near Chicago Greater Rockford Airport (RFD) — daily rates from around $28:

    • Alamo
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
    • Budget
    • Avis
    • National

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

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

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

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 73% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 18% of one-stop connections
    • Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - 3% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 48% on flights from Columbia to Chicago. Saturday is the cheapest departure day at $314 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $595, a difference of $281.

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

  • What airlines fly from Columbia to Chicago?

    2 airlines operate flights between Columbia and Chicago. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • American Airlines

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

    Flying via Charlotte Douglas (CLT) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 35m, compared with 4h 42m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and 5h via Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD).

  • What is the time difference between Columbia and Chicago?

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Chicago?

    Some of the most popular sights in Chicago are Magnificent Mile, Grant Park and Soldier Field. These are among the most viewed places in Chicago on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating Columbia to Chicago flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; 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 Columbia to Chicago flights?

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

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

Your guide to booking Columbia to Chicago 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 Monday. On this route, Saturday flights average $314, about $281 less than Monday fares (47% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 8 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 38% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Columbia to Chicago trip for January. Fares historically average $284 round-trip in that month - typically $212 less than the most expensive month, which is April (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $243 round-trip on this route - about $135 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 Chicago Midway Airport.

    • DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Midway Airport
    • Holiday Inn Chicago - Midway Airport S by IHG
    • Skylark Motel

Prefer to fly direct from Columbia to Chicago?

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

Direct departures

Columbia Metropolitan to Chicago

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Columbia to Chicago

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