RDU - CHI

$110 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Chicago - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$229
Typical prices: $230-$392
Frontier
Sun 9/16Wed 9/19
RDU - ORD • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$267
Typical prices: $237-$399
Southwest
Sat 9/15Wed 9/19
RDU - MDW • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest. Average duration is 2h 25m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 25% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 92% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 5 weeks in advance save around 42% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 23% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $124 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 14m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Chicago (RDU-CHI)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Raleigh to Chicago

Wed, Sep 16 - Sat, Sep 19
Frontier Logo
6:35 am - 6:23 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
12h 48m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
6:20 am - 12:38 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 18m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$229Frontier
Sun, Sep 27 - Thu, Oct 1
Frontier Logo
5:26 pm - 9:39 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
29h 13m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
Frontier Logo
3:50 pm - 4:31 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
23h 41m1 stop Orlando
$230Frontier
Sun, Oct 4 - Wed, Oct 7
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:56 pm - 9:20 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
20h 24m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:11 am - 10:02 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
25h 51m2 stops Fort Lauderdale Tallahassee
$232Multiple Airlines
Fri, Sep 11 - Mon, Sep 14
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:33 pm - 3:20 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
20h 47m2 stops Birmingham Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:28 pm - 12:29 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
28h 01m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$234Multiple Airlines
Fri, Sep 18 - Mon, Sep 21
American Airlines Logo
2:02 pm - 6:29 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
5h 27m1 stop Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
American Airlines Logo
5:20 am - 11:16 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
4h 56m1 stop Charlotte Douglas
$239American Airlines
Mon, Sep 14 - Fri, Sep 25
JetBlue Logo
7:00 am - 1:45 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
7h 45m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
3:00 pm - 10:19 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
6h 19m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$255JetBlue
Tue, Sep 15 - Fri, Sep 25
JetBlue Logo
7:00 am - 1:45 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
7h 45m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
3:00 pm - 10:19 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
6h 19m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$255JetBlue
Wed, Oct 14 - Sat, Oct 17
United Airlines Logo
8:06 am - 9:30 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 24mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
7:25 am - 10:48 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
2h 23mnonstop
$267United Airlines
Mon, Sep 14 - Sat, Sep 19
United Airlines Logo
10:05 am - 11:29 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 24mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
10:50 am - 2:07 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
2h 17mnonstop
$267United Airlines
Mon, Dec 21 - Thu, Dec 24
American Airlines Logo
6:05 am - 7:36 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 31mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
7:29 pm - 10:36 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
2h 07mnonstop
$267American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Raleigh to Chicago flights

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

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

Round-trip flights from Raleigh to Chicago start at $229. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $230 to $392. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $229 on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Raleigh to Chicago flight route?

Raleigh (RDU) to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) is the cheapest Raleigh to Chicago route, averaging $301 round-trip. Other Raleigh to Chicago routes average $452, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Raleigh to Chicago, it is 8% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 9% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • October is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh to Chicago at $235 round-trip.
  • July ($382) and June ($367) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 62% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Raleigh to Chicago the cheapest?

Flights from Raleigh to Chicago are cheapest 5 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 42% 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 Raleigh 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, Frontier, 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.

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.

Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on RDU

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Key details for Raleigh to Chicago flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$110
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 9% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 23% lower on average.
Flight from Raleigh to Chicago Midway Airport

When to book flights from Raleigh to Chicago

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

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

  • What are the different airports in Chicago I might land at if I leave from RDU?

    If you take a flight departing from RDU, you will land at either Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW). Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is 85 mi away from Chicago, but it is unlikely that a flight from RDU would land there. ORD is a hub of United Airlines and American Airlines, and MDW is a hub for Southwest. ORD is much larger with 4 terminals, whereas MDW has only 1 terminal.

  • How can I fly from RDU to ORD?

    United Airlines and American Airlines operate non-stop flights from RDU to Chicago every day. Most of these flights tend to land at ORD. American Airlines operates several flights with one stop, with layovers in cities such as Washington D.C. (DCA), New York (LGA), Nashville (BNA), or Philadelphia (PHL).

  • Do the Chicago airports provide private spaces for nursing mothers?

    Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) provides both Mothers Rooms and freestanding lactation pods for mothers who want to nurse in privacy or need to pump. ORD has these spaces throughout the airport, several in every terminal. Midway International Airport (MDW) provides a Mothers Room next to the Yoga Room on Concourse C. There is also a freestanding lactation pod at MDW near gate A5 on Concourse A.

  • Does RDU provide a USO lounge for US military members?

    Yes. The USO of RDU provides a lounge accessible to active-duty military members, their families, and retired military service members. This lounge is open from 7 am to 7 pm every day and is located on the ticketing level of Terminal 2, near Starbucks. Some features of this lounge include a kitchenette, comfortable seating areas that include recliners, a children's play area, a changing room, computers, TV, Wi-Fi, and free snacks and beverages.

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

    Among airlines operating Raleigh to Chicago flights:

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

    3 airlines operate flights between Raleigh and Chicago. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:
    • American Airlines
    • United Airlines
    • Southwest

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

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

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Raleigh 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
    • 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 Raleigh to Chicago?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Raleigh to Chicago:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $124 round-trip via Newark (EWR), compared to $313 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Raleigh 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.

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

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 74% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 7% of one-stop connections
    • New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) - 6% of one-stop connections
    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 3% of one-stop connections

    Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 16% on the Raleigh to Chicago route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $283 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $335, a difference of $52. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

    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 Raleigh to Chicago route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 7 minutes.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Raleigh to Chicago flights, with 47% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 26%, afternoon flights for 21%, and night flights for 6%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Chicago?

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

  • How long is a flight from Raleigh to Chicago?

    A nonstop flight from Raleigh to Chicago takes 2h 25m, covering 630 miles.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 5:49 am and lands at 8:14 am
    • Latest: departs at 8:25 pm and lands at 10:50 pm.

    The flight takes about 2h 25m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 49% above the route average of $305. Book 5 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Raleigh 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.

  • Have flight prices from Raleigh 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 $229 to $1,448. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Raleigh to Chicago are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $123, which is 26% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Raleigh to Chicago flights?

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

    • United Airlines: 92% on time
    • American Airlines: 88% on time
    • Frontier: 79% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 89% of the time on average.

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

    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 Raleigh to Chicago?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 14m, compared with 4h 24m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and 4h 31m via Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD).

  • What is the time difference between Raleigh and Chicago?

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

  • 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
    · Dollar
    · Ace

    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 $30:

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

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

    Round-trip flights from Raleigh to Chicago range from $230 to $392, with an average of $305 over the past 12 months. Anything below $230 counts as a good deal.

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

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Raleigh to Chicago flights:

    • • American Airlines
    • • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

Your guide to booking Raleigh to Chicago 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 Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $283 - about $52 less than Monday (16% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 5 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 42% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Raleigh to Chicago trip for October. Fares historically average $235 round-trip in that month - typically $147 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, United Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 92% of United Airlines flights from Raleigh to Chicago arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 89%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 7 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 Newark Airport (EWR) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $124 round-trip on this route - about $188 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
  • Pet relief areas at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) are located outside the baggage claim areas at each terminal. There are no relief areas inside the airport terminals, so make sure you let your pet or service animal go to the bathroom before you enter the airport and pass security.
  • If you need to mail a letter at RDU before you catch your flight to Chicago, there is a US mailbox outside baggage claim on the lower level of Terminal 2.
  • RDU provides many check-in kiosks in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These self-service units are universal in that they allow you to check in with multiple airlines. There are also check-in kiosks that are specific to certain airlines.
  • At RDU, American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest have skycaps curbside. They can check you in and check your bags before you even step into the airport terminal.
  • ORD provides an airport chapel as a place of prayer, contemplation, and sanctuary. Rugs, rosaries, ablution facilities, worship materials, and prayer books are available. This chapel is above the Delta ticket counters in Terminal 2 on the mezzanine level. A similar chapel can be found at MDW on the mezzanine level in Concourse C.

Prefer to fly direct from Raleigh to Chicago?

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

Direct departures

Raleigh-Durham 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

Direct returns

Chicago to Raleigh-Durham

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

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

Other airlines flying from Raleigh to Chicago