RIC - CHI

$79 Find Cheap Flights from Richmond to Chicago - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$295
Typical prices: $334-$490
Frontier
Tue 9/11Thu 9/13
RIC - ORD • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$305
Typical prices: $339-$490
Southwest
Tue 9/11Wed 9/12
RIC - MDW • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest. Average duration is 2h 25m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 2% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 16 weeks in advance save around 39% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 11% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $190 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 3h 53m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Richmond to Chicago (RIC-CHI)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Richmond to Chicago

Fri, Sep 18 - Sun, Sep 20
Frontier Logo
5:51 pm - 10:59 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 08m1 stop Orlando
Frontier Logo
3:50 pm - 4:56 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
24h 06m1 stop Orlando
$295Frontier
Wed, Feb 3 - Sat, Feb 6
JetBlue Logo
3:30 pm - 11:44 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
9h 14m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
2:35 pm - 11:18 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
7h 43m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$296JetBlue
Thu, Sep 10 - Mon, Sep 14
Southwest Logo
4:25 pm - 10:25 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-MDW Chicago Midway
7h 00m2 stops Baltimore/Washington Nashville Intl
Southwest Logo
6:15 pm - 9:20 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
2h 05mnonstop
$298Southwest
Mon, Sep 7 - Mon, Sep 14
Southwest Logo
8:05 am - 9:00 amRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-MDW Chicago Midway
1h 55mnonstop
Southwest Logo
9:20 am - 7:15 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
8h 55m2 stops Lambert-St Louis Baltimore/Washington
$298Southwest
Thu, Sep 10 - Mon, Sep 14
Delta Logo
9:55 am - 4:30 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
7h 35m1 stop New York LaGuardia
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 12:04 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
5h 04m1 stop New York LaGuardia
$298Delta
Thu, Dec 24 - Tue, Dec 29
Delta Logo
12:45 pm - 4:22 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-MDW Chicago Midway
4h 37m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
5:59 pm - 11:16 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
4h 17m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$298Delta
Fri, Sep 18 - Sun, Sep 20
Frontier Logo
5:51 pm - 10:59 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 08m1 stop Orlando
Frontier Logo
3:50 pm - 4:56 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
24h 06m1 stop Orlando
$299Frontier
Thu, Oct 8 - Mon, Oct 12
United Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 7:42 amRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 22mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:58 pm - 9:10 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
2h 12mnonstop
$300United Airlines
Sat, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 12
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 7:23 amRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
2h 23mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
11:40 am - 2:50 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
2h 10mnonstop
$305United Airlines
Thu, Nov 5 - Mon, Nov 9
JetBlue Logo
3:25 pm - 11:44 pmRIC  Richmond Byrd Intl-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
9h 19m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
2:35 pm - 11:15 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-RIC Richmond Byrd Intl
7h 40m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$321JetBlue
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Richmond to Chicago flights

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

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

Round-trip flights from Richmond to Chicago start at $295. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $334 to $490. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $295 on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Richmond to Chicago flight route?

There's little price difference between Richmond to Chicago routes. They average around $398 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Richmond to Chicago, it is 11% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 12% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • November is the cheapest month to fly from Richmond to Chicago at $361 round-trip.
  • June ($456) and July ($441) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 26% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Richmond to Chicago the cheapest?

Flights from Richmond to Chicago are cheapest 16 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 39% 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 Richmond to Chicago

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

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.

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 Richmond to Chicago flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$79
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 4% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 13% increase in price.
Flight from Richmond to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

When to book flights from Richmond to Chicago

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

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

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

    Among airlines operating Richmond to Chicago 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 Richmond to Chicago?

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

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

    Flights from Richmond to Chicago usually depart from Richmond Byrd Intl (RIC) 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 Richmond to Chicago 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 Richmond to Chicago?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Richmond to Chicago:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • First Class

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $190 round-trip via Fort Lauderdale (FLL), compared to $407 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Richmond 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 Richmond to Chicago pass through?

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 48% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 24% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 10% of one-stop connections
    • Baltimore/Washington (BWI) - 7% 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 Richmond to Chicago?

    On the Richmond to Chicago route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 21%. Saturday is the cheapest day at $361 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $455: a $94 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Richmond to Chicago flights, with 67% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 22%, night flights for 11%, and afternoon flights for 0%.

  • 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 Richmond to Chicago?

    A nonstop flight from Richmond to Chicago takes 2h 25m, covering 625 miles.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 8:25 am
    • Latest: departs at 8:27 pm and lands at 10:52 pm.

    The flight takes about 2h 25m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 41% above the route average of $405. Book 16 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Richmond 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 Richmond 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 $293 to $1,455. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Richmond to Chicago are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $112, which is 54% below the typical average for this route.

  • Is it cheaper to take a train or bus instead of flying between Richmond and Chicago?

    Based on prices from the last 5 days, flying between Richmond and Chicago is around $295 round-trip, with a flight time of about 6h 08m. Recent bus fares are around $199, with a trip time of about 21h 00m. Compared with flying, recent bus fares are roughly 33% lower. However, taking the bus takes about 14+ hours longer each way.

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

    Flying via Baltimore/Washington (BWI) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 3h 53m, compared with 4h 28m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 5h 23m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT).

  • What is the time difference between Richmond and Chicago?

    Chicago is 1 hour behind Richmond (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 Richmond to Chicago flight?

    Round-trip flights from Richmond to Chicago range from $334 to $490, with an average of $405 over the past 12 months. Anything below $334 counts as a good deal.

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

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Saturday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Saturday flights average $361 - about $94 less than Sunday (21% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 16 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 39% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Richmond to Chicago trip for November. Fares historically average $361 round-trip in that month - typically $95 less than the most expensive month, which is June (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 $190 round-trip on this route - about $217 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

Prefer to fly direct from Richmond to Chicago?

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

Direct departures

Richmond Byrd Intl 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 Richmond Byrd Intl

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 Richmond to Chicago

Information on your arrival and departure airports