TPA - CHI

$105 Find Cheap Flights from Tampa to Chicago - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$210
Typical prices: $182-$378
Frontier
Tue 10/30Fri 11/2
TPA - MDW • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$210
Typical prices: $182-$386
Frontier
Fri 1/12Sat 1/20
TPA - ORD • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, Southwest and others. Average duration is 3h 01m.
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 6% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 5 weeks in advance save around 34% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 32% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $194 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 27m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Tampa to Chicago (TPA-CHI)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Tampa to Chicago

Fri, Oct 30 - Mon, Nov 2
Frontier Logo
5:57 pm - 11:47 pmTPA  Tampa-MDW Chicago Midway
6h 50m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
6:16 am - 5:22 pmMDW  Chicago Midway-TPA Tampa
10h 06m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$210Frontier
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Nov 28
Frontier Logo
5:24 pm - 12:53 amTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 29m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:30 am - 10:15 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
2h 45mnonstop
$210Frontier
Mon, Oct 12 - Wed, Oct 14
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:27 pm - 3:30 pmTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
19h 03m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:44 pm - 11:45 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
15h 01m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$212Multiple Airlines
Thu, Oct 15 - Mon, Oct 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:55 pm - 3:30 pmTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
17h 35m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:44 pm - 11:45 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
15h 01m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$213Multiple Airlines
Wed, Oct 28 - Sat, Oct 31
JetBlue Logo
7:45 am - 1:44 pmTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 59m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
7:00 am - 2:03 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
6h 03m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$268JetBlue
Tue, Oct 27 - Tue, Nov 3
JetBlue Logo
7:45 am - 1:44 pmTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
6h 59m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
7:00 am - 2:03 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
6h 03m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$271JetBlue
Thu, Dec 3 - Sat, Dec 5
American Airlines Logo
1:44 pm - 3:54 pmTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
3h 10mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
9:00 am - 12:51 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
2h 51mnonstop
$277American Airlines
Sat, Dec 5 - Tue, Dec 8
American Airlines Logo
6:45 am - 9:00 amTPA  Tampa-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
3h 15mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
7:02 pm - 10:42 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-TPA Tampa
2h 40mnonstop
$277American Airlines
Thu, Dec 10 - Mon, Dec 14
Southwest Logo
7:20 am - 9:05 amTPA  Tampa-MDW Chicago Midway
2h 45mnonstop
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 9:55 amMDW  Chicago Midway-TPA Tampa
2h 40mnonstop
$277Southwest
Sat, Oct 17 - Mon, Oct 19
Southwest Logo
7:35 am - 9:15 amTPA  Tampa-MDW Chicago Midway
2h 40mnonstop
Southwest Logo
5:05 am - 8:35 amMDW  Chicago Midway-TPA Tampa
2h 30mnonstop
$277Southwest
Booking Insights

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

Round-trip flights from Tampa to Chicago typically range from $182 to $378. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $210, on Frontier.

What is the cheapest Tampa to Chicago flight route?

Tampa (TPA) to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) is the cheapest Tampa to Chicago route, averaging $269 round-trip. Other Tampa to Chicago routes average $302, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Tampa to Chicago. It’s 8% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 24% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Tampa to Chicago at $186 round-trip.
•July ($373) and June ($370) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 100% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Tampa to Chicago the cheapest?

Flights from Tampa to Chicago are cheapest 5 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 34% 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 Tampa 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, MDW and TPA

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.

Key details for Tampa to Chicago flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$105
Beat the crowds with an average 21% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 5% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Tampa to Chicago Midway Airport

When to book flights from Tampa to Chicago

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa to Chicago?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 5:15 am and lands at 8:16 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:39 pm and lands at 1:40 am.

    The flight takes about 3h 01m.

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

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

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

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from Tampa to Chicago?

    A nonstop flight from Tampa to Chicago takes 3h 01m, covering 1,002 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Tampa 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 Tampa to Chicago flight?

    Round-trip flights from Tampa to Chicago range from $182 to $378, with an average of $274 over the past 12 months. Anything below $182 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 27% above the $274 route average. Book 5 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $194 round-trip via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH), compared to $277 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Tampa 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 Tampa to Chicago spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Tampa to Chicago flights, with 39% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 38%, evening flights for 23%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from Tampa 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 $210 to $1,635. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

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

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Tampa 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.

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

    One-way fares from Tampa to Chicago are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $126, which is 30% below 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
    • 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

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

    Flights from Tampa to Chicago usually depart from Tampa (TPA) 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 Tampa to Chicago pass through?

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 83% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 4% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 3% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 2% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 27% on flights from Tampa to Chicago. Saturday is the cheapest departure day at $253 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $342, a difference of $89.

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

  • What airlines fly from Tampa to Chicago?

    4 airlines operate flights between Tampa and Chicago. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Southwest
    • American Airlines
    • Frontier

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

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 27m, compared with 4h 37m via Nashville Intl (BNA) and 5h 22m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT).

  • What is the time difference between Tampa and Chicago?

    Chicago is 1 hour behind Tampa (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 River North. These are among the most viewed places in Chicago on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating Tampa 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
    • Frontier: 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 Tampa 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 always check the fare details before booking.

  • How can I get around Tampa International Airport?

    TPA is organized around a Main Terminal, with Terminals A, C, E and F branching off from it. SkyConnect connects the Main Terminal with the Rental Car Center and the Economy Garage.

  • What are the airport options for flying into CHI?

    The choice of airport for arrival in Chicago depends on travelers' needs and preferences. Several public transportation options connect the airport to Downtown Chicago.

  • What public transportation options are available from Downtown Tampa to Tampa Airport?

    Taxis and rideshares are comfortable options for getting to TPA. For a cheaper option, several bus services, including HART and PSTA, are also available.

  • Can I rent a car at Chicago O’Hare International Airport?

    Yes, several international car rental agencies offer their services at ORD. All these agencies provide free 24-hour shuttles that pick up passengers from their designated zones just outside the baggage claim on the lower level.

  • What amenities are available at ORD?

    Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) offers an airport transit system that connects terminals and can be especially helpful for travelers with mobility challenges. Charging ports, lounges and business centers are also available.

  • Are there facilities for travelers with wheelchairs at Tampa Airport?

    Yes, elevators are located throughout the airport for travelers using wheelchairs. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Companion restrooms are available for travelers who need extra assistance. TDD and TTY telephones are also available for travelers with disabilities.

Your guide to booking Tampa 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 Sunday. On this route, Saturday flights average $253, about $89 less than Sunday fares (26% 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 34% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Tampa to Chicago trip for February. Fares historically average $186 round-trip in that month - typically $187 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Houston George Bush Intcntl Airport (IAH) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $194 round-trip on this route - about $83 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
  • If you're arriving at Chicago Midway Airport and need to reach another gate or concourse, you can move between Concourses A, B and C in the main terminal without going back through security.
  • Consider flying into Midway Airport (MDW) if getting through security quickly matters. MDW has posted a lower overall average TSA wait than O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and it also offers a designated security lane for families.
  • For a nonstop to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), look for seasonal service from Tampa. After landing at O’Hare International Airport, you can get to downtown Chicago on the Blue Line Train, by taxi, by rideshare like Lyft or by private transfer.
  • All airlines at Chicago O’Hare Airport provide wheelchair assistance and other services required by passengers with limited mobility. If you need help, request it through your airline before your trip.
  • If you want a place to relax during a layover at Tampa Airport, several lounges are available. The USO Lounge mainly serves active-duty members and their families, as well as Coalition forces. Military retirees can also use it when space is available and you'll find children’s activities and rest areas inside.
  • If you're driving to Tampa Airport, you can choose from the long-term, short-term and economy parking garages or use valet parking. Parking rates depend on the option selected.

Prefer to fly direct from Tampa to Chicago?

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

Direct departures

Tampa to Chicago

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago to Tampa

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

American Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Tampa to Chicago

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