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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Ottawa
CHI → YOW • About 2h 05m nonstop • 3 airlines
Adults
+12 years old
Children
2-11 years old
Infants
Under 2 years
Fares shown are the lowest we have recorded recently on this route and are not a live quote. Run a search above for today's availability, or call (800) 399-8818 and an agent will price it with you.
Flights from Chicago (CHI) to Ottawa (YOW)
The Chicago to Ottawa route covers roughly 590 miles and takes about 2h 05m nonstop. 3 airlines compete on it — Air Canada, United Airlines, Porter Airlines — which keeps fares moving and makes it worth comparing carriers rather than defaulting to the one you usually fly. We have seen one-way fares on this route start around $168.
Ottawa is Canada’s capital and holds the national museums — art, history, war, nature and aviation — most of them within walking distance of Parliament Hill.
In winter the Rideau Canal freezes into the world’s largest skating rink, running nearly five miles through the middle of the city.
Airlines flying CHI to YOW
- Air Canada
- United Airlines
- Porter Airlines
Airports on this route
- Departing: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Departing: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Arriving: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Chicago is served by 2 airports. Fares between them can differ by $50 to $150 on the same dates, so ask us to price all of them before you book.
Best time to fly to Ottawa
May through October, plus February for Winterlude and the canal skateway.
Top things to do in Ottawa
- Parliament Hill
- National Gallery of Canada
- Canadian Museum of History
- Rideau Canal
- ByWard Market
- Canadian War Museum
- Gatineau Park
How to save on Chicago to Ottawa flights
- Shift your departure by one or two days — midweek departures on this route are consistently cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
- Book four to eight weeks ahead. Last-minute fares on CHI to YOW routinely run double the advance price.
- Compare all 3 carriers rather than checking one airline's own site.
- The Rideau Canal skateway typically opens in January and depends entirely on the cold.
- Most national museums charge admission but offer free evenings.
- Montreal is two hours by train if you want to combine the two.
About flights from Chicago to Ottawa
Fares on the CHI to YOW route move with demand, so flexibility is worth more than timing tricks. Shifting your departure by a day or two, flying midweek instead of Friday or Sunday, and booking four to eight weeks ahead all reduce the fare on this route. Chicago is served by 2 airports, so ask us to price all of them — the difference is often significant. Our agents also hold consolidator and unpublished fares that do not appear in online results.
Air Canada, United Airlines, Porter Airlines all operate on this route. Air Canada typically offers the most frequencies, with United Airlines and Porter Airlines providing competing schedules. Availability varies by season and by which Chicago airport you depart from, so it is worth comparing all carriers before booking.
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 05m. Itineraries with a connection typically add two to four hours depending on the layover city and the length of the stop.
The two cities are roughly 590 miles apart by air.
Departures leave from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Arrivals land at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
May through October, plus February for Winterlude and the canal skateway.