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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Tampa
CHI → TPA • About 2h 55m nonstop • 4 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 Tampa (TPA)
The Chicago to Tampa route covers roughly 1,010 miles and takes about 2h 55m nonstop. 4 airlines compete on it — Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier 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 $96.
Tampa gives you the Gulf Coast without the Orlando crowds. Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium and the Riverwalk cover the city itself, and Ybor City preserves the Cuban and Italian cigar-industry heritage that built it.
The real draw is what is 30 minutes west: Clearwater and St. Pete Beach regularly rank among the best beaches in the United States, with calm Gulf water and white sand.
Airlines flying CHI to TPA
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Airports on this route
- Departing: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Departing: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Arriving: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
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 Tampa
February through April — warm, dry, and ahead of the summer humidity and afternoon storms.
Top things to do in Tampa
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Ybor City
- Tampa Riverwalk
- Florida Aquarium
- Clearwater Beach
- St. Pete Beach
- Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
How to save on Chicago to Tampa 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 TPA routinely run double the advance price.
- Compare all 4 carriers rather than checking one airline's own site.
- Tampa International is consistently rated among the easiest large airports in the US to navigate.
- Gulf beaches have calmer water than the Atlantic side, which suits families with small children.
- Hurricane season runs June through November; ask about a changeable fare.
About flights from Chicago to Tampa
Fares on the CHI to TPA 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.
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines all operate on this route. Southwest Airlines typically offers the most frequencies, with United Airlines and American 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 55m. 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 1,010 miles apart by air.
Departures leave from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Arrivals land at Tampa International Airport (TPA).
February through April — warm, dry, and ahead of the summer humidity and afternoon storms.