Nonstop flight about 1 h 49
Chicago from Ottawa
Published October 4, 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·
From Ottawa, a nonstop flight gets you in Chicago in about 1 h 49. You land at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 25 km from the destination, after 1,051 km of flight.
In Chicago, the best time for a trip is June to September, with daytime highs up to 25 °C.
7 days in Chicago in August, Beach and hiking, from Ottawa on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from Ottawa
- about 1 h 49
- Flight distance YOW to ORD
- 1,051 km
- Nonstop from YOW
- Nonstop flight
- Best time to go
- June to September
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Choosing your Chicago flight from Ottawa
Ottawa connects with Chicago through the city’s main airports, giving you a direct starting point for a city break built around neighbourhoods rather than long transfers.
ChicagoiPhoto: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
OttawaiPhoto: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsChicago is well suited to a long weekend because its main attractions sit within a compact downtown area. Stay near the Loop, River North, Millennium Park or the Magnificent Mile to make walks between restaurants, museums, riverfront paths and evening entertainment easier.
Use the date cards in the plan after deciding your travel window. They can show weekday details, live weather and live partner prices, while the map keeps the airport route and your first Chicago stay connected. Compare the final options in CAD and choose the arrangement that suits your group.
ChicagoiPhoto: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOttawaiPhoto: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMatching Chicago weather with your travel month
Chicago has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. July and August reach average daytime temperatures of 25 °C, while nights settle near 20 °C. These months suit lakefront walks, outdoor events and evenings spent moving between neighbourhoods.
May and June bring daytime temperatures of 16 °C and 22 °C, with June recording the wettest month in the climate data. Spring visitors should carry layers for cool mornings and variable conditions, while summer travellers can plan more time outside without setting every day around a forecast.
January and December are colder, with average daytime temperatures of 0 °C and 3 °C respectively. March and April offer a transition through 5 °C and 10 °C, making them practical choices for museums, theatre, food tours and walks along the Chicago River.
A balanced Chicago itinerary for three days
Begin downtown with Millennium Park, the Chicago River and the Art Institute of Chicago. A balanced pace gives you a strong morning and afternoon, then leaves the evening for dinner in River North or a walk through the Loop. These first stops establish the city’s architectural character and cultural centre.
Spend day two exploring the lakefront, Navy Pier and neighbourhood dining areas. Add a museum or a scheduled attraction when the weather calls for time indoors. Keep the day light enough to return to your hotel, then choose a relaxed evening around your neighbourhood.
On day three, visit one themed museum, such as a collection focused on art, science or popular culture, and reserve time for a final meal. The planner can place each stop as a map pin, adjust the order after edits and help you balance walking, sightseeing and meals.
From Ottawa to Chicago
Chicago lies {{dist.home:YOW}} from Ottawa in a straight line. From Toronto it is {{dist.home:YYZ}}. Vancouver lies {{dist.home:YVR}} away. From Ottawa, the months that pay off most are June, July, August and September.
VancouveriPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
CalgaryiPhoto: Chris Woodrich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFrom Montreal it is {{dist.home:YUL}}. Calgary lies {{dist.home:YYC}} away. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.
VancouveriPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsCalgaryiPhoto: Chris Woodrich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAirports at the destination
Your nonstop flight from Ottawa lands at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 25 km from the destination.
- ORDChicago O'Hare International Airport25 km to the destination, about 1 h 49 from YOW, 1,051 km of flightNonstop
- MDWChicago Midway International Airport15 km to the destination, about 1 h 49 from YOW, 1,049 km of flight
- GYYGary/Chicago International Airport34 km to the destination, about 1 h 48 from YOW, 1,032 km of flight
Best time to travel in Chicago
In Chicago, the best time for a trip is June to September, with daytime highs up to 25 °C.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 3 |
| Night °C | -5 | -5 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 10 | 4 | -2 |
| Sun h/day | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Rain days | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 |
When to go to Chicago
The warmest month is July with 25 °C, the coolest January with 0 °C. Rain is rarest in January (8 days) and most frequent in June (13 days). The sunniest month is June with 9 hours a day.
For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for June, July, August and September.
- January: 0 °C, 8 rain days, 3 h of sun
- February: 0 °C, 8 rain days, 5 h of sun
- March: 5 °C, 9 rain days, 6 h of sun
- April: 10 °C, 12 rain days, 7 h of sun
- May: 16 °C, 12 rain days, 7 h of sun
- June: 22 °C, 13 rain days, 9 h of sun
- July: 25 °C, 13 rain days, 9 h of sun
- August: 25 °C, 12 rain days, 8 h of sun
- September: 22 °C, 10 rain days, 7 h of sun
- October: 16 °C, 11 rain days, 5 h of sun
- November: 9 °C, 8 rain days, 4 h of sun
- December: 3 °C, 9 rain days, 3 h of sun
Demand for Chicago through the year
Search interest for Chicago peaks in January and is lowest in February, based on monthly search volumes.
How to shape a June day in Chicago
Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 22 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 16 °C, so plan dinner somewhere warm and keep a layer handy.
Packing for Chicago in July
With 25 °C by day and 20 °C at night and 13 rain days in July, pack for changeable mild weather. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A packable rain jacket or umbrella
- A travel adapter for your chargers
Weather in Chicago month by month
- January0 °C
- February0 °C
- March5 °C
- April10 °C
- May16 °C
- June22 °C
- July25 °C
- August25 °C
- September22 °C
- October16 °C
- November9 °C
- December3 °C
Nonstop flights in Chicago from other airports
Besides Ottawa, nonstop flights in Chicago leave from 6 other airports; the closest to Ottawa is Montreal, with a flight time of about 2 h.
- YOWChicago from Ottawaabout 1 h 49 to ORD, nonstop
- YULChicago from Montrealabout 2 h to ORD, nonstop
- YYZChicago from Torontoabout 1 h 26 to ORD, nonstop
- YWGChicago from Winnipegabout 1 h 55 to ORD, nonstop
- YEGChicago from Edmontonabout 3 h 13 to ORD, nonstop
- YYCChicago from Calgaryabout 3 h 09 to ORD, nonstop
- YVRChicago from Vancouverabout 3 h 51 to ORD, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Prices for Chicago
Stays, tours and flights for Chicago show their live price from our partners, in your currency, right below. We never estimate a price: what you see is what the partner charges today.
Making the most of Chicago neighbourhoods
River North suits dining, theatre and a lively evening base. The Loop brings civic architecture, museums and major cultural institutions within easy reach. Millennium Park and the lakefront add open space, gardens and a waterfront setting to a downtown itinerary.
Choose the neighbourhood that matches how you want to travel. Pick a central base for shorter daily journeys, or stay near the lakefront when morning walks and evening views are part of your plan. The map makes it easy to see how attractions and stops relate to your accommodation.
Chicago rewards a mix of planned highlights and time to explore. Add a food stop, a market, a music venue or a neighbourhood walk through the plan, then let the day checker re-order the route after any change. This keeps the itinerary flexible while preserving a clear shape.
Using a Canadian long weekend planner
Canada’s Long Weekend planner is a useful starting point for turning public holidays and leave days into a Chicago vacation. You can add the dates after forming the basic route, then use the trip plan to connect your Ottawa departure with the Chicago stay and daily activities.
March break, summer vacation and Christmas break are listed Canadian school breaks that can shape family travel timing. Each break supports a different approach to the city, with museums and indoor attractions useful in cold weather and outdoor neighbourhoods coming into their own in warmer months.
HolidayWow is free to download and to plan with. Share the same itinerary link with your group, assign viewing or editing roles, and use comments to decide which museum, restaurant or neighbourhood should become part of the day. The budget, checklist and document vault keep trip details together.
Chicago from Ottawa: frequently asked questions
How do I plan Chicago from Ottawa?
Describe the trip in one sentence or by voice, including the month, group, pace and budget. HolidayWow builds a map first plan with Chicago neighbourhoods, daily stops, airport connections and editable day cards. You can add dates later and adjust the route as your plans develop.
What is the distance from Ottawa to Chicago?
Use this distance as one part of comparing your travel options, alongside your airport transfer, flight and arrival plans. The map view connects the journey with your first stay so you can see the full shape of the trip.
What is a good month to visit Chicago from Ottawa?
May through September offers comfortable daytime temperatures, with summer reaching 25 °C in July and August. March and April suit travellers who want a city break with a mix of indoor attractions and spring walks. Choose the month that matches your group and preferred activities.
Can HolidayWow book my Chicago flights?
HolidayWow shows current partner options and booking links inside the trip plan. The page presents live prices rather than estimates, so you can compare available flight choices in CAD before booking. Stays, tours and transport can also be organised through the same planning experience.
Can I edit a Chicago itinerary after creating it?
Yes. You can drag a stop to another day, swap a place, change the pace and make a day lighter. The plan checker re-orders the day after each change. Use relaxed, balanced or packed pacing to match the amount of sightseeing you want in Chicago.
More nonstop destinations from Ottawa
Plan your trip in Chicago from Ottawa
Describe your trip in one sentence. When, who with and what matters to you.
