Traveling from Tokyo to Chicago: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Tokyo. Explore your options leaving from Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) when reserving your flight from Tokyo to Chicago.
Arrive in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
11 hours 49 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Tokyo to Chicago. Following the UTC-5 timezone, Chicago is 14 hours behind Tokyo.
Haneda Airport (HND) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 29 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Tokyo to Chicago is with United Airlines at 18:25. Go for the first HND to ORD departure with ANA at 10:40 if you're more of an early bird.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably board your flight from Tokyo to Chicago.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good general rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
You will need an ETA for United States if you hold a passport from Japan and are traveling for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements can be subject to change. So before you book your cheap flights from Tokyo to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest information.
Flying from Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
Take off from Haneda Airport (HND) on a nonstop flight from Tokyo to Chicago. From HND, you can fly straight to O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Choose from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Tokyo to Chicago departing from HND. Book your seat with one of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from Tokyo to Chicago. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Haneda Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
HND is about 10 miles from central Tokyo. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take 16 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
After an easy start to your vacation? Stay near Haneda Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Tokyo to Chicago or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Narita International Airport (NRT)
You can take a nonstop flight from Tokyo to Chicago jetting out of Narita International Airport (NRT). Start your travels at NRT and disembark at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
ANA offers direct flights from Tokyo to Chicago out of NRT. Book your favorite window (or aisle) seat and arrive at your destination without any detours.
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Tokyo to Chicago, browse these options when departing from Haneda Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Driving from central Tokyo to NRT usually takes 58 minutes, depending on traffic. It's approximately 40 miles from the city center to the airport.
You're going on vacation, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Narita International Airport the day before your flight from Tokyo to Chicago:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 25 miles. It'll take you around 35 minutes to reach the center driving.
It takes roughly 54 minutes to get there by public transport.
Book a hotel near ORD if you're taking a late flight from Tokyo to Chicago. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Once your flight from Tokyo to Chicago has arrived, you can make your way to the city center in about 21 minutes by car. Central Chicago is roughly 12 miles from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
You can expect the journey to take approximately 46 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some cozy stays to call home for the night near MDW. Settle in after your flight from Tokyo to Chicago at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Tokyo to Chicago
Currently, $396 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Chicago. The cheapest price for a return flight is $798. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To secure cheap tickets from Tokyo to Chicago, book your trip 9 months ahead of your departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from Tokyo to Chicago is May. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest travel date.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time looking for cheap tickets from Tokyo to Chicago every day.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Tokyo to Chicago, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Chicago
February is the quietest month for flights from Tokyo to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Work out the best time to visit Chicago based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 59ºF and 84ºF. Book your flights from Tokyo to Chicago in this month if you like this kind of weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Tokyo to Chicago in January when temperatures average between 10ºF and 37ºF.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Tokyo to Chicago, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Chicago itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Tokyo to Chicago to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Chicago, from the most popular rental company to the average daily price.
