Flying from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 55 minutes.
Chicago is one hour behind Washington DC, where Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located. Chicago follows the UTC-6 timezone.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most traveled route, with 138 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from DCA to ORD is with American Airlines at 22:09. Choose the first departure operated by American Airlines at 05:59 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For a relaxed start to your DCA to Chicago flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
Direct Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago tickets are available for booking. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is where you'll disembark.
You can choose from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago, including:
Travelling from central Washington DC to DCA takes about 25 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a hotel near DCA? If you've booked an early flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago, these accommodation options put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's on-time performance, 71% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago
₹ 8,426 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago flight. A return ticket right now is ₹ 16,839. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from DCA to Chicago, book in advance. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you have flexibility with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across each month when looking for a Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago ticket.
You don't need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from DCA to Chicago.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to the centre of Chicago takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 27 kilometres away.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near ORD if you have a late flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Reserving your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks before your flight from DCA to Chicago can help you lock in the best possible rate.
The street address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is located around 16 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). After your flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 25 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 30 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your DCA to Chicago flight, settle in at a hotel close to MDW. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride four weeks before your arrival at MDW will help you stay within budget.
The address for Chicago Midway International Airport is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Hop off your flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago and head for your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. The centre of Chicago is around 145 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport can get you there in roughly 2 hours.
Enjoy a more relaxed start to your break by staying at a hotel near RFD after your DCA to Chicago flight. Recharge after a day of travel or just take a moment to get your footing in a new city at:
Rental agencies sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so reserve your vehicle from RFD well ahead of your flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago. A little prep today saves cash tomorrow.
Chicago Rockford International Airport's address is 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to go to Chicago based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from DCA to Chicago around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago, explore our selection of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park and Willis Tower are essential stops on your Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Chicago has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States you'll want to see. About 451 kilometres southeast of Chicago, a trip to Columbus will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Whetstone Park / Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago, Indianapolis is another favourite stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
