Travelling from Brussels to Chicago: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Brussels. Explore your options departing from Brussels Airport (BRU) or Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL) when booking your flight from Brussels to Chicago.
Touch down in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Hop on a direct Brussels to Chicago flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 8 hours 55 minutes.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-5, which makes Chicago six hours behind Brussels.
The busiest route for flights from Brussels to Chicago is from Brussels Airport (BRU) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). There are seven services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from BRU to ORD is the 10:10 United Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last available departure is at 10:15 with United Airlines.
To ensure you catch your Brussels to Chicago flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Brussels to Chicago
Get cheap Brussels to Chicago flights by booking eight months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Organise your trip for November. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on plane tickets from Brussels to Chicago. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Brussels to Chicago.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Brussels to Chicago flights.
Flying from Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Brussels to Chicago, you can leave from Brussels Airport (BRU). Get from BRU to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) without any stops.
Be on the lookout for deals with United Airlines. This airline offers direct Brussels to Chicago plane tickets out of BRU.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Brussels to Chicago flights leaving from Brussels Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
BRU is about 8 kilometres from central Brussels. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 40 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near Brussels Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Brussels to Chicago or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Brussels Airport, 71.97% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Brussels to Chicago flight, here's where you can stop when setting off from Brussels S. Charleroi Airport:
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
You can get to CRL from central Brussels in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 35 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Brussels S. Charleroi Airport the day before your flight from Brussels to Chicago:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Brussels S. Charleroi Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 71.71%.
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is approximately 26 kilometres. It'll take you about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to ORD if you have a late flight from Brussels to Chicago. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab an O'Hare International Airport rental car and discover Chicago and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Dollar and Budget are leading providers to choose from here.
Booking your ride from O'Hare International Airport around four weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
The centre of Chicago is approximately 14 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). After your flight from Brussels to Chicago has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 45 minutes or so.
After your flight from Brussels to Chicago, kick back at a hotel near MDW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab lines. Pick up a Chicago Midway International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Check out the rates and availability from Dollar, Hertz and Budget.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from MDW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Step off your flight from Brussels to Chicago and go straight to your hotel or start sightseeing right away. The centre of Chicago is around 129 kilometres from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and usually takes 1 hour 25 minutes to drive there.
Public transport can get you there in about 4 hours 15 minutes.
Begin your journey without stressing over how to reach your destination with a Chicago Rockford International Airport rental car. You can book a set of wheels from trusted suppliers here like Budget, Alamo and National.
If you'd like a particular type of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of finding what you want. Book your ride from RFD at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Brussels to Chicago.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Brussels to Chicago, while August is the most popular. Find the best time to visit Chicago based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book a Brussels to Chicago ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC to 29ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Look for cheap flights from Brussels to Chicago around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Once you've booked your flight from Brussels to Chicago, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Chicago:
Millennium Park and Art Institute of Chicago are a couple of major attractions to add to your Chicago travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier.
Explore more of United States
Columbus is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Chicago. Around 451 kilometres to the south-east, its top attractions include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
Indianapolis is another standout destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. No trip is complete without seeing The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo.