United States

How to get from Chicago to Los Angeles

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 40min
💶
From
166€
📍
Distance
2804 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Chicago to Los Angeles: Flight, about 2h 40min, from €166. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines; main departure point: Chicago OHare Airport.

Distance: 2804 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Chicago to Los Angeles

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Flight
2h 40min – 2h 41min
166 – 356 €
View
🚌 Departure from Chicago
📍Most travellers depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), the city's main hub, with Midway (MDW) as the alternative. Check your ticket for the airport and terminal, and arrive early for security and baggage drop.
🚇From downtown Chicago, the CTA Blue Line train runs directly to O'Hare, a simple and budget-friendly option. Taxis and rideshare are also available from the city centre. For Midway, the CTA Orange Line is the usual transit link.
⏰Nonstop flights operate throughout the day, with morning, afternoon and evening departures. Exact times vary by airline and date, so check the schedule when booking and choose a departure that leaves room for your transfer.
💸 Transport from 166€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 40min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Frontier Airlines Flight Chicago OHare Airport €166 2
Alaska Airlines Flight Chicago OHare Airport €356 3
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Practical tips

💡
Choose the plane for this distance

Chicago to Los Angeles spans more than half the country. Don't lose days on the ground: a nonstop flight is the realistic choice and frees up your time for exploring California.

💡
Check the airport code

Chicago has O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). Before leaving your accommodation, confirm which one is on your ticket so you don't head to the wrong terminal across town.

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Confirm LAX as your arrival

Several airports serve the Los Angeles area. Make sure your booking lands at LAX if your accommodation is nearby, otherwise your onward transfer may become longer and more costly.

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Book early for better fares

Fares on this busy corridor tend to rise as the date approaches. Book well ahead, compare baggage rules by fare, and keep your e-ticket and ID easily accessible on departure day.

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Plan your airport transfer

Allow a comfortable margin to reach the Chicago airport, as traffic and transit delays happen. On arrival, decide in advance between rideshare, shuttle or public transport to reach your Los Angeles destination.

The journey experience

Chicago to Los Angeles is one of the longest domestic corridors in the country, and this is exactly where comparing options pays off. Across the Midwest, the Rockies and the desert Southwest, the distance is simply too large for most independent travellers to cover on the ground without losing days of their trip.

For this route, the flight is the option that makes sense. Nonstop services link Chicago's two main airports with Los Angeles International, and several major US carriers run the corridor throughout the day, so you can pick a morning, afternoon or evening departure to suit your plans. Cabins are standard domestic economy, with carry-on and checked baggage rules that vary by fare, so check what your ticket includes before you book. Flying also spares you a night or more of accommodation and the fatigue of a very long overland journey.

Your main task is to avoid mixing up airports. Chicago has O'Hare and Midway, and Los Angeles has several airports in the region, so always check the three-letter code on your booking. Once you land, plan your transfer into the city in advance: rideshare, shuttles and public transport all serve LAX. Book early for the best fares, and you will arrive in California rested and on schedule.

Frequently asked questions — Chicago → Los Angeles

Why visit Los Angeles?

  • ✓ Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take in the view of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory
  • ✓ Spend a sunset on Santa Monica Pier and cycle the beachfront path to Venice Beach
  • ✓ Tour a film studio at Universal Studios Hollywood or Warner Bros. Studio
  • ✓ Explore the Getty Center for world-class art, gardens and panoramic city views
  • ✓ Browse the Grand Central Market and the street art of the Arts District in Downtown LA
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 5 nights — distances are large, so you need time for several districts and traffic

When to visit Los Angeles?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

March to May and September to November — warm sunny days, mild evenings and fewer crowds than in summer

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😐
Jun 😐
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
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In Los Angeles — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Los Angeles
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Los Angeles?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🎬
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Theatre
Stroll Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars and the celebrity handprints outside the TCL Chinese Theatre. Free to walk. Go early morning, before 9am, to avoid crowds and street performers. Take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland rather than driving, as parking is costly (around 15€).
🌅
Griffith Observatory at Sunset
Free entry to this 1935 landmark with views of the Hollywood Sign and the city skyline. Closed Mondays. Parking is limited and fills fast, so take the DASH Observatory shuttle from Vermont/Sunset Metro station (about 0,50€). Arrive one hour before sunset for the best light.
🌊
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Walk or cycle the 4 km beach path between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk, passing Muscle Beach and the skate park. Bike rentals start around 8€ per hour. Weekday mornings are calmer. Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica to skip the expensive beachfront parking.
🎨
The Getty Center Art and Gardens
This hilltop museum offers free admission, with European paintings, architecture by Richard Meier and a lovely Central Garden. Parking costs around 20€. Book a timed entry online in advance. Visit after 3pm for fewer visitors and golden light over the city. Closed Mondays.
🌮
Grand Central Market Food Tour
Open since 1917 in Downtown LA, this market hosts about 40 stalls: tacos, pupusas, ramen, Egg Slut sandwiches. Budget 10-15€ for a filling meal. Go at weekday lunch before noon to avoid queues. Combine with the nearby Bradbury Building and Angels Flight railway.
🏛️
Walt Disney Concert Hall and Broad
Frank Gehry's steel-clad concert hall is free to admire outside, with free self-guided audio tours inside on select days. Next door, The Broad contemporary art museum has free general admission, but reserve online or queue early. Tuesday to Sunday only.
⛰️
Hike Runyon Canyon or Griffith Trails
Runyon Canyon offers a free 5 km loop with views of the city and, on clear days, the ocean. For fewer people, take the Griffith Park trail to Mount Hollywood summit (about 5 km round trip). Bring water and start before 8am, since summer heat is strong and shade is scarce.
🌴
Abbot Kinney and Venice Canals
Away from the boardwalk crowds, the Venice Canals form a quiet residential network of footbridges and gardens, built in 1905 and inspired by Italy. Free to walk, about 30 minutes. Then browse Abbot Kinney Boulevard's independent shops and cafés. Go on weekday mornings for tranquility.

How long to visit Los Angeles?

3 to 5 days

Plan 4 to 5 days to cover the essentials: Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice, Griffith Observatory, Getty Center and a studio tour. With 3 days, stick to two or three areas to limit time lost in traffic. Rent a car or budget for rideshares, as distances are huge, and avoid driving between 4 and 7 pm.

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