Flying from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): What you need to know
Start planning your holiday by looking up the best departure point for your flight from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Explore your options for setting off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), the city's main airports.
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 5 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight.
Durham is one hour ahead of Chicago. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located in Durham, which is in the UTC-4 timezone.
The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), with 64 direct services every week. If you're looking to take off without delay, the earliest flight from ORD to RDU is the 6:40am American Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 8:45pm with American Airlines.
Your flight from Chicago to RDU won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're flying internationally.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow even more breathing space. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) makes it easy to travel directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) can be booked from this terminal.
Leading carriers that offer direct flights from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport departing ORD include:
The most frequently booked airline between ORD and RDU is American Airlines.
American Airlines is the leading carrier for punctuality on this route.
Located around 40 kilometres from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Looking for a comfortable hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping a quick hop from check-in:
74.85% of flights leaving from O'Hare International Airport land at their destination on time.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Consider starting your journey from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). You can book a direct Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) plane ticket from this popular hub.
Southwest Airlines operates direct flights from Chicago to RDU out of MDW. Book your favourite window seat and arrive at your destination without any detours.
Southwest Airlines attracts the most bookings on the MDW to RDU route.
With 78.7% of services landing on schedule, Southwest Airlines is the top on-time carrier flying between Chicago Midway International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
MDW is about 19 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take 20 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Chicago to RDU flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 77.88%. This figure reflects how frequently flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on time.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is around 137 kilometres from central Chicago. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. If you're considering public transport, expect a journey of around 4 hours 15 minutes.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll be at the terminal with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight:
Flights that take off from RFD arrive at their destination as scheduled 76.19% of the time.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near RDU:
Pick up a Raleigh-Durham International Airport rental car and explore Durham and beyond with your own wheels. Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your vehicle around one week ahead of your Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight.
Getting from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to central Durham
Raleigh-Durham International Airport to central Durham is around 16 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, plan ahead to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times can vary depending on traffic and the time of day.
Travelling on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
$43 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Return flights start from $94. These prices can change based on availability and demand.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Chicago to RDU if you book early. Airlines often have some excellent early bird deals.
Affordable Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport tickets are easier to find when your travel dates are flexible. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares throughout the month and then fly out on the cheapest day.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to RDU is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Filters make it easier to track down a bargain for your flight from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Choose the departure times, airlines and number of stops that look good to you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Think about the kind of experience you want when deciding your trip dates. May is the quietest month to visit Durham. July is when most people book flights from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), which may be perfect if you enjoy travelling when it's busier.
When booking your Chicago to RDU plane ticket, consider what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in Durham, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has temperatures of between -3ºC (27ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Durham
Start your Durham trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Chicago to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to start. DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Centre, American Tobacco Campus District and American Tobacco Historic District are leading attractions which should be on every Durham itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Durham, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Journey around 193 kilometres west to Charlotte to check off its leading sights. From Bechtler Museum of Modern Art to Discovery Place and NASCAR Hall of Fame, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Around 274 kilometres north-east of Durham, Virginia Beach is another essential stop in the United States. No visit is complete without checking out Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Resort Beach.
