Travelling from Chicago to Tokyo: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Chicago to Tokyo. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the main airports in Chicago.
Arrive in Tokyo at Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT).
Around 13 hours 15 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Chicago to Tokyo flight.
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Chicago and is in the UTC+9 timezone.
With 21 weekly flights between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Haneda Airport (HND) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Chicago to Tokyo with JAL at 01:05. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last departure from ORD to HND is with ANA at 17:45.
To ensure you board your Chicago to Tokyo flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Tokyo
Lock in cheap Chicago to Tokyo flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for bagging a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Tokyo is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
There's no need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chicago to Tokyo.
Save money on your Chicago to Tokyo flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can book a direct flight from Chicago to Tokyo leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Board your plane at ORD and then land at Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct Chicago to Tokyo plane tickets with departures from ORD, including:
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Chicago to Tokyo flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to Tokyo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
74.85% of flights that depart O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Split up your Chicago to Tokyo flight with a stop so you can freshen up or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Chicago Midway International Airport and Tokyo are:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
MDW is around 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It'll take you 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Chicago to Tokyo? Kick back in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your break officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
78% of all departures from Chicago Midway International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
The distance from Haneda Airport (HND) to central Tokyo is roughly 18 kilometres. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Tokyo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near HND:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Haneda Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Europcar, Nissan Rent a Car or Times and explore beyond Tokyo's main sights.
Booking your ride from Haneda Airport around three weeks in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
You'll find HND at 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Central Tokyo is about 56 kilometres from Narita International Airport (NRT). As soon as your flight from Chicago to Tokyo has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 1 hour.
You'll find some comfortable places to lay your head close to NRT. Tuck yourself in after your Chicago to Tokyo flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Narita International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare availability and rates from Airport Car Hire, JDM Rent a car and Miki Car Hire.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at NRT will help you save.
The address for Narita International Airport is 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
Best time to go to Tokyo
April is the busiest month for flights from Chicago to Tokyo. To skip the crowds, visit Tokyo in February.
The warmest month in Tokyo is August, with temperatures ranging between 26ºC and 29ºC. Lock in your Chicago to Tokyo ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Chicago to Tokyo in February when temperatures average between 15ºC and 20ºC.
More about Tokyo
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Tokyo, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Tokyo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Tokyo Tower, Senso-ji Temple Yogodo and Mag's Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing are highlights which should feature on any good Tokyo itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
You've seen Tokyo, now it's time to explore other corners of Japan. Travel about 31 kilometres south-west to Yokohama to tick off its top attractions. From Teishoin to Seya Christian Church and Banfukuji, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Osaka is another favourite destination in Japan and is around 402 kilometres west of Tokyo. No trip is complete without experiencing Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan.