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Leaving Chicago soon? · ORD · MDW

Last-Minute Flights from Chicago

Need to leave Chicago soon? A real travel specialist compares O'Hare and Midway across airlines for your dates — nonstops and smart connections — and books the option that fits.

  • Same-week and next-day trips
  • Nearby airports & flexible times compared
  • Total cost with bags & seats explained up front

Agents available Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM ET

Popular from Chicago:
View of an airplane wing through the window at sunset
Need to fly soon?Calling is fastest for same-day trips

Travel FareX is an independent travel agency, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any airline. Airline names are trademarks of their owners, used only to describe flights we can book. For an existing reservation booked directly with an airline, please contact that airline. Fares and seats are not guaranteed until ticketed.

A Real Person

Checks availability while you're on the phone

More Options

Airlines, airports & times compared

Clear Total Price

Fare, taxes, bags & any fee explained

Complex Trips Welcome

One-ways, multi-city & families

ORD · MDW

Your Chicago airports — compared

On short notice, the best option is often from a different airport than usual. We check them all for your dates.

ORD

O'Hare International

Northwest side · one of the busiest US airports, many nonstop and international flights.

MDW

Midway International

Southwest side · closer to downtown, mainly domestic point-to-point flights.

MKE

Milwaukee Mitchell

About 90 miles north — sometimes worth checking when Chicago flights are full.

Local tips for flying from Chicago

  • O'Hare and Midway are served by different mixes of airlines — we check both.
  • Winter snow and summer thunderstorms can cause delays; morning flights often run more reliably.
  • The CTA Blue Line (O'Hare) and Orange Line (Midway) connect both airports to downtown.

Airports and routes change by season. We confirm what's flying on your exact dates when you call.

Popular last-minute trips

Popular last-minute trips from Chicago

Tap a destination for airport details, or call for today's options from Chicago.

How it works

Booking a last-minute flight with us

  1. 1

    Call or send your trip

    Tell us where, when and how many — even if you're leaving today.

  2. 2

    We compare live options

    Multiple airlines, nearby airports and flight times.

  3. 3

    You see the total cost

    Fare, taxes, bags, seats and any service fee — before you decide.

  4. 4

    Ticketed & confirmed

    You get your airline confirmation and e-ticket by email.

Tips for flying on short notice

  • Be flexible by a few hours — early-morning and late-evening flights often have more seats.
  • Consider nearby airports (e.g. Midway vs. O'Hare, Love Field vs. DFW, Hobby vs. Bush).
  • Two one-way tickets can sometimes work better than a round trip.
  • Travel with carry-on only if your fare allows it — it saves time at the airport.
  • Have a valid government photo ID (REAL ID or passport for domestic flights).

Good to know before you book

  • Fares and seats change quickly and are not guaranteed until your ticket is issued.
  • Change and refund rules depend on the fare type you choose.
  • Bag fees and seat selection rules are set by each airline.
  • For an existing booking made directly with an airline, contact that airline.

FAQs

Last-minute flights: common questions

O'Hare has more airlines, more nonstop routes and international flights. Midway is smaller, closer to downtown and mostly domestic. On short notice one often has better availability than the other — we compare both and tell you the trade-offs in time and total cost.

Not always. Airlines sometimes release seats close to departure, but fares on popular routes and travel dates often go up as the flight fills. We compare what's available on your dates — including nearby airports and different flight times — and tell you honestly which option is the best value.

We can book flights on most major US and international airlines through our travel-agency booking systems. Fare types, availability and inclusions can differ from what you see elsewhere, and a few fares may only be sold directly by the airline. We'll tell you exactly what your ticket includes before you pay.

No. Travel FareX is an independent travel agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any airline. Airline names, where mentioned, are used only to describe flights we can help you book.

If you booked with Travel FareX, yes — call us and we'll help. If you booked directly with the airline or another agency, please contact the airline or that agency directly for changes, cancellations, baggage and check-in. We can only help you book a new trip.

Often up to a few hours before departure, depending on seat availability and how quickly the ticket can be issued. For same-day travel, calling is fastest — online quote requests are answered during business hours.

Quotes are free with no obligation. If a service fee applies to your booking, we tell you the amount before you confirm, along with the airline's fare and taxes.

Each airline sets its own bag fees and seat rules, they differ by fare type, and several airlines have updated these policies recently. Basic or entry-level fares are the most restrictive. We explain what your fare includes and add up the total cost before you book.

Hero photo: Marissa Lewis on Unsplash. Photos are for illustration only.

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Need to leave Chicago soon?

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