Flying from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM): What you need to know
Begin your travels at one of Chicago's main airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) taking off from either of these.
Expect to be travelling for 1 hour 50 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight.
Memphis (where Memphis International Airport is located) and Chicago share the UTC-6 timezone. Same timezone means no confusion when scheduling your trip.
With 53 direct flights a week between the two airports, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the most popular route. American Airlines operates the earliest flight at 6:50am. If you're eager to make the most of your day before leaving, the last flight from ORD to MEM is with American Airlines at 10:05pm.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Chicago to MEM.
Peak months like July or high seasons such as Christmas and New Year will mean bigger waits at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and head to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a wise move.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can book a direct flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
United Airlines is a leading airline that operates direct flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport jetting out of ORD.
United is the airline with the highest number of bookings for flights from ORD to MEM.
The carrier with the best punctuality score on this route is American Airlines. Its services land as planned 70.63% of the time.
ORD is about 27 kms (17 miles) from central Chicago. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels are the ideal choice:
When it comes to Chicago O'Hare International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 70% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Consider beginning your travels from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). You can book a direct Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM) plane ticket from this hub.
Catch your direct flight from Chicago to MEM with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the top carriers flying this route out of MDW.
Southwest Airlines has the largest share of bookings on the MDW to MEM route.
Want a carrier that consistently lands on time? Go with Southwest Airlines. 80.0% of its flights between Chicago Midway International Airport and Memphis International Airport arrive as scheduled.
You can arrive at MDW from central Chicago in approximately 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 30 minutes to travel the 16 kms (10 miles) or so.
Got an early start? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your Chicago to MEM flight:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76%.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is around 145 kms (90 miles) from central Chicago. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 2 hours.
Make catching an early Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Stay at one of these accommodation options close to Chicago Rockford International Airport and get to your departure gate without rushing:
The on-time performance rating of RFD is 71%. In other words, that's how often flights that depart this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
About Memphis International Airport (MEM)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these options near MEM:
Booking your ride around four weeks in advance of your Chicago to Memphis International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
MEM is located at 2491 Winchester Road, Suite 113.
Getting from Memphis International Airport (MEM) to central Memphis
Memphis International Airport is around 18 kms (11 miles) from central Memphis. It takes around 25 minutes or so to drive to the city.
Travelling by public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM)
At the moment, £53 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Memphis International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £151. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book three months before travelling. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Chicago to MEM.
Schedule your trip for August. That's the best month for scoring cheap Chicago to Memphis International Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to MEM couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when prices go down.
Discover the best deal on a flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM)
January is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Memphis International Airport (MEM), while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Memphis based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Chicago to MEM plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Memphis, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC to 35ºC.
January has temperatures of between -3ºC and 12ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Memphis International Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Memphis
Start your Memphis trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Memphis International Airport, check out our range of accommodation options including:
You'll find loads of terrific things to do in Memphis when you're ready to see the sights. Kick things off at Elvis Presley’s Memphis followed by Graceland and National Civil Rights Museum.
Explore more of the United States
You've done Memphis, now it's time to discover other parts of the United States. Journey around 209 kms (130 miles) west to Little Rock to tick off its top attractions. From Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Big Dam Bridge, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Clarksville is another sought-after destination in the United States and is around 290 kms (180 miles) northeast of Memphis. No journey is complete without a visit to Fort Sevier/Fort Defiance/Fort Bruce Civil War Park and Interpretive Centre, Dunbar Cave and Tennessee Triumph Women's Suffrage Monument.