Travelling from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC): What you need to know
Begin your trip planning by checking out the best departure point for your flight from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC). Explore the options for taking off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), two of the city's main airports.
2 hours 10 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Chicago to Richmond International Airport flight.
The timezone in Richmond is UTC-5, which is one hour ahead of Chicago. Richmond International Airport is located in Richmond.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Richmond International Airport (RIC) is the most popular route. There are 45 direct weekly flights to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, hop on the last flight with American Airlines at 8:31pm. Choose the first ORD to RIC departure operated by United Airlines at 7:15am if you'd rather get going earlier.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to RIC, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
With more travellers during peak months like July, get to the terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and as much as four for international journeys will allow for additional wait times. Remember things also get busy during major holidays like Christmas and local events or festivals.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Take the express route from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Direct flights from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC) are available from here.
United Airlines is a leading airline that operates direct flights from Chicago to Richmond International Airport taking off from ORD.
The preferred airline for passengers flying between ORD and RIC is United.
Among carriers on this route, United has the best record for on-time arrivals.
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 the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Richmond International Airport or prefer not to feel hurried, these hotels are the ideal choice:
70% of flights that depart Chicago O'Hare International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
ORD's address is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Think about kicking off your journey from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). You can book a direct Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC) plane ticket with departures from this hub.
Southwest Airlines offers direct flights from Chicago to RIC departing from MDW. Book your favourite window seat and get to your destination in a single hop.
On the MDW to RIC route, Southwest Airlines is the go-to airline for most travellers.
With 78.99% of its services arriving as scheduled, Southwest Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying between Chicago Midway International Airport and Richmond International Airport.
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 16 kms (10 miles) away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 25 minutes.
Flying off with the first light? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your Chicago to RIC flight:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76%.
The address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is around 145 kms (90 miles) from central Chicago. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. If you're considering public transport, expect a journey of around 2 hours.
Make catching an early Chicago to Richmond International Airport flight the easiest part of your trip. Book a room at one of these hotels near Chicago Rockford International Airport and head to your check-in counter with plenty of time to spare:
The on-time performance rating of RFD is 71%. In simpler terms, that's how often flights that depart this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is located at 2 Airport Cir.
About Richmond International Airport (RIC)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Richmond International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RIC instead:
To secure the lowest price, book your ride around one week ahead of your Chicago to Richmond International Airport flight.
The address for RIC is 1 Richard E. Byrd Terminal Drive.
Getting from Richmond International Airport (RIC) to central Richmond
From Richmond International Airport, central Richmond is around 14 kms (9 miles) away. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city centre by car.
It takes roughly 50 minutes to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Richmond International Airport is £57. For a return flight on this route, the best price is £135. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To snap up cheap flights from Chicago to RIC, book your ticket five months ahead of your departure date.
October is when you're most likely to land a bargain on a Chicago to Richmond International Airport ticket. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap plane tickets from Chicago to RIC by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Save money on your flight from Chicago to Richmond International Airport by using the search filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Think about your travel style when deciding your trip dates. December is the quietest month to go to Richmond. July is when most people book flights from Chicago to Richmond International Airport (RIC), which may be perfect if you're chasing more action.
When booking your Chicago to RIC plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Richmond, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC to 34ºC.
January has temperatures of between -4ºC and 12ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Richmond International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Richmond
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Richmond right here. Explore these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Richmond International Airport:
There are so many things to explore in this city, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Black History Museum & Cultural Centre of Virginia, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Virginia Museum of History & Culture are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Richmond itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Richmond is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of the United States waiting to be explored. About 209 kms (130 miles) north of Richmond, a trip to Baltimore will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like National Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium and Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place.
Around 161 kms (100 miles) north of Richmond, Washington DC is another essential stop in the United States. No visit is complete without checking out Lincoln Memorial, The White House and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
