Chicago Flights From Atlanta: How to Get From ATL to the Windy City

Flying from Atlanta to Chicago is one of the busiest and most convenient routes out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are here on business, or are planning a trip from Atlanta up to the Midwest, you have plenty of options for nonstop and connecting flights to Chicago.

This guide focuses on what an Atlanta-based traveler needs to know: airlines, airports, typical schedules, how to get to ATL, and practical tips to keep your trip smooth.

Main Options for Chicago Flights From Atlanta

From Atlanta, you can fly to two major airports in Chicago:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Both are reachable from ATL, but the airlines and experience differ.

Atlanta to Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

O’Hare is Chicago’s largest airport and a major national hub.

Typical nonstop options from Atlanta include:

• Delta Air Lines – Frequent nonstop flights (ORD is a strong business destination from ATL).
• United Airlines – Often offers multiple nonstops daily between ATL and ORD.
• Other carriers may provide connecting flights via their own hubs.

Why choose O’Hare from Atlanta:

• More flight frequency, especially during peak business times.
• Good for connections to other U.S. and international destinations.
• More options if you’re flying for work to downtown Chicago or the northern/western suburbs.

Atlanta to Chicago Midway (MDW)

Midway is smaller and closer to downtown Chicago than O’Hare.

From Atlanta, Midway is typically served primarily by low-cost carriers (nonstop options can vary over time).

Why choose Midway from Atlanta:

• Often more convenient if you’re staying near downtown Chicago or on the city’s South/Southwest side.
• Smaller airport feel – some travelers from Atlanta find it easier to navigate than O’Hare.

Quick Comparison: ATL to ORD vs. ATL to MDW

Both can work well for an Atlanta traveler. Your choice mostly depends on where you’ll be staying in Chicago and which airline fits your schedule and budget.

When Do Flights From Atlanta to Chicago Usually Run?

Because this is a major route from ATL, you’ll typically see:

• Early-morning departures (popular with business travelers headed to same-day meetings in Chicago).
• Midday flights (good for flexible schedules and often more relaxed).
• Late-afternoon and evening flights (for after-work travel from Atlanta or returns home).

From Atlanta, allow enough time to get through I-75/I-85 traffic and security. Morning flights can be crowded with both business and connecting passengers, so planning ahead is important.

Average Flight Time From Atlanta to Chicago

Typical nonstop flight time from Atlanta to Chicago:

• Around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours in the air, depending on winds and routing.

With connections, total travel time from ATL can easily range from 3 to 5 hours or more, depending on the layover city and length.

Getting to ATL From Around Metro Atlanta

Before you think about Chicago, you have to get to Hartsfield–Jackson.

Driving and Parking at Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

If you’re based in Atlanta or the suburbs, driving is common:

• From Downtown Atlanta: Follow I-75/85 South to the airport.
• From Buckhead: Use GA-400 to I-85 South, or surface streets to I-75/85.
• From Cobb, Gwinnett, or other suburbs: Plan extra time for traffic, especially around peak hours and construction zones.

Parking options at ATL include:

• Domestic Terminal Parking Garages
• Economy lots
• Park-and-ride / off-airport lots with shuttle service

If you park for a Chicago weekend trip or short business visit, economy or off-airport lots can often be more cost-effective.

MARTA to ATL

For many Atlanta travelers, MARTA is the easiest way to avoid traffic and parking altogether.

• Take the Red or Gold Line to the Airport Station, which is directly inside the Domestic Terminal.
• Popular starting stations from around Atlanta:
  • North Springs, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody (North line commuters)
  • Lindbergh Center, Midtown, Arts Center, North Avenue, Five Points
  • Doraville, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, and others along the Gold/Red lines.

Using MARTA can be especially helpful for early morning or evening flights when freeway traffic is unpredictable.

What to Expect Departing From Atlanta to Chicago

Check-In and Security

For flights from ATL to Chicago, it’s wise to:

• Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic departure, especially during:
  • Monday morning rush,
  • Thursday and Friday afternoons,
  • Holiday periods and school breaks.

Both Delta and United, along with other carriers, use the main Domestic Terminal. Check your ticket to know whether you’ll use the North (often United and other carriers) or South (Delta) check-in area.

Security waits at ATL vary, but early preparation can save stress:

• Consider TSA PreCheck if you regularly fly from Atlanta.
• Keep ID and boarding pass ready; ATL security points are busy but well-organized.

Gate Areas and Amenities

From Atlanta, flights to Chicago depart from:

• Concourse A, B, C, D, or T (depending on your airline and time of day).

You can move between concourses on the Plane Train underground, which runs frequently and is generally fast.

Food, coffee, and last-minute needs are widely available in concourses, but during peak times lines may be long. For early-morning flights to Chicago, expect busier coffee spots around 6–8 a.m.

Choosing an Airline From ATL to Chicago

Different airlines serve Chicago from Atlanta in slightly different ways. Factors an Atlanta traveler often considers:

• Nonstop vs. Connecting
  Nonstop from ATL to ORD or MDW is usually faster and simpler.

• Loyalty Programs and Hubs
  If you’re a frequent flyer based in Atlanta, you may lean toward Delta because ATL is its major hub, or choose other carriers if your work travel is tied to particular programs.

• Schedule Fit
  From Atlanta, first-morning and end-of-day flights matter if you’re doing same-day business in Chicago or returning home after meetings.

• Arrival Airport in Chicago

  • ORD (O’Hare): Better if your meetings or hotel are near Schaumburg, Rosemont, or northern suburbs, or if you’re connecting onward.
  • MDW (Midway): Better if you’re staying downtown or near the Loop and want a shorter train/taxi ride.

Baggage, Weather, and Delays: Atlanta to Chicago Realities

Baggage Tips for Atlanta Travelers

• Carry-on if possible for shorter Chicago trips; it makes MARTA or rideshare more manageable on your return to ATL.
• If you check bags, remember which concourse and carousel area you typically use when arriving back to ATL.
• Hang onto your baggage tag; with so many high-volume flights on this route, it’s useful if there’s a mix-up.

Weather Considerations

From an Atlanta perspective, Chicago’s weather can feel dramatically different, especially in winter:

• Winter (roughly Nov–March):
  Snow, strong winds, and low visibility can mean delays or cancellations, particularly at O’Hare.
• Summer:
  Thunderstorms in the Midwest can disrupt flights, just as they do in Atlanta’s summer afternoons.

If you’re booked on tight connections through Chicago or returning to Atlanta for an important event (like a work presentation or family commitment), consider earlier flights in the day to give yourself buffer time.

Ground Transportation in Chicago for Atlanta Arrivals

Thinking ahead about getting from the Chicago airport to your destination helps Atlanta travelers avoid surprises.

From O’Hare (ORD)

Common options:

• CTA Blue Line train – Connects O’Hare to downtown Chicago, running frequently.
• Taxis and rideshares – Widely available; travel time varies with traffic.
• Rental cars – Good if you’re visiting suburbs or multiple sites.

Travelers from Atlanta often compare this to MARTA from ATL: both are direct train connections from the airport to the city core.

From Midway (MDW)

• CTA Orange Line train – Runs from Midway to downtown Chicago.
• Taxis and rideshares – Often slightly shorter ride to central city than from O’Hare.
• Rental cars – Useful for South/Southwest suburbs.

If you’re used to MARTA in Atlanta, you may find Chicago’s CTA lines similarly straightforward once you identify your stop.

Typical Costs and Ways to Save From Atlanta

Prices vary by season, airline, and how early you buy, but Atlanta travelers often notice patterns:

• Weekday business peaks (especially Monday mornings and Thursday/Friday evenings) tend to be more expensive.
• Midweek flights (Tuesday/Wednesday) and midday departures from ATL can sometimes be cheaper.
• Booking well in advance usually gives Atlanta flyers more options for nonstop flights and preferred times.

To manage cost from Atlanta:

• Be flexible with departure times out of ATL.
• Consider alternative Chicago airports (ORD vs. MDW) if your dates allow.
• If you often fly from Atlanta, it may be helpful to sign up for airline accounts so you can track fare changes and mileage.

Special Situations for Atlanta–Chicago Trips

Business Travel From Atlanta

Many Atlanta-area companies have ties to Chicago. If you’re traveling for work:

• Aim for early-morning nonstops from ATL to Chicago to allow same-day meetings.
• Choose a later-evening return to ATL if your company allows, avoiding having to overnight.
• Use mobile boarding passes and TSA PreCheck if approved by your employer to streamline the ATL experience.

Family Visits and Students

Atlanta is home to many students and families with ties to the Midwest:

• For college students flying from Atlanta to Chicago-area schools, packing light helps with public transit use in both cities.
• Families traveling with children from ATL may want nonstop flights to reduce connections and stress.

Sports, Events, and Seasonal Travel

For Atlantans heading to Chicago for:

• Baseball, football, basketball, or hockey games
• Summer festivals or holiday markets

Consider:

• Booking earlier for major event weekends.
• Allowing extra time returning to ATL, especially during winter or around holidays, to account for possible weather disruptions in Chicago.

Practical Pre-Flight Checklist for Atlanta Travelers

Before your flight from Atlanta to Chicago, review:

• ✅ Airport & terminal: Hartsfield–Jackson ATL, Domestic Terminal (North or South).
• ✅ Chicago airport: O’Hare (ORD) vs. Midway (MDW) – and how you’ll reach your hotel or destination.
• ✅ Timing: Plan to arrive at ATL 2 hours early for domestic; add buffer for rush-hour freeway traffic.
• ✅ Transit vs. driving: Decide between MARTA and driving/parking.
• ✅ Weather differences: Pack and dress appropriately, especially if flying from warm Atlanta into a colder Chicago season.
• ✅ Return logistics: Confirm your return flight time to ATL, and how you’ll get home (MARTA, rideshare, or pickup).

With a clear sense of your options from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the differences between O’Hare and Midway, flying from Atlanta to Chicago can be one of the easier, more straightforward trips you make from the city.