Finding Cheap Plane Tickets from Chicago to Atlanta: An Atlanta-Focused Guide

Looking for cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Atlanta? Whether you live in Atlanta and are flying home from Chicago, planning a round trip, or helping friends and family visit you, it helps to understand how this specific route works and how to keep costs down when flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to getting the best value on this very popular route.

Key Things to Know About Flights from Chicago to Atlanta

The Chicago–Atlanta route is a major corridor served by multiple airlines with many nonstop flights each day. For Atlanta travelers, that usually means:

• Plenty of flight times throughout the day, including early morning and late evening
• Competitive pricing because several airlines fly the route
• A flight time of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the airline and conditions

Most flights will arrive at ATL, located at:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main info line: (800) 897-1910

If you live in or near Atlanta, this is almost always going to be your arrival airport from Chicago, and the place you’ll depart from on your return leg.

Which Chicago Airports Fly to Atlanta?

Chicago has two major commercial airports:

• O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Large global hub with many nonstop flights to ATL
• Midway International Airport (MDW) – Smaller, often used by low-cost carriers that also serve Atlanta

For cheap tickets, it’s worth checking both Chicago airports. Sometimes:

• ORD → ATL may have more frequent flights and competitive prices
• MDW → ATL can occasionally be cheaper, especially on certain carriers or off-peak times

If you’re an Atlanta resident planning a round trip, you can often mix and match:

• Fly ATL → ORD, return MDW → ATL (or vice versa) if that combo is cheaper and travel times work.

Best Times to Find Cheap Chicago–Atlanta Flights

While exact prices change all the time, travelers commonly notice a few patterns on this route:

1. Be Flexible with Travel Days

On the Chicago–Atlanta route, midweek flights are often more affordable than peak weekend days. In many cases, this means:

• Cheaper: Tuesday, Wednesday, sometimes Saturday
• More expensive: Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons/evenings, and around holidays

If you live in Atlanta and your schedule is flexible, consider:

• Flying back from Chicago on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Sunday
• Shifting your trip by a day or two if it meaningfully drops the fare

2. Watch the Time of Day ⏰

On busy business routes like Chicago–Atlanta, early morning and late-night flights can sometimes be less expensive than peak mid-day departures. This can work well if:

• You’re an Atlanta local who doesn’t mind a late-night arrival at ATL (MARTA and rideshares still operate late, but be sure to check specific schedules).
• You’re trying to squeeze a short Chicago trip into a weekend and need to maximize time on the ground.

How Far Ahead Should You Book?

For a route as busy as Chicago–Atlanta:

• Booking too late (days before departure) can be pricey, especially around major events, holidays, or peak weekends.
• Booking a moderate amount in advance is often a sweet spot. Many travelers find that a few weeks to a couple of months ahead can bring better deals than last-minute purchases.

If you’re an Atlanta traveler:

• For major events in Chicago (festivals, big sports weekends), try to lock in your ticket earlier than usual.
• For day-to-day travel, check prices early, then monitor them for a short period before committing, as long as you’re not too close to your preferred dates.

Atlanta-Specific Tips for Saving Money on This Route

1. Compare Total Trip Cost, Not Just Ticket Price

For someone based in Atlanta, a “cheap” ticket from Chicago to Atlanta might not be so cheap if it causes extra costs on the ground. When comparing fares, think about:

• Arrival time at ATL – Will you need a late-night rideshare instead of cheaper MARTA?
• Baggage fees – Especially if you’re checking luggage and returning to Atlanta with more than you left with
• Parking at ATL if you drove to the airport before heading to Chicago

Sometimes, a slightly more expensive ticket with better timing can save money overall once you factor in ground transportation and fees.

2. Use MARTA and On-Site Options at ATL 🚇

If you’re returning home to Atlanta:

• The MARTA Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal (North and South).
• From there, you can ride MARTA trains to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and other parts of the city at a relatively low cost.

This means you can:

• Choose a cheaper flight arriving at a reasonable hour, then use MARTA instead of a more expensive taxi or rideshare.
• Save on parking at ATL by taking MARTA to the airport when starting your trip to Chicago.

MARTA Headquarters (for in-person info or Breeze Card assistance)
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer information line: (404) 848-5000

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights: What’s Cheaper to Atlanta?

Because Chicago–Atlanta is such a heavily traveled route, there are many nonstop flights each day. Nonstops are usually:

• Faster and more convenient
• Sometimes more expensive than one-stop itineraries, but not always

When looking for cheap tickets:

• Start by checking nonstop fares between Chicago and Atlanta.
• If those are unusually high for your dates, then look at one-stop options that still arrive at ATL.

However, for such a short route, many Atlanta travelers prefer to:

• Pay a small premium for a nonstop
• Avoid the risk of delays or missed connections that can come with adding another airport along the way

Practical Price-Saving Strategies for Atlanta Travelers

Here are general approaches Atlanta-based or Atlanta-bound travelers often use to keep flight costs down:

1. Be Flexible with Airports and Dates

• Check both ORD–ATL and MDW–ATL if you’re planning round-trip tickets.
• Look at +/- 1–3 days from your ideal Chicago departure and Atlanta arrival dates.

2. Consider One-Way Combinations

On this particular route, sometimes you can save by:

• Booking one airline Chicago → Atlanta
• Booking another airline Atlanta → Chicago on the way out (or vice versa)

This flexibility can open up:

• Cheaper single-leg fares
• Better flight times for your return to Atlanta

3. Travel Light When Possible

If your ticket doesn’t include checked bags, baggage fees can add up quickly. For Atlanta-based travelers, this can matter most when:

• You’re flying to Chicago for just a short visit and don’t need much luggage
• You can comfortably travel with a carry-on and personal item

In those cases, you can often:

• Choose a lower base fare
• Skip or reduce baggage charges on your return to Atlanta

Typical Options for Getting Home from ATL After Your Chicago Flight

When comparing arrival times and fares, remember how you’ll get from ATL back to your home, hotel, or destination in metro Atlanta.

Here’s a simple overview:

*Relative to each other; actual prices vary.

How Atlanta Events Can Affect Your Return Flight Prices

While your Chicago → Atlanta price is mostly driven by what’s happening in Chicago and general route demand, big events in Atlanta can also nudge prices, especially if you’re buying a round-trip ticket starting in Atlanta.

Events such as:

• Major sports championships
• Large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Big concerts or festivals around Downtown, Midtown, or the Mercedes-Benz Stadium area

can sometimes push ATL-related fares higher because more people are flying in or out around the same time. If you’re an Atlanta local:

• Look ahead at the Atlanta event calendar when picking your travel dates.
• If possible, avoid peak event weekends when planning your Chicago trip.

What to Expect When You Land at ATL from Chicago

If you’re flying Chicago → Atlanta, here’s a quick rundown so you can choose flights and arrival times with confidence:

• You’ll arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
• If you’re on a domestic flight, you’ll typically:
  • Deplane into a concourse
  • Ride the Plane Train or walk to baggage claim and ground transportation
• From there, you can:
  • Connect to MARTA rail from the Domestic Terminal
  • Use rideshare, taxi, hotel shuttles, or other ground transport options

This means when shopping for cheap plane tickets, you can safely choose:

• Flights with tight but reasonable arrival times, knowing ATL is relatively efficient for domestic arrivals.
• Later evening flights as long as your ground transport option is still available at that hour.

Quick Checklist for Finding Cheap Chicago–Atlanta Plane Tickets

For someone in Atlanta planning this route (either one-way or round-trip), here’s a compact checklist:

• Check both ORD and MDW options out of Chicago.
• Compare nonstop vs. 1-stop fares, but remember the route is short, so nonstop is often worth a slight premium.
• Aim for midweek travel dates when possible.
• Look closely at early morning or late-night flights for potential savings.
• Consider one-way combinations instead of a single round-trip booking.
• Factor in baggage fees, not just base fare.
• Remember your Atlanta ground transportation costs and schedules when choosing arrival time.
• For big holidays or major Atlanta/Chicago events, book earlier than you normally would.

Keeping these Atlanta-specific factors in mind will help you spot when a Chicago–Atlanta fare is genuinely a good deal and choose flights that fit your schedule, your budget, and your plans on the ground once you land at ATL.