Chicago to Las Vegas Flights

When flying from Chicago to Las Vegas, make sure you check Orbitz.com for sales on flights. Using this site to search for affordable flights can save you enough to afford the vacation of a lifetime. With top-rate hotels and entertainment available in Vegas, you're sure to find plenty of deals.

From Chicago O'Hare

Chicago is home to the second-largest airport in the United States. Chicago O'Hare International is located 17 miles from Chicago's downtown area. It is serviced by over 30 airlines and their affiliates, and it is a major hub of activity for both United Airlines and American Airlines. Chicago's Midway International Airport is just 10 miles from downtown but doesn't run regular flights to Las Vegas.

It's easy to reach O'Hare by train, shuttle, bus, car or bike. Cabs from downtown average $40, while the L train is $2.25 or less. Free 30-day bike parking can be found at the Airport Transit System (ATS). From there, an airport shuttle will take you to your terminal. Parking at O'Hare costs $33 per day in the regular lots, $48 per day in valet lots and $9, $13 and $19 per day in various economy lots.

O'Hare has 25 restaurants, from coffee and snack shops to full-service establishments, that provide a wide range of meal options before your flight. Popular low-cost options include Gold Coast Dogs and Ben & Jerry's.

Bound for Vegas

Chicago residents will soak up the dry heat of sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. It's a big change from the cold, windy capital of Illinois, replacing skyscrapers with towering casino resorts, dancing fountains, art galleries and conservation areas. Las Vegas also features grand theaters built to host Broadway productions, world-famous singers, comedians and magicians.

What to Expect in Vegas

Las Vegas' commercial airport, McCarran International Airport, does business with 34 airlines. These include American Airlines, British Airways, Delta and JetBlue. There is a secondary airport in the area that handles small flights, such as independent pilots offering tours of Vegas by air.

You can get to your hotel by shuttle, city bus or hired car. A taxi to the downtown area costs approximately $22 to $25. Travelers can also take the airport shuttle to the rental car hub behind the McCarran terminals. It is served by 11 companies, including Budget, Alamo and Hertz.

The weather in Vegas can get particularly warm, with temperatures hovering above 100°F for months. The best time for Chicagoans to visit is in winter, when frosty home temperatures are countered by the desert's trend toward the mid-50s. A lack of rain may be an obstacle for Las Vegas residents, but it gives visitors a chance to lounge at the pool for days at a time and tour the area on foot without worrying about getting wet.

Visiting the area's famous hotels is one of the most popular pastimes for Vegas travelers. The impressively large and glitzy casino resorts provide entertainment all on their own. Gambling is the top tourist activity, but watching high rollers can be even more fun. Known worldwide for its entertainment options, this is one town where you can see circuses, major theatrical productions and singing sensations all in one weekend.

Heading back to Chicago

Because of the wide variety of entertainment and sightseeing attractions, chances are you'll be planning your next trip before your first one ends. Let Orbitz.com help by searching for savings on transportation, lodging and entertainment. You may save enough on your trip from Chicago to Las Vegas to go again.