$44 Cheap flight deals from Chicago (CHI) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

Known as the "Venice of America" because of its extensive canal system, Fort Lauderdale boasts sunny beaches and a variety of cultural attractions and restaurants. When you book low-cost flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale through Orbitz.com, you can also find great deals on hotel accommodations and car rentals.

About Chicago, Illinois

With approximately 2.7 million residents, Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third largest metropolitan area in the United States. The city is served by two airports: Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. O'Hare is located 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, and Chicago Midway lies approximately 8 miles southwest of the Loop.

O'Hare is the second busiest airport in the world. Most major airlines provide nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale from O'Hare, including American, Delta, United and Spirit Airlines. Both short- and long-term parking options are available in the parking garage located inside Terminal 2 and in Lots B and C located outside of the terminal. The parking rate for the garage is $4 for three hours or less or $51 per day. The other lots cost $4 for up to three hours or $31 per day. However, if you plan to leave your car parked for more than 30 days, you must make arrangements in advance. If you don't want to leave your car at the airport, you can travel to O'Hare by train, bus or taxi. Train fare to the airport is $2.25 or less, depending on where you catch the train. A taxi trip from downtown to the airport costs approximately $40. If you want to grab a bite to eat before boarding your plane, the airport houses a variety of fast-food and full-service restaurants, including McDonald's, Starbuck's and Wolfgang Puck.

Midway International is a major hub for Southwest Airlines; Delta, Frontier and AirTran also provide service. Long- and short-term parking are available in the terminal garage and in the economy lot. The hourly parking rate in the garage starts at $5, with daily rates of $31 per day on weekdays and $29 on weekends. Rates for the economy lot start at $2 for the first hour, and the daily rate is $14 per day. The CTA provides bus and train services to Midway International from locations throughout the city. You can also take a taxi to the airport. Dining options at the airport include Gold Coast Dogs, King Wah Express and Tuscany.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Located approximately 23 miles north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a major yachting center and tourist destination in southern Florida. The city is named for a series of forts that were constructed during the Second Seminole War. The forts were named after Major William Lauderdale, who commanded the soldiers who built the first stockade in 1838.

Exploring Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale's main airport is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is located approximately 3 miles southwest of the city's central business district. Major carriers that provide flights from Chicago into the city include Southwest, Spirit Airlines and Delta. Miami International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport also serve Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood offers numerous ground transportation options for travel into the city. Broward County Transit (BCT) provides daily bus service from the airport. The bus stop is located at the Rental Car Center. The airport also provides a free shuttle service to the Tri-Rail commuter train station, which provides transportation to locations throughout Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Many area hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport. Taxis are available 24 hours a day at metered rates. Check in at one of the taxi podiums located outside of the baggage claim areas in all terminals to get transportation into the city. Twelve rental car agencies are located in the Rental Car Center located next to Terminal 1, including Alamo, Budget, National and Payless.

Fort Lauderdale has a tropical rainforest climate. Throughout the year, there is little variation in the temperatures, which range between the high 50s and high 80s. The city does not have a dry season; it typically receives more than 2 inches of rainfall a month. The best time to visit is between December and February because these are the driest months. The average highs hover in the high 70s at this time, and you will also miss the spring break and summer crowds at the beaches. Because of its climate, Fort Lauderdale offers many venues for outdoor activities, including beaches and parks. The city features a variety of bars, nightclubs and restaurants as well. Other attractions include the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Butterfly World and the Museum of Science & Discovery.

Experience Sunny Fort Lauderdale

If you want to take a break from a cold Chicago winter, soak up the sun in Fort Lauderdale. When you use Orbitz.com to plan a vacation in Fort Lauderdale, you can find sales on airline tickets for flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale and discounts on tickets to area attractions and events.