Cheap Flights from Chicago to Rome
Chicago (ORD) → Rome (FCO) · 8–13 hours
Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Rome (FCO) are operated by Delta, United, American, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France–KLM among others, with nonstop from the major gateways, or a single connection through a European hub. Total journey time is typically 8–13 hours. You depart from Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) and arrive at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO).
| Departure airport | Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) |
|---|---|
| Arrival airport | Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) |
| Main airlines | Delta, United, American, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France–KLM |
| Routing | Nonstop from the major gateways, or a single connection through a European hub |
| Journey time | 8–13 hours |
| When to book | Two to five months ahead for summer travel and six to eight weeks for the rest of the year; January and February are the cheapest months on this corridor by a clear margin |
Flying out of Chicago O'Hare
Chicago O'Hare is United's principal hub and one of the few US airports with meaningful nonstop reach in three directions at once — Europe, the Gulf and Asia. For the Midwest that matters more than it sounds: a traveller from Ohio, Michigan or Wisconsin who would otherwise connect twice can usually reach a single-stop itinerary out of ORD. The Devon Avenue corridor and the western suburbs around Naperville and Schaumburg make this one of the heaviest South Asian travel markets in the country, which keeps competition — and therefore consolidator inventory — unusually good on India routes.
What to know before you fly to Rome
Entry requirements for US travellers
US citizens can travel to Italy and the wider Schengen Area without a visa for short stays. The EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced and will eventually apply to US travellers — check whether it is in force for your dates on the EU's official ETIAS site rather than assuming either way.
Best time to go
April to May and September to October are the sweet spot: warm, walkable and far less crowded than high summer. July and August are hot and expensive. Mid-January to early March is the cheapest stretch of the year and Rome is still Rome in the rain.
Airports and arrival
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) handles essentially all long-haul traffic; Ciampino (CIA) is small and mostly low-cost European. The express train from FCO reaches Termini in about half an hour.
Baggage
One-stop itineraries through another European hub can change baggage rules between legs, particularly when the second leg is on a low-cost partner. We confirm one allowance for the whole ticket.
Airlines from Chicago to Rome
Itineraries offer nonstop from the major gateways, or a single connection through a European hub.
Getting the best price to Rome
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Chicago to Rome — frequently asked questions
Fares on the Chicago–Rome route vary widely by season and how far ahead you book. We do not publish an estimate we have not measured for this pair; call our agents and they will quote the live consolidator fare for your dates.
Carriers on this route include Delta, United, American, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France–KLM. Others serve it on one-stop itineraries, and the cheapest is not always a name you would expect — the lowest fare we have tracked here was on a carrier outside that list more than once. Itineraries offer nonstop from the major gateways, or a single connection through a European hub, and total journey time runs about 8–13 hours. Which carrier is cheapest changes with the season and the fare bucket rather than staying fixed, which is why we compare them all on every quote.
Plan on 8–13 hours from Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO), including time on the ground if your itinerary connects.
Book two to five months ahead for summer travel and six to eight weeks for the rest of the year; January and February are the cheapest months on this corridor by a clear margin.
Yes — this route has nonstop service, with nonstop from the major gateways, or a single connection through a European hub. Nonstop is not always the cheapest option: a one-stop itinerary on the same dates is frequently a few hundred dollars less, and on a journey of 8–13 hours that trade is worth pricing rather than assuming. Frequencies change by season, so call us for what is actually flying on your dates.
O'Hare (ORD) handles essentially all of Chicago's international traffic; Midway (MDW) is domestic and mostly Southwest. For long-haul the choice is made for you, but if your itinerary starts with a domestic positioning flight it is worth checking whether it lands at the same airport your international departure leaves from — a Midway arrival and an O'Hare departure is a cross-city transfer, not a connection.
Less than on the long-haul Asian routes, honestly — transatlantic economy is the most competitive market in aviation and the public fares are genuinely keen. Where we do earn our place is on the fare rules: basic economy on this corridor is restrictive in ways that are easy to miss, and the fare that includes a bag and a free change is frequently only a little more. SkyKaro's agents are reachable 24/7, and nothing is charged until an agent has confirmed the itinerary and the price with you.