London to Chicago flights

How long is the flight from London to Chicago?

The flight duration is nine hours from London to Chicago on a direct flight path. There are frequent departures on many airlines from London.

What documentation do I need to fly to Chicago from England?

UK citizens will need a passport that's valid at least six months after the end of their stay in the United States. You'll also need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). It's a simple, cheap online process.

Is there a time change from London to Chicago?

The time difference is six hours between Chicago and the UK.

What are the most important things to pack in my suitcase when travelling to Chicago?

As with all city breaks, comfortable walking shoes are ideal for exploring the sights. There's more of a difference in the seasons here too, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. That said, trips around December allow you to do your Christmas shopping on the famous Magnificent Mile.

• British Airways, dependable and with a penchant for delivering top service.
• American Airlines, the world's largest airline by fleet size and passengers carried.
• United Airlines, another staple of the major American carriers.
• Lufthansa, Germany's flagship airline.
• Norwegian Air, a superb national carrier.

Opodo is an online travel agent that makes it easy to find cheap direct flights for your holidays, whether domestic flights or further afield. Simply enter your destination and dates and you'll see the best deals on airfares at the top. You can also browse other flight times as you wish. Last-minute tickets are also highlighted, an excellent choice for the spontaneous traveller.

• June sees Chicago bathed in sunshine, yet is comfortably before the peak summer season.
• September also catches the end of the warm weather and tends to be quieter than August.
• December is excellent for Christmas holidays in the snow, and shopping or checking out the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
• February is one of the cheapest times to go and still makes for a wonderful holiday when you wrap up for it.

There are five major airports in London: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City. Most direct flights from the city to Chicago depart from Heathrow and Gatwick.

Useful information about Heathrow Airport

This airport is approximately 16 miles to the west of central London and offers plenty of different transport options for reaching it.

How to get to the airport:

• By Tube – Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, and Heathrow Terminal 5 are all stops on the Piccadilly line. It's roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the centre of London.
• By train – the Heathrow Express takes just 15 to 30 minutes to the terminals from Paddington Station.
• By taxi – expect the journey to take around 30 or 40 minutes, but leave extra time for traffic, especially in rush hour.
• By coach – services from Victoria Coach Station offer frequent services throughout the day. Expect the journey to take at least 35 minutes or more.

Services: The airport is open 24/7 and offers unlimited free Wi-Fi. There are baby changing facilities and numerous smoking areas marked outside the terminals. There is an impressive selection of shops and dining and drinking options.

Useful information about Gatwick Airport

Gatwick is also easily reached from the centre of London by a number of transport options.

How to get to the airport:

• By train – the Gatwick Express runs from London Victoria to the airport and takes just 30 minutes.
• By coach – from Victoria Coach Station, services take approximately 90 minutes to arrive at Gatwick.
• By taxi – expect journey times of up to two hours, although this can be longer in rush hour.

Services: open 24 hours a day, and with 90 minutes' free Wi-Fi. You'll also find baby changing services, many smoking areas outside the terminals, and plenty of round-the-clock food options plus shops.

The majority of flights from London arrive at O'Hare International Airport.

How to get to the airport:

• By train – the Blue Line trains offer economical services to O'Hare, taking around 45 minutes to get to downtown.
• By coach – Go Airport Express departs every 10 to 15 minutes and takes around 50 minutes.
• By taxi – it takes approximately 50 minutes with taxi ranks at the lower level curb front outside of baggage claim.

Services: open 24 hours a day, and with unlimited free Wi-Fi. You'll find baby changing services, a number of smoking areas outside the terminals, and a wide choice of eateries and shops.

• Observe the city from atop the huge Willis Tower, on the 103rd floor!
• Take a photo of your distorted reflection in the famous metal 'bean' in Cloud Gate.
• Go for a stroll or do some ice skating at Millennium Park.
• Enjoy family-friendly entertainment such as rides and fireworks shows at Navy Pier.
• See the former Obama family home at Hyde Park.