$784 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Australia

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to Australia departing on 18/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Australia

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Sydney
Sydney1 stop$1,331
Melbourne
Melbourne2 stops$1,567
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,435
Perth
Perth2 stops$2,163
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,489
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$1,932
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,042
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$1,978
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$2,226
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,566
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$2,034
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$2,091
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$3,385
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$3,165
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,750
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$3,798
Sydney
Sydney1 stop$1,331
Melbourne
Melbourne2 stops$1,567
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,435
Perth
Perth2 stops$2,163
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,489
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$1,932
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,042
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$1,978
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$2,226
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,566
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$2,034
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$2,091
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$3,385
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$3,165
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,750
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$3,798

Book Cheap Chicago to Australia Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Chicago to Australia that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Chicago to Australia

Wed, 11 Feb - Wed, 4 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
15:10 - 09:00
ORD
-
SYD
24h 50m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
07:05 - 16:38
SYD
-
ORD
26h 33m2 stops
$1,331Qantas Airways
Tue, 27 Jan - Tue, 3 Feb
Qantas Airways Logo
15:10 - 07:25
ORD
-
SYD
23h 15m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
19:15 - 16:49
SYD
-
ORD
38h 34m2 stops
$1,375Qantas Airways
Sun, 25 Jan - Sun, 8 Feb
Air Canada Logo
15:35 - 09:35
ORD
-
SYD
25h 00m1 stop
Air Canada Logo
11:20 - 14:41
SYD
-
ORD
20h 21m1 stop
$1,427Air Canada
Tue, 27 Jan - Mon, 2 Feb
Air Canada Logo
08:45 - 09:35
ORD
-
SYD
31h 50m2 stops
Air Canada Logo
11:20 - 16:42
SYD
-
ORD
22h 22m1 stop
$1,433Air Canada
Tue, 10 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
08:45 - 08:45
ORD
-
BNE
32h 00m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:05 - 14:41
BNE
-
ORD
24h 36m2 stops
$1,471Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Jan - Mon, 2 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:35 - 15:15
ORD
-
MEL
30h 40m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:40 - 14:41
MEL
-
ORD
25h 01m2 stops
$1,583Multiple Airlines
Mon, 19 Jan - Mon, 2 Feb
United Airlines Logo
13:55 - 09:30
ORD
-
ADL
27h 05m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
14:55 - 20:05
ADL
-
ORD
21h 40m1 stop
$1,735United Airlines
Sun, 25 Jan - Sun, 8 Feb
Delta Logo
13:26 - 06:50
MDW
-
SYD
24h 24m2 stops
Delta Logo
10:40 - 22:22
SYD
-
MDW
28h 42m2 stops
$1,738Delta
Mon, 26 Jan - Mon, 2 Feb
United Airlines Logo
18:29 - 09:30
ORD
-
ADL
22h 31m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
14:55 - 20:05
ADL
-
ORD
21h 40m1 stop
$1,747United Airlines
Wed, 28 Jan - Sun, 8 Feb
Delta Logo
12:48 - 08:20
MDW
-
BNE
27h 32m2 stops
Delta Logo
10:40 - 22:22
BNE
-
MDW
27h 42m2 stops
$1,747Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to Australia flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Chicago to Australia to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly, and much more.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Australia?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to Australia, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Chicago to Australia is August, when tickets cost $1,281 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and January, when the average cost of return tickets is $2,085 and $1,693 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Australia?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago to Australia clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

For Chicago to Australia, Friday is the cheapest day to fly on average and Thursday is the most expensive. Flying from Australia back to Chicago, the best deals are generally found on Monday, with Sunday being the most expensive.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Chicago to Australia?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to Australia, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below-average price on a flight from Chicago to Australia, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 24% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 19 weeks before departure.

Find deals

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$784
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 21% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (48% more expensive on average)
Flight from Chicago to Perth

FAQs - booking Australia flights

  • As a U.S. citizen, do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

    Yes, U.S. citizens need to obtain a tourist visa prior to flying to Australia. This visa is an Electronic Travel Authority that can be applied for online with a small fee. The approval process for an ETA can take up to about one day and you can expect to pay around 20 AUD (15 USD) for this service.

  • Are there non-stop flights from Chicago to Australia?

    Currently, there aren’t any available direct flights between Chicago and Australia. However, Air Canada and Qantas both offer routes with just one layover in either Vancouver or Los Angeles. These flights depart from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and arrive at both Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and Brisbane International Airport (BNE).

  • Which is the best airport to fly into to go to the Great Barrier Reef?

    The Great Barrier Reef in east Australia is the world’s largest coral reef that attracts plenty of divers from all over. The closest international airport to the Great Barrier Reef is the one in Cairns. However, there are more flight options from Chicago to the city of Brisbane. From there, travelers can take a domestic flight to Hamilton Island or a ferry to see the Great Barrier Reef.

  • Is there public transportation from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to the city center?

    Yes, there is public transportation operating from the main Australian airport in Sydney to the city center. Travelers can hop on the AirportLink T8 train that stops at the international terminal and connects with the city loop route. The trip takes under half an hour and you can expect to pay about 20 AUD (15 USD).

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to Australia?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Chicago to Australia.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Chicago to Australia?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Chicago to Australia is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Chicago to Australia?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from Chicago to Australia with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Chicago to Australia?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from Chicago to Australia up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Australia?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Australia is generally in the evening, when retur flights cost $1,772 on average. Morning departures are around 100% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Australia is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $2,435.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Australia

  • For more options, and generally more affordable airfares, consider booking flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to the main hub in Australia, Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). From here, you’ll be near Australia’s most iconic site, the Sydney Opera House.
  • Long-haul flights like the one from Chicago to Australia can be stressful. Relax or blow off some steam before boarding your flight out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The airport offers a couple amenities, such as a yoga room, as well as a health club with a fitness center and a pool.
  • When traveling to Australia from Chicago, you’ll need to exchange some of your USD into Australian dollars (AUD). You can do this at currency exchange desks at Australia’s main international airports like Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and Brisbane International Airport (BNE).
  • In Australia, children under the age of seven need to be in an approved child seat restraint in any vehicle. Under the age of four, the child seat must be rear-facing. If you’re planning on renting a car, you can check beforehand to see if the agency provides child seats.
  • If you’re traveling to Australia with a pet or a service animal, there are pet relief areas located throughout the Chicago O’Hare International Airport for your four-legged friend to go to the bathroom before the long flight.

Reviews of the top airline flying from Chicago to Australia

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Chicago to Australia? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.5
Qantas AirwaysOverall score based on 946 reviews
7.0Food
8.1Crew
7.7Boarding
7.5Comfort
7.2Entertainment
Airline reviews

Flight was canceled. I was not alerted. It was only kayak that alerted me

2.0 MediocreGerard, Nov 2025
CBR - BNE
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

Flight was canceled. I was not alerted. It was only kayak that alerted me

Flight was 2.5 hours late leaving. We spent 50 minutes of that sitting on the plane with no explanation. They did reduce the time in the air so we arrived a little less late which was something. The cheese and crackers were okay but the wine was terrible.

Couldn't access entertainment on app as said in an email

Excellent as always, I won't fly to Australia, and back to the US on any other airline. The flight crew is always top notch, and have a way to make one feel extra special. Thank you for your service, I would rate Qantas Airways a 10+.

After already paying for excess luggage prior to flight, i was advised AT check in that i had to pay $816 or forfeit my flight! The lady at the counter was SO rude and had already started offboarding me when i said i would pay it after asking her three times for the exact amount! Have lodged a formal complaint yet heard nothing. Will not ever travel via Qantas again

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

One of the best Qantas business flights I've had. Quality product

Business class points redemption - good value for points paid, dubious value if out of your own pocket, domestic class business product okay for this length of flight. The flight left and arrived on time, crew were good, aircraft was a bit old and tired, but still miles ahead of their competitors in Virgin and Jetstar.

Airline running better than post Covid, proper boarding process now implemented, some aircraft feeling a bit old and tired, crew fine, online experience better.

Five hour flight instead of four hours due to westerly headwinds which wasn’t the fault of Qantas !

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to Australia

Cabin class types available on flights to Australia

Cabin classes available on flights to Australia. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.
First Class flights from Chicago to Australia
Business Class flights from Chicago to Australia
Prem Econ Class flights from Chicago to Australia
Economy class flights from Chicago to Australia