$720 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 30/5. 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
Sydney3 stops$1,640
Melbourne
Melbourne3 stops$1,656
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,965
Perth
Perth2 stops$2,071
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,919
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$2,165
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,307
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$2,179
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,204
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$2,128
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$2,745
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$2,197
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$2,630
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,588
Sydney
Sydney3 stops$1,640
Melbourne
Melbourne3 stops$1,656
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,965
Perth
Perth2 stops$2,071
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,919
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$2,165
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,307
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$2,179
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,204
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$2,128
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$2,745
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$2,197
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$2,630
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,588

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

Mon, 14 Sep - Sun, 20 Sep
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:49 - 11:50
ORD
-
SYD
33h 01m
3 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:15 - 10:48
SYD
-
ORD
36h 33m
3 stops
$1,640Multiple Airlines
Wed, 27 May - Sun, 7 Jun
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:55 - 12:05
ORD
-
MEL
38h 10m
3 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:30 - 20:32
MEL
-
ORD
46h 02m
3 stops
$1,656Multiple Airlines
Wed, 26 Aug - Tue, 8 Sep
ANA Logo
17:45 - 09:25
ORD
-
SYD
24h 40m
1 stop
ANA Logo
20:55 - 08:40
SYD
-
ORD
26h 45m
1 stop
$1,714ANA
Wed, 5 Aug - Sun, 30 Aug
ANA Logo
17:45 - 19:10
ORD
-
SYD
34h 25m
1 stop
ANA Logo
11:45 - 04:45
SYD
-
ORD
32h 00m
2 stops
$1,727ANA
Mon, 8 Jun - Mon, 15 Jun
Qantas Airways Logo
15:20 - 09:25
ORD
-
ADL
27h 35m
2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
07:50 - 19:28
ADL
-
ORD
26h 08m
2 stops
$1,919Qantas Airways
Wed, 17 Jun - Wed, 8 Jul
Qantas Airways Logo
17:10 - 11:15
ORD
-
ADL
27h 35m
2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 15:53
ADL
-
ORD
24h 23m
2 stops
$1,924Qantas Airways
Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
09:45 - 14:41
BNE
-
ORD
19h 56m
1 stop
$1,965Air Canada
Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
09:45 - 20:10
BNE
-
ORD
25h 25m
2 stops
$1,969Air Canada
Sun, 7 Jun - Sun, 14 Jun
United Airlines Logo
14:29 - 13:15
ORD
-
CBR
31h 46m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
07:15 - 23:43
CBR
-
ORD
31h 28m
2 stops
$2,128United Airlines
Mon, 12 Oct - Wed, 28 Oct
United Airlines Logo
18:25 - 11:40
ORD
-
CBR
25h 15m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
08:10 - 23:29
CBR
-
ORD
31h 19m
2 stops
$2,398United Airlines
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 November, when tickets cost $157 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are April and February, when the average cost of return tickets is $997 and $522 respectively.

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 5 weeks before departure, which saves you about 10% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 8 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$720
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 22% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (23% more expensive on average)
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Sydney

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.

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 1028 reviews
7.0Food
7.7Boarding
8.1Crew
7.5Comfort
7.2Entertainment
Airline reviews

PREMIUM ECONOMY - excellent !Brilliant new plane. Excellent tv catalogue. Good food. Good communication and service from all friend Australian crew. Good communication from captain. Best travel experience in years.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Apr 2026
SFO - SYD
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

PREMIUM ECONOMY - excellent !Brilliant new plane. Excellent tv catalogue. Good food. Good communication and service from all friend Australian crew. Good communication from captain. Best travel experience in years.

Very good overall. However, your choices of free movies was limited and there was no music Channel???

I couldn't hear all of the announcements. It was nice when they put them on the screen.

This was the worst flight I’ve been on. Getting on the plane where is was 30 degrees outside was hotter on board cabin must’ve been 33 degrees. This is a health hazard. They cannot be doing this to save on fuel. People could die from this!!. Fans and a/c was, off entertainment was off. Poor excuse given. Crew made the excuse that the system didn’t have enough power. They basically were operating on one engine to save on jet fuel till 3 hours later on cruising altitude and they then started the second engine. And finally the cabin was cooled. On a 7hour red eye flight this made it so uncomfortable and impossible to sleep.

My experience was great overall. Tanya was particularly friendly and helpful the entire trip. I was very pleased with her customer service skills. The plane was an older aircraft but the entire way was comfortable with barely any turbulence at all. Qantas should speed up its fleet renovation. Totally recommend using this airline.

Qantas is always subpar beyond comfy chairs for a domestic flight

I liked boarding the plane. The staff were rude, the food was appalling and the chairs the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced

an hour late, then had to disembark on back stairs and take 4 flights up to get to main airport. No warning, and difficulty for those with canes and poor knees.

Well my expórtenle with Qantas it wasn’t that good KLM from Bs Aires was delay Santiago Chile Qantas QF 028 was still in the airport but the crew didn’t opened the door for me soo I lost my fly And I stuck in the airport 13 hrs waiting for next fly by Latam Arline My question is can I have my money back for business class

It was ok, the additional baggage charges were a bit excessive given winter is a time for skiing. To have to pay $600 extra for skis was tantamount to robbery. Airlines should consider sporting goods as baggage. Likewise, they should consider increasing the number of bags allowed on international flights to known ski destinations.

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.