$614 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 1/12. 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$1,287
Melbourne
Melbourne2 stops$1,657
Brisbane
Brisbane2 stops$1,654
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,757
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,227
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$2,027
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,380
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$2,244
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$1,959
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,443
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$3,320
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$2,506
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$2,640
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,871
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$2,437
Sydney
Sydney1 stop$1,287
Melbourne
Melbourne2 stops$1,657
Brisbane
Brisbane2 stops$1,654
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,757
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,227
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$2,027
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$2,380
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$2,244
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$1,959
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,443
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$3,320
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$2,506
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$2,640
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,871
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$2,437

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

mar, 17 feb - lun, 23 mar
Air Canada Logo
13:05 - 16:20ORD-ADL
34h 45m2 stops
Air Canada Logo
06:10 - 19:53ADL-ORD
29h 13m2 stops
$1,227Air Canada
Find Deal
mar, 17 feb - ven, 27 feb
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 22:30ORD-ADL
38h 20m2 stops
Air Canada Logo
06:10 - 16:38ADL-ORD
26h 58m2 stops
$1,230Air Canada
Find Deal
sab, 17 gen - mar, 27 gen
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:40 - 17:40ORD-SYD
33h 00m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:20 - 14:41SYD-ORD
20h 21m1 stop
$1,299Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
sab, 17 gen - mar, 27 gen
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:40 - 17:40ORD-SYD
33h 00m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:20 - 22:05SYD-ORD
27h 45m2 stops
$1,308Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
sab, 15 nov - lun, 24 nov
Qantas Airways Logo
18:04 - 06:10ORD-SYD
43h 06m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
17:45 - 17:45SYD-ORD
41h 00m1 stop
$1,368Qantas Airways
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dom, 7 dic - dom, 14 dic
Qantas Airways Logo
08:35 - 06:10ORD-SYD
28h 35m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
11:20 - 21:25SYD-ORD
27h 05m1 stop
$1,399Qantas Airways
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dom, 16 nov - dom, 23 nov
American Airlines Logo
14:01 - 05:00ORD-BNE
22h 59m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
09:40 - 15:28BNE-ORD
21h 48m1 stop
$1,909American Airlines
Find Deal
dom, 7 dic - dom, 21 dic
American Airlines Logo
11:45 - 05:45ORD-BNE
26h 00m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:10 - 17:28BNE-ORD
21h 18m2 stops
$1,913American Airlines
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sab, 11 apr - sab, 25 apr
Fiji Airways Logo
18:45 - 12:20ORD-CBR
26h 35m2 stops
Fiji Airways Logo
13:20 - 21:16CBR-ORD
22h 56m2 stops
$1,959Fiji Airways
Find Deal
sab, 11 apr - sab, 25 apr
Fiji Airways Logo
18:45 - 12:20ORD-CBR
26h 35m2 stops
Fiji Airways Logo
07:05 - 21:16CBR-ORD
29h 11m3 stops
$2,104Fiji Airways
Find Deal
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 $1,290 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and January, when the average cost of return tickets is $2,077 and $1,709 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 26% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 23 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$614
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 21% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (43% 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.

  • 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 $1,788 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 $2,458.

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 925 reviews
7.0Food
7.7Boarding
7.2Entertainment
7.5Comfort
8.2Crew
Airline reviews

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

2.0 MediocreR, Oct 2025WLG - BNE
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

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 !

The wifi was out. Otherwise it was great flight. Richard, as CSM, was excellent.

Was bumped to a later flight because of inefficiency on part of the airline.

The Emerits/Qantas flight was cancelled to Wellington. We need a refund. Had to buy another airline ticket. How do we get the refund. Still not in Wellington.

Delayed QF59 flight once again, Qantas doesn't fail in maintaining there delayed departures and arrivals. USB points do not work nor do the power point sockets on the plane, Qantas staff admitted that on the flight. Don't expect to your charge devices. Saving grace, was the ice cream. Bottom line, if you expect to fly to HND and make it on time avoid Qantas and if you're interested in ice cream - visit 7/11.

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.

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