$859 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Australia – Compare and Save

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 2/11. 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.
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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$1,743
Melbourne
Melbourne1 stop$1,236
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,206
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,716
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,762
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$1,737
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$1,798
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$1,714
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$1,783
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$1,874
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$1,766
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$1,757
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$1,904
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$1,962
Broome
Broome3 stops$2,762
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$1,911
Sydney
Sydney1 stop$1,743
Melbourne
Melbourne1 stop$1,236
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,206
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,716
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,762
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$1,737
Cairns
Cairns2 stops$1,798
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$1,714
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$1,783
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$1,874
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$1,766
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$1,757
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$1,904
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$1,962
Broome
Broome3 stops$2,762
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$1,911

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

Fri, 11 Sep - Fri, 18 Sep
Qatar Airways Logo
19:20 - 17:30
ORD
-
BNE
31h 10m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
22:10 - 15:05
BNE
-
ORD
31h 55m
1 stop
$1,206Qatar Airways
Fri, 23 Oct - Sat, 7 Nov
Qatar Airways Logo
19:20 - 17:50
ORD
-
MEL
30h 30m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
23:40 - 14:30
MEL
-
ORD
31h 50m
1 stop
$1,236Qatar Airways
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
10:15 - 14:43
BNE
-
ORD
19h 28m
1 stop
$1,521Air Canada
Mon, 10 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 11:05
ORD
-
MEL
28h 25m
2 stops
Air Canada Logo
20:40 - 14:36
MEL
-
ORD
32h 56m
2 stops
$1,540Air Canada
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Qantas Airways Logo
11:49 - 05:00
ORD
-
BNE
26h 11m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
20:35 - 14:20
BNE
-
ORD
32h 45m
1 stop
$1,544Qantas Airways
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
10:15 - 14:43
BNE
-
ORD
19h 28m
1 stop
$1,545Air Canada
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Air Canada Logo
11:05 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
29h 00m
2 stops
Air Canada Logo
10:15 - 14:43
BNE
-
ORD
19h 28m
1 stop
$1,548Air Canada
Mon, 10 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Qantas Airways Logo
15:54 - 05:00
ORD
-
MEL
22h 06m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 17:47
MEL
-
ORD
23h 02m
1 stop
$1,550Qantas Airways
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
10:15 - 14:43
BNE
-
ORD
19h 28m
1 stop
$1,551Air Canada
Tue, 8 Sep - Tue, 15 Sep
Air Canada Logo
15:40 - 07:05
ORD
-
BNE
24h 25m
1 stop
Air Canada Logo
10:15 - 14:43
BNE
-
ORD
19h 28m
1 stop
$1,552Air Canada
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 February, when tickets cost $1,809 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, when the average cost of return tickets is $2,483 and $2,453 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 15% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 6 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$859
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 14% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (18% 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 1073 reviews
7.7Boarding
8.1Crew
7.0Food
7.4Comfort
7.2Entertainment
Airline reviews

Boarding was effortless, the food was outstanding, the seats in Premium Economy were extremely comfortable, and the staff and crew were excellent.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, June 2026
DFW - MEL
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

Boarding was effortless, the food was outstanding, the seats in Premium Economy were extremely comfortable, and the staff and crew were excellent.

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.

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

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

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

Loved the staff. The economy seats could have been bigger.

The food was terrible. And the flight attendants were very rude. One flight attendant wouldn’t help a passenger lift their carry-on. Another flight attendant wouldn’t give a man an extra blanket. And they walked by not even looking at the passengers to see if they needed a glass of water.

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

I disliked the fact that they forced people to put up their seats during meal service

Headphone jacks worked poorly, seat recline was broken. Planes were rundown.

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.