$646 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 7/6. 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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Best Australia Flight Deals from Chicago

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Sydney
Sydney2 stops$1,685
Melbourne
Melbourne3 stops$1,502
Brisbane
Brisbane2 stops$1,601
Perth
Perth1 stop$2,143
Adelaide
Adelaide3 stops$1,846
Coolangatta
Coolangatta2 stops$2,434
Cairns
Cairns3 stops$1,480
Hobart
Hobart2 stops$2,780
Canberra
Canberra2 stops$2,584
Darwin
Darwin2 stops$2,708
Maroochydore
Maroochydore2 stops$2,686
Launceston
Launceston2 stops$3,367
Townsville
Townsville2 stops$2,903
Proserpine
Proserpine2 stops$3,572
Mackay
Mackay2 stops$2,914
Broome
Broome2 stops$3,263

Cheap Flight Deals from Chicago to Australia (CHI-AU0)

 
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.

Recent return flight deals from Chicago to Australia

Recommended return flight deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from Chicago to Australia.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
 Logo
11:45 - 11:25ORD-CNS
32h 40m3 stops
 Logo
12:25 - 06:51CNS-ORD
33h 26m2 stops
$1,481
Find Deal
Thu, 5 Jun - Thu, 12 Jun
 Logo
06:20 - 11:25ORD-CNS
38h 05m2 stops
 Logo
12:25 - 11:40CNS-ORD
38h 15m2 stops
$1,490
Find Deal
Thu, 5 Jun - Thu, 12 Jun
ANA Logo
17:45 - 19:15ORD-SYD
34h 30m1 stop
ANA Logo
12:50 - 08:40SYD-ORD
35h 50m1 stop
$1,770ANA
Find Deal
Mon, 8 Sep - Mon, 13 Oct
ANA Logo
11:00 - 19:15ORD-SYD
41h 15m2 stops
ANA Logo
12:50 - 08:40SYD-ORD
35h 50m1 stop
$1,778ANA
Find Deal
Mon, 8 Sep - Mon, 13 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
09:12 - 06:45ORD-MEL
30h 33m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
11:55 - 19:04MEL-ORD
22h 09m1 stop
$2,098Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Sun, 29 Jun - Wed, 9 Jul
Qantas Airways Logo
15:12 - 06:45ORD-MEL
24h 33m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 15:56MEL-ORD
21h 11m1 stop
$2,107Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Tue, 1 Jul - Mon, 14 Jul
United Airlines Logo
16:20 - 08:15ORD-MEL
24h 55m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
09:30 - 23:59MEL-ORD
29h 29m1 stop
$2,220United Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, 15 Jun - Sun, 29 Jun
Air Canada Logo
10:40 - 07:20ORD-SYD
29h 40m3 stops
Air Canada Logo
09:20 - 20:11SYD-ORD
25h 51m2 stops
$2,222Air Canada
Find Deal
Tue, 2 Sep - Wed, 24 Sep
Air Canada Logo
10:40 - 07:20ORD-SYD
29h 40m3 stops
Air Canada Logo
09:20 - 08:01SYD-ORD
37h 41m3 stops
$2,231Air Canada
Find Deal
Tue, 2 Sep - Wed, 24 Sep
United Airlines Logo
16:48 - 08:15ORD-MEL
24h 27m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
10:55 - 21:08MEL-ORD
25h 13m1 stop
$2,253United Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, 18 Jun - Wed, 25 Jun

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 time of day to fly to Australia?

The average price for all round-trip flights from Chicago to Australia depending on the time of departure, clicked by users on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
The cheapest time of day to fly to Australia is generally in the evening, when retur flights cost $1,180 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 $1,621.

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 $1,351 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, when the average cost of return tickets is $2,297 and $2,095 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 the flight from Chicago to Australia, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 25 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

April

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$646
Best time to beat the crowds (2% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (41% more expensive on average)
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Melbourne

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.

See more FAQs

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.
See more tips

Top 3 airlines serving 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 828 reviews
7.7Boarding
6.9Food
8.2Crew
7.2Entertainment
7.4Comfort
Airline reviews

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

10.0 ExcellentCarolyn, Apr 2025LAX - SYD
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

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

Airport and crew experience was excellent. We had to queue for the runway - no one’s fault, but it did mean we were 30 minutes late leaving

Overall good experience with flight and airport wheelchair staff. Also got Indian food in the flights

I liked the service, the menu, and the comfort of the seats! Even tho we were seated by the bathrooms, the reclining seats and movie selection was very good, my husband and I didn’t mind at all

Very good as always, stand out airline. The passengers whom choose to stuff baggage that otherwise should be checked-in is a real bother but that's not the airlines doing. A real frustration that passengers just don't want to check-in luggage. This is a pet hate unfortunately.

It’s a two prop flight so I had problems with my ears on re- entering ! But otherwise fine

I love flying with Qantas. There was no onscreen entertaining on this flight, and only a snack provided (not a meal) but still better than Jetstar or Virgin (in my opinion) so still happy.

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.

Wheelchair assistance to move through the terminals and to/from the plane door was excellent. No vegan snack on the flight, only something with salami and cheese in it.

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

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Boarding was a little difficult. The gate area at O'Hare was very small and crowded due to multiple gates in the area. Could not hear the intercom, so had to rely on signage to see when my group was boarding and the signage was blocked by passengers standing in the gate. Flight was great and we arrived in Montreal on time.

Smooth boarding process. Early departure, smooth flight, early arrival. The entertainment package has very good recent movie options. The flight crew were friendly and professional.

I do prefer to fly United and have always had excellent service, except for bad weather. Flights are on time and staff is alway curtious and helpful

They switched out gate from terminal 1 to terminal two ten minutes before boarding. So we had to make a 20 min crazy fast walk to a different terminal. Then we boarded the plane and waited for over 40 minutes until push back. Brutal

My flight was scheduled for about 6:05 departure. There were 11 gate changes from 4-7pm and the flight was 3 hours delayed due to operational issues. The plane taxied around the airport for about half an hour before stopping to be de-iced. It would have been nice if we were alerted of the plan to de-ice prior to the 30 minute drive around the airport. The flight attendant was friendly, which was the only redeeming thing about this flight. As a former flight attendant for United, I was extremely disappointed.

Delays took 2hours and thirty minutes making me miss my connecting flight and make me sit in the Chicago airport for 9 hours

Had a short delay once we boarded the aircraft in Chicago, but it was fixed in no time flat then we were on our way. The pilot was able to make up the time lost and we landed 5 minute later then schedualed . Great service

Our seats were all the way in back of the plane,

The seats on this flight were almost roomy enough to be the basic amount needed for human existence. I think my favorite part of this flight was it landed at an A gate, which was the most palatial part of Sea-Tac I've ever seen - a massive improvement from the S gates.

I hope these comments will find their way to AC customer experience team. Me and my spouse 50 years of aged coming back from 7 days perfect vacation... While boarding in FLL flight AC1621, one of the boarding agents (tall aged african american) man literelly yeld at my wife during the picture talking process. MAM ! STEP !! BACK !!! We are not illegal immegrants beying deported, nor are we in the millitary. We are customers returning home. This was unacceptable. While boarding in YYZ flight AC1154, one of the boarding agents (tall aged caucasian) man criticied with several complesant remarks my passport condition saying that I could not travel intl with it due to stain, decoloration, and BLOOD. My passport does not have blood on it! Yes it might be in less than perfect condition, but their are ways to talk to customer that does not imply not allow a boarding agent to be angry fathery like, or a custom agent looking at a suspicious individual. Both experience were less than acceptable for might I remind you a paying CUSTOMER returning home.

Short flight so no food or entertainment. Good landing at SFO and on time. We were told no carryon luggage yet lots of people were puting bags in overhead compartments. The rules need to be made more clear. I was on the first leg of an international flight and this is the first time I could not have carryon luggage.

This flight didn't happen for me because of overbooking.

My flight was overbooked and they would not let me board. I had to book another flight and pay the full amount of that flight. I did not get any help at all from Air Canada or United Airlines.

Comfortable seats and movies entertainment available. Better experience than the flight from Toronto to Denver.

Not enough electronic outlets for charging in the Air Canada waiting to board area but the Most important thing….the plane was booked to only 40% capacity and my row of 2 other seats were empty. My row happened to be one of the few rows that did NOT have raising arm rests. The flight attendant made effort to seat me in a different row. I needed wheelchair assistance due to a cyst on my knee and struggled to move from seat to seat to get to the row. Those 2 empty seats tormented me the entire 15+ hour flight as I had to be upright the entire flight and was not able to elevate my knee. Lots of other passengers were laying down due to the arm rest being able to retract. It is a shame that he couldn’t be gracious and find a row that I could move to.

Poor air traffic controller staffing led to a 50%reduction on flights so we got to wait 4 hrs for our flight! Very disorganized at the gate Poor communication with customers

It was delayed by almost 90 minutes and that messed up our plans but it was beyond UA’s control that is what we heard

Terrible experience, flight was delayed both ways. Limited compensation for the 5+ hour delay. Will not be flying Air Canada Rouge, and don’t recommend you do either.

The boarding was relatively quick, the crew welcoming and flight uneventful. The omission of meals on all airlines is unacceptable especially when the flight is during a mealtime such as this one, (lunchtime), is unacceptable.

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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