Chicago — flights from Nashville to Chicago

Flight Deals from Nashville to Chicago from $40

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Good to Know

Essential information to help you plan your flight from Nashville to Chicago.

Timing Your Trip

The best day, time of day, season and booking window for this route.

Price Drop Deals

Express Deal
Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlinesfound Oct 15
11/18/26
3:11 pm
BNANashville International Airport
9h 10mDENDenver International Airport
11/19/26
12:21 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/25/26
5:12 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
18h 13mMCOOrlando International Airport
11/26/26
11:25 am
BNANashville International Airport
$218
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
5:05 am
BNANashville International Airport
1h 35m
11/14/26
6:40 am
MDWChicago Midway Airport
11/21/26
9:35 pm
MDWChicago Midway Airport
1h 35m
11/21/26
11:10 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$221
American AirlinesAmerican Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
3:28 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 1m
11/14/26
5:29 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/21/26
10:40 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
1h 38m
11/22/26
12:18 am
BNANashville International Airport
$225
Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlinesfound Oct 15
11/18/26
3:11 pm
BNANashville International Airport
9h 10mDENDenver International Airport
11/19/26
12:21 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/25/26
5:12 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
20h 43mMCOOrlando International Airport
11/26/26
1:55 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$218
Flight plus hotel
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On average save $240 per traveler

American AirlinesAmerican Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
3:28 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 1m
11/14/26
5:29 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/21/26
1:30 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
1h 38m
11/21/26
3:08 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$225
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
5:05 am
BNANashville International Airport
1h 35m
11/14/26
6:40 am
MDWChicago Midway Airport
11/21/26
6:55 pm
MDWChicago Midway Airport
2h 55m
11/21/26
9:50 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$227
Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlinesfound Oct 15
11/18/26
8:26 pm
BNANashville International Airport
12h 20mMCOOrlando International Airport
11/19/26
8:46 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/25/26
5:12 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
18h 13mMCOOrlando International Airport
11/26/26
11:25 am
BNANashville International Airport
$218
CONTOUR AIRLINESCONTOUR AIRLINESfound Oct 11
11/02/26
8:00 am
BNANashville International Airport
3h 40mUINQuincy Regional Baldwin Field
11/02/26
11:40 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/09/26
12:15 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
3h 55mUINQuincy Regional Baldwin Field
11/09/26
4:10 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$246
American AirlinesAmerican Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
6:33 am
BNANashville International Airport
2h 2m
11/14/26
8:35 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
11/21/26
1:30 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
1h 38m
11/21/26
3:08 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$225
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlinesfound Oct 20
11/14/26
2:30 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 55m
11/14/26
5:25 pm
MDWChicago Midway Airport
11/21/26
9:35 pm
MDWChicago Midway Airport
1h 35m
11/21/26
11:10 pm
BNANashville International Airport
$227

Top Deals on flights from Nashville to Chicago

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Allegiant AirAllegiant Air

Oct 29

10:52 am
BNANashville International Airport
1h 30mNonstop

Oct 29

12:22 pm
RFDChicago Greater Rockford Airport
Search More

as low as

$40

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines

Oct 29

5:13 pm
BNANashville International Airport
5h 30m1 stop · PHL

Oct 29

10:43 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$84

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines

Oct 29

3:11 pm
BNANashville International Airport
9h 10m1 stop · DEN

Oct 30

12:21 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$88

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines

Oct 29

8:26 pm
BNANashville International Airport
12h 20m1 stop · MCO

Oct 30

8:46 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$94

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines

Oct 29

9:43 am
BNANashville International Airport
23h 3m1 stop · MCO

Oct 30

8:46 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$94

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

3:38 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 0mNonstop

Oct 29

5:38 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

8:59 am
BNANashville International Airport
2h 0mNonstop

Oct 29

10:59 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

5:18 am
BNANashville International Airport
2h 1mNonstop

Oct 29

7:19 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

6:56 am
BNANashville International Airport
2h 4mNonstop

Oct 29

9:00 am
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

7:54 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 6mNonstop

Oct 29

10:00 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

American AirlinesAmerican Airlines

Oct 29

5:52 pm
BNANashville International Airport
2h 8mNonstop

Oct 29

8:00 pm
ORDChicago O Hare Airport
Search More

as low as

$104

Nashville, US (BNA) - Chicago, US (CHI)

Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines

Oct 29

4:25 pm
BNANashville International Airport
1h 30mNonstop

Oct 29

5:55 pm
MDWChicago Midway Airport
Search More

as low as

$106

Best Chicago Hotel + Flight Packages

Nashville - Chicago packages

Best Chicago Hotel + Flight + Car Packages

Nashville - Chicago packages

When is the cheapest time to fly?

Cheapest in early February at about $255

Fares from Nashville to Chicago are lowest in early February, around $255, and January is the cheapest month overall, averaging $260. They peak in late December at about $305, $50 more than the low. The yearly average is $275.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec$0$60$120$180$240$300$360
Show the data
When is the cheapest time to fly?
MonthAverage fareEarly monthLate month
January$260$261$258
February$261$255$267
March$298$295$300
April$276$277$275
May$285$283$288
June$277$278$276
July$283$282$285
August$261$264$258
September$270$265$274
October$266$274$258
November$269$259$280
December$289$272$305

How far in advance should I book?

Cheapest about 5 weeks out at $218

Book about 5 weeks before departure for the best fares from Nashville to Chicago, around $218. Booking in the final days before the flight costs about $328, $110 more. Booking six months ahead runs about $430.

1w2w1mo2mo3mo4mo5mo$0$50$100$150$200$250$300$350$400$450
Show the data
How far in advance should I book? (selected points, lowest and highest included)
Days before departureAverage fare
180 days$430
172 days$422
164 days$409
156 days$392
148 days$380
140 days$372
132 days$361
124 days$345
116 days$328
108 days$308
100 days$288
92 days$274
84 days$259
76 days$253
68 days$250
2mo$242
52 days$233
44 days$223
38 days$218
36 days$218
28 days$221
20 days$238
12 days$270
4 days$308
0 days$328

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Nashville to Chicago. At $273 it is 13% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day, 16% above average.

$364Sun$342Mon$315Tue$303Wed$273Thu$286Fri$308Sat
Show the data
What's the cheapest day of the week to fly?
DayAverage fare
Sun$364
Mon$342
Tue$315
Wed$303
Thu$273
Fri$286
Sat$308

When is the best time of day to fly?

Afternoon (2pm - 5pm) is the cheapest time of day to fly from Nashville to Chicago. At $270 it is 8% cheaper than the average time. Morning (5am - 12pm) is the most expensive time, 14% above average.

$335Morning$273Midday$270Afternoon$288Evening$301Late Night
Show the data
When is the best time of day to fly?
Time of dayAverage fare
Morning$335
Midday$273
Afternoon$270
Evening$288
Late Night$301

What do round-trip flights from Nashville to Chicago cost?

Share of fares in each price range, adjusted to current prices.

5%$0to $15035%$150to $30031%$300to $45014%$450to $6009%$600to $7503%$750to $9002%$900and up
Show the data
What do round-trip flights from Nashville to Chicago cost?
Price rangeShare of fares
$0 to $1505%
$150 to $30035%
$300 to $45031%
$450 to $60014%
$600 to $7509%
$750 to $9003%
$900 and up2%
Methodology: learn how we calculate these charts

The charts “When is the cheapest time to fly?”, “How far in advance should I book?”, “What's the cheapest day of the week to fly?” and “What do round-trip flights from Nashville to Chicago cost?” are built from the prices Priceline customers actually paid for flights on this route over the past 12 months or more.

Where a route has too few bookings to fill every point in a chart, we borrow the shape of the curve from a group of routes with similar price behavior and fit it to the fares booked on this route.

Because past fares don’t reflect today’s market, we then adjust the historical prices for current conditions such as inflation and fuel costs, using the round-trip fares found in recent searches on this route.

The chart “When is the best time of day to fly?” is calculated directly from the fares found in recent searches, not from historical bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about flying from Nashville to Chicago.

What is the typical flight duration from Nashville to Chicago?

The flight from Nashville to Chicago is about 395 miles. The typical nonstop flight time from Nashville to Chicago is 1 hour 47 minutes. The return flight from Chicago to Nashville is about 1 hour 30 minutes, making the outbound leg slightly longer by 17 minutes.
Methodology
Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.

Are there any direct flights from Nashville to Chicago?

Yes, there are plenty of nonstop flights from Nashville to Chicago each week. Southwest flies to Midway with 40 weekly departures spread throughout the day, while United and American (including their regional partners) fly to O'Hare with a combined 96 weekly flights, all running daily. United also has one O'Hare departure six days a week (Monday through Sunday, skipping Saturday), and Allegiant flies to Rockford twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
Methodology
Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

What are the ground transportation options in Chicago?

Getting from Chicago O'Hare to downtown is straightforward, with the CTA Blue Line 'L' train being the most-used and most affordable option at $5, running 24/7 and reaching the Loop in about 45 minutes. Taxis and rideshares like Uber and Lyft are also readily available from designated pickup areas, typically taking 30–40 minutes and costing $35–60. Metra's North Central Service and Pace suburban buses serve the surrounding region, though they are less direct for downtown access. Limousine, chauffeur, and shared-ride van services like GO Airport Express round out the premium and group options. Car rental counters are on-site at the airport for those continuing onward by road.
References

When is the cheapest time to fly from Nashville to Chicago?

Fares from Nashville to Chicago are lowest in early February, around $255. January is the cheapest month overall, averaging $260, followed by February ($261) and August ($261). March is the most expensive month at about $298, and fares peak in late December at about $305. The yearly average is $275. Fares are adjusted to current market conditions.
Methodology
Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.

How far in advance should I book tickets from Nashville to Chicago?

Book about 5 weeks before departure for the best fares from Nashville to Chicago, around $218. Booking in the final days before the flight costs about $328, $110 more. Booking six months ahead runs about $430. Fares are adjusted to current market conditions.
Methodology
Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.

Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Nashville to Chicago?

Yes, overnight red-eye flights operate from Nashville to Chicago. Southwest runs a red-eye from BNA to Midway on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing at 10:35 PM and landing at 12:10 AM, arriving in the early hours just after midnight.
Methodology
Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times and block times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes. A flight counts as a red-eye when it departs in the afternoon or evening (3 p.m. or later local time) or in the early hours before 4 a.m., and is in the air at some point between midnight and 4 a.m. local time at both its departure airport and its arrival airport. An evening flight that lands before midnight at its destination is never counted, nor is a morning departure or a daytime long-haul that reaches the next calendar date only because of time zones. Each red-eye is labelled with its timing (for example, overnight and landing the next morning, or late-night and landing after midnight). For connecting itineraries the same rule is applied to the longer leg, from one representative day's flight search.

Which airlines usually operate this route from Nashville to Chicago?

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Allegiant Air operate non-stop from Nashville to Chicago, with Southwest serving Midway and United and American serving O'Hare. Southwest flies up to 40 weekly flights, United 35, and American 27 on its mainline service plus regional flights operated by SkyWest and Envoy, while Allegiant offers just two weekly flights to Rockford on Thursdays and Sundays. All main carriers fly daily except Allegiant's twice-weekly schedule.
Methodology
Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Nashville to Chicago?

Southwest Airlines is the most reliable carrier on this route, with 81.6% of flights arriving within 15 minutes of schedule and a 0.4% cancellation rate. United and Republic Airways (operating for United and American) follow at 78.7%, while American Airlines mainline flights arrive on time just 66.4% of the time. Frontier has the weakest arrival performance at 61.3%.
Methodology
On-time arrival and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; a flight counts as on time when it arrives within 15 minutes of schedule. Carriers are ranked by arrival on-time rate on this route, and the carrier list itself comes from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI).

Which airport should I use in Chicago?

O'Hare is Chicago's primary international and domestic hub, offering the most flights and connections. Midway is closer to downtown and serves mainly Southwest Airlines, ideal for low-cost domestic travel.

How do I get to Nashville International Airport from the city center?

Nashville International Airport sits about eight miles east of downtown, and the WeGo Route 18 bus is the cheapest and most popular public transit link, running directly to the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central for just $2 each way, with express trips taking around 20 minutes. Shared shuttle vans and hotel shuttles depart from the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2, while taxis, Uber, and Lyft also pick up there, with a flat taxi rate of $30 to downtown and rideshare fares typically in the $24–$35 range. Driving yourself is straightforward via I-40, with five parking options including garages, surface lots, and valet, and the drive to downtown takes roughly 12–20 minutes depending on traffic. For most travelers, ride-share is the most popular choice for its balance of speed and convenience, while the bus is clearly the most budget-friendly.
References

Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at Chicago airport?

Chicago O'Hare has a hotel directly connected to the airport: the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel is located opposite Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and reachable by underground pedestrian walkways, with Terminal 5 access via the Airport Transit System. There are no sleep cabins, pods, or day rooms at the airport, and there is no transit hotel inside the secure area, so overnight layover travelers must exit security and re-clear screening the next day. Several nearby hotels such as The Rose Hotel Chicago O'Hare, Sonesta Chicago O'Hare Airport Rosemont, Staybridge Suites Chicago O'Hare, La Quinta by Wyndham, and Hampton Inn also offer free airport shuttles.
References

What facilities and services are available to travelers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport?

Chicago O'Hare International Airport offers unlimited free Wi-Fi throughout all terminals, both before and after security. Seated power stations with AC outlets and counter space are available at many gates across Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5 for recharging laptops and phones at no charge. Each terminal has a Mother's Room open 24/7 with comfortable seating, a sink, electrical outlets, a diaper changing surface, and soft lighting, plus additional Mamava lactation pods at many concourses. Diaper vending machines and Hudson News stores carry baby necessities like diapers, wipes, and formula. The airport also features an Aeroponic Garden and a yoga room in Terminal 3. There are no smoking lounges anywhere at O'Hare.
References

Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Nashville and Chicago airports?

Nashville International Airport offers the GoodMaps indoor navigation app with turn-by-turn audio and on-screen directions for accessible step-free routes, and wheelchair assistance is arranged through your airline with 48 hours' advance notice. Family restrooms, adult changing tables, and lactation rooms are available throughout the terminal and concourses. Chicago O'Hare International Airport requires all ADA accommodations, including wheelchair assistance and medical needs, to be arranged directly with your airline, and offers sensory-friendly resources, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, companion plus restrooms, and service animal relief areas. Travelers Aid Chicago is also on-site at O'Hare.
References

What aircraft are typically used on flights from Nashville to Chicago?

Southwest Airlines, the largest operator on the Nashville to Chicago route, flies Boeing 737-700 aircraft. United Airlines uses Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737-700 aircraft, while American Airlines operates Airbus A319s and regional affiliates fly Bombardier CRJ-700, Embraer E170, and Embraer E175 aircraft. Allegiant Air also serves the route with Airbus A319s.
Methodology
Aircraft types come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). For U.S. routes the type is grounded in the tail number that actually operated the flight; elsewhere it comes from the airline's filed equipment code. Where the source does not commit to a specific variant we name the aircraft family (for example Airbus A320 family) rather than guess, and where no reliable type is on file the aircraft is omitted rather than estimated. Types describe typical scheduled equipment and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute swaps.

Which airline alliances serve flights from Nashville to Chicago?

Nonstop service from Nashville to Chicago is flown by Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines (with regional partners SkyWest, Envoy, and Republic), and Allegiant Air. On this route, United carries the Star Alliance and American carries the oneworld alliance, while Southwest and Allegiant are unaligned carriers that belong to no alliance. SkyTeam has no member currently flying nonstop here, though it may reach Chicago via connections.
Methodology
Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Nashville?

Nashville International Airport (BNA) has several lounge options for departing passengers. Delta operates a Sky Club in Concourse B (or A, depending on the terminal layout), offering a hot and cold buffet with local Nashville selections, a premium bar, high-speed Wi-Fi, and quiet zones, accessible to Sky Club members, premium cabin passengers, and eligible American Express card holders. American Airlines runs an Admirals Club in Concourse C between gates C14 and C16 with complimentary food and drinks, a full-service bar, Wi-Fi, and conference rooms. Minute Suites in Concourse D is open to all travelers with paid access, and a USO Lounge near Gate D1 serves active-duty military and their families with coffee, snacks, Wi-Fi, and video games.
References

Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?

Same‑day changes and standby are available on many BNA–CHI fares, with flexible and premium tickets offering the most generous options while Basic Economy typically does not allow them.