Rome has a siren song that calls to us.
Perhaps it’s the dream of exploring centuries-old ruins in the morning, wandering down a cobblestone street to a family restaurant for fresh pasta at night, and eating gelato on a bench next to an ancient fountain as the sun sets. For Midwesterners, planning a city break to Italy is especially easy now that there are flights from Chicago to Rome offered year-round.
Before you pull the trigger on a booking, let’s cover the options for airports, flight duration, and airlines.
How Long Is the Flight?
When you take off from Chicago to get to Rome, you first need to fly across the Atlantic Ocean before your vacation can start. In most cases, the fastest way to do this is on a direct flight; just over 9 hours is the average time for these. Keep in mind that your journey can vary greatly as a result of weather and air traffic. Additionally, the time of year will also make a difference.
If you’d prefer a route with a connection, your flight will take longer. Plan to spend upwards of 12 hours and over 20 hours getting to your destination, depending on your port of call and layover duration. Many passengers appreciate the fact that they have more leeway when they opt for such routes. It also helps that they have a better chance of finding a seat with the airline of their choice.
I want to get to Rome from Chicago with the least hassle possible. Is a non-stop flight my best option? A nonstop flight is your best bet if you don’t want to wait any longer than possible before visiting all that Rome has to offer. If you have specific requirements you need to meet with your airline, or you want to make sure you can take off at the perfect time, a flight with a connection may be more your speed.
Departing From Chicago: O’Hare vs. Midway
Chicago has two major international airports: O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.
O’Hare, as Chicago’s primary international airport, offers the majority of long-haul flights to Europe. When searching for flights from Chicago to Rome, this means that passengers will have the most choices in terms of routes, times, and airline options coming from O’Hare. O’Hare’s large international service area means that it is also the most convenient option for most people, given that there will likely be a non-stop or one-stop option that works well for a transatlantic itinerary
While Midway is typically frequented more often for domestic travel, passengers can also certainly start their journey from Midway to Rome. They will probably have to make a stop at another airport (either in the US or Europe) prior to continuing on to Italy. Ultimately, the additional stop may be worth the time for some passengers. Because Midway may also be more convenient for other reasons, perhaps it is the perfect place to launch a journey to Italy from.
It often boils down to the tradeoff between convenience on the ground versus convenience in the sky.
Arriving in Rome: Fiumicino or Ciampino?
Rome has two airports located in different directions for slightly different travelers.
Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci International Airport) is Rome’s major international airport, located approximately 20 miles southwest of the city. This is where the vast majority of Rome’s long-haul international flights land, including likely any flight from Chicago. There are many transportation options to Rome to choose from here, including trains, buses, taxis, and car rentals.
Ciampino Airport is Rome’s other airport, located closer to the city center. It is the hub of several low-cost and regional airlines that generally offer short-haul flights to other European cities. It’s much less likely that you’d arrive here on your flight from Chicago; however, if you have a layover within Europe (following another European connection, for instance), you might find yourself here.
Fiumicino likely is the transit port to the Italian capital for the majority of Chicago-based visitors, though.
Airlines Serving the Route
The route from Chicago to Rome is served by a host of different airlines, with some providing direct flights and others only offering a connection to travellers.
These international airlines provide non-stop services to Rome, with many more offering single-stop options with a connecting city in Europe, the Middle East, or Asia. Flight routes might include a layover in Istanbul, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, or Madrid, to name but a few. Which carrier a traveler opts for will no doubt come down to a few key variables: the length of the journey, the time of day to departure, the comfort of the seat configuration, and the ease of making the connection.
There are some travelers who are also concerned about racking up their air miles points and getting a good deal on their flight options, while others are more concerned about the luggage allowances, the seats in general, and the layover times in the connecting city. Oftentimes, these questions are just as important as the cost of the ticket.
Choosing the Right Flight
The best flights to Rome from Chicago come down to what works best for you. If you’re in a rush, you’ll be looking for the fastest possible means of getting from the Windy City to the Eternal City so you can hit the ground running. If you’re traveling with your favorite airline, you might want to select your departure airport or a flight time that best suits your itinerary.
By looking at flight times, departures, arrivals, and airlines, you’re getting all the info you need to make a well-informed decision. It’ll have you prepared for Rome and what that now famous Italian welcome has in store.