Cheap Flights from Chicago to Phoenix Starting at $35

The Chicago — Phoenix route is served by a wide range of airlines: 4 in total, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. Competition among carriers gives passengers the opportunity to find tickets at attractive fares — with prices starting from $35. Our service helps compare all available offers within seconds and choose the most convenient option. You can filter flights by price, departure time, or baggage rules to make your trip as comfortable as possible. With so many airlines, there’s always a chance to catch special promotions and save.

Chicago is served by two primary airports with distinct roles. O’Hare International (ORD) is the city’s global hub, typically handling many long-haul and major carrier flights—United and American often have large operations here—so fares can range from mid to premium depending on route and season. It sits about 17 miles northwest of downtown; the CTA Blue Line usually connects travelers to the Loop in roughly 45–60 minutes with fares in the low single digits, while taxi or rideshare trips commonly take 35–60 minutes and cost substantially more. Pros: extensive international connections and on-site amenities; cons: can be busy and spread out, which may mean longer transfers. Midway Airport (MDW) is usually positioned as Chicago’s more compact, domestic- and low-cost-focused airport, with carriers like Southwest frequently operating many routes. It’s located about 10 miles southwest of downtown and can be reached by CTA Orange Line in around 25–35 minutes for a modest fare, or by taxi/rideshare in roughly 20–40 minutes at a higher cost. Pros: smaller footprint and often quicker check-in and shorter walks between gates; cons: fewer international services and potentially limited late-night options compared with the larger hub at O’Hare.

Phoenix is served primarily by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), a major southwestern hub that typically handles a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers—expect strong presence from American, Southwest and Delta—while Phoenix–Mesa Gateway (AZA) sits east of the city as a budget-friendly alternative with several low-cost and leisure airlines. Sky Harbor lies about 3–5 miles east of downtown Phoenix, usually reachable by light rail, shuttle or taxi in roughly 15–25 minutes; fares can range from a few dollars on public transit to higher single-ride taxi or rideshare rates. Mesa Gateway is around 20–25 miles from central Phoenix and can take 30–50 minutes by car. Pros: Sky Harbor offers extensive connections and frequent transit links; cons: it can be busy during peak times. Mesa Gateway can be cheaper on fares but is farther out and has fewer transit options.

The minimum one-way ticket price from Chicago to Phoenix is $48 (January 2026), while the maximum is $59 (December 2025). On average, a ticket costs $53–$59.