Which airport should I fly into for Des Plaines?

For long-haul and international flights, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the main gateway near Des Plaines. The closest airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Des Plaines?

The nearest is about 4 mi (6 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Des Plaines?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Des Plaines

The closest airports to Des Plaines, Illinois: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Des Plaines, Illinois is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 4 mi (6 km) away — roughly 13 min by road. It also serves as the area's main international gateway.

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
ORD	Chicago O'Hare International AirportChicago, United States	4 mi / 6 km	13 min	International
PWK	Chicago Executive AirportChicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, United States	6 mi / 9 km	19 min	Regional
MDW	Chicago Midway International AirportChicago, United States	19 mi / 30 km	36 min	International
DPA	Dupage AirportChicago/West Chicago, United States	21 mi / 33 km	40 min	Regional
UGN	Waukegan Regional AirportChicago/Waukegan, United States	27 mi / 43 km	52 min	Regional
LOT	Lewis University AirportChicago/Romeoville, United States	32 mi / 51 km	57 min	Regional
AUZ	Aurora Municipal AirportChicago/Aurora, United States	35 mi / 57 km	1 hr 4 min	Regional
GYY	Gary Chicago International AirportGary, United States	38 mi / 61 km	1 hr 8 min	International

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most convenient at about 4 mi out. Larger airports a little farther out can offer more connections, so it's worth comparing fares before booking.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Des Plaines. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with ORD.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near ORD saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near ORD All hotels near Des Plaines

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Des Plaines is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 4 mi (6 km) away — roughly 13 min by road.