Chicago to Columbus flights
Columbus lies 444 km (276 mi) south-east of Chicago, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 19 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Chicago | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 2.7 million | 913,175 |
| Elevation | 180 m (591 ft) | 242 m (794 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-4 (America/New_York) |
| Nearest large airport | MDW, 11 km out | CMH, 10 km out |
| Postal codes | 60601–60701 | 43085–43291 |
Clocks in Columbus are 1 h ahead of Chicago right now, so a 1 h 19 min journey lands 2 h 19 min later by the destination clock.
Airports at each end
Leaving Chicago
Chicago is served by 4 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), 11 km (7 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,522 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, 25 km), Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY, 33 km), Michigan City Municipal Airport (MGC, 71 km).
Arriving in Columbus
Columbus is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), 10 km (6 mi) from the centre, whose 10,114-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK, 17 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport | CMH | 10 km (6 mi) | 10,114 ft | 815 ft |
| Rickenbacker International Airport (regional) | LCK | 17 km (11 mi) | 12,103 ft | 744 ft |
Book a flight to Columbus
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Staying in Columbus
Our booking partner lists 724 places to stay in Columbus. Of the 535 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (204), and 15 are five-star. Across 195 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 7.9 out of 10. Guests have left 98,126 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Columbus
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Columbus from Chicago?
444 km (276 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Chicago.
How long does it take to get from Chicago to Columbus by air?
About 1 h 19 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chicago and Columbus?
Columbus is 1 h ahead at the moment (America/New_York against America/Chicago).
Which airports are used for Chicago to Columbus flights?
Typically Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH); Columbus also has LCK.
Where can I stay in Columbus?
Our booking partner lists 724 places to stay in Columbus, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.