Route guide · 609 miles
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Baltimore
MDW → BWI · Nonstop 1h 44m · Live round-trip fares
Plenty of travelers price out Chicago to Baltimore every day — here's how to beat the average fare. Nonstops run about 1h 44m, and the calendar matters more than the airline. Aim to book 2–4 weeks ahead, stay flexible on the day of the week, and set a free alert so a price drop never slips past you.
Live fares for MDW → BWI are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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Updated daily
Flight time
1h 44m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
609 mi
MDW → BWI
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
1
Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Baltimore
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Baltimore are flown by Southwest Airlines. The 609-mile trip takes about 1h 44m gate to gate, and nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead.
Booking insights: Chicago → Baltimore
- Distance: 609 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 44m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Oct 22, with fares from $160.
- Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
- If your dates flex by a day or two, shifting to a midweek departure is the easiest saving there is.
- A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.
Cheapest month · Chicago → Baltimore
October 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$160
Cheapest: Sat, Oct 24 — $160
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in October 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.
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Flying from Chicago to Baltimore: what you need to know
The flight
The nonstop from MDW to BWI runs about 1h 44m over 609 miles. It's a comfortable mid-range flight: long enough that seat choice matters a little, short enough that paying up for extras rarely does.
Airlines on this route
Southwest Airlines flies this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.
Leaving from Chicago (MDW)
Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our Chicago airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Baltimore (BWI)
Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Baltimore airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Baltimore to Chicago fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 609 miles, booking 2–4 weeks ahead typically lands you in the sweet spot. Leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb as the cheapest seats sell out. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are where the lower fares hide on most domestic routes.
Good to know before you go
- Get to the airport two hours before departure; security, not the flight, is the part that runs late.
- If you're traveling with only a carry-on, you can skip the bag-drop line entirely with mobile check-in.
- Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 44m — a one-stop itinerary needs to be a lot cheaper to be worth the extra hours.
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the cheapest days on domestic routes.
Chicago to Baltimore flight FAQs
How long is the flight from MDW to BWI?
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Baltimore take about 1h 44m and cover roughly 609 miles. One-stop itineraries add 2–4 hours depending on the layover city.
Are there nonstop flights from Chicago to Baltimore?
Southwest Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from MDW to BWI. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Baltimore?
Travelers usually find the gentlest prices away from peak periods — think post-holiday January and the early-fall weeks. Midweek dates inside those windows are cheaper still.
How much are last minute flights from MDW to BWI?
Walking up to this route at the last minute is the expensive way to do it — prices inside 7 days of departure climb fast. The 2–4 weeks booking window is where the value sits.
What is a good round-trip deal from Chicago to Baltimore?
A good deal is anything at or below the recent fares shown above. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.
Which airlines fly from Chicago to Baltimore?
You'll mainly see Southwest Airlines on Chicago to Baltimore. Checking each against the live fares below is the surest way to find the lowest price for your dates.
How early should I get to Chicago airport for this flight?
Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.
Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?
Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.
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