Route guide · 404 miles
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Kansas City
MDW → MCI · Nonstop 1h 19m · Live round-trip fares
Plenty of travelers price out Chicago to Kansas City every day — here's how to beat the average fare. Nonstops run about 1h 19m, 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 → MCI are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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See live fares
Updated daily
Flight time
1h 19m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
404 mi
MDW → MCI
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
1
Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Kansas City
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Kansas City are flown by Southwest Airlines. The 404-mile trip takes about 1h 19m gate to gate, and nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead.
Booking insights: Chicago → Kansas City
- Distance: 404 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 19m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Oct 15, with fares from $230.
- Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
- Midweek departures (Tue–Thu) are consistently cheaper than weekend flights.
- A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.
Price trend
Cheapest departure weeks ahead
Near-term departures around Oct 15 are currently the cheapest on this route. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.
Cheapest month · Chicago → Kansas City
October 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$230
Cheapest: Mon, Oct 19 — $230 · Priciest: Oct 15 — $254
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 Kansas City: what you need to know
The flight
At 404 miles, MDW to MCI is one of those quick up-and-down flights: roughly 1h 19m nonstop. There's no meal service to plan around — the decisions that matter here are departure time and which airport entrance traffic is kinder to you.
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 Kansas City (MCI)
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 Kansas City airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Kansas City to Chicago fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 404 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
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 19m — 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.
- Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.
- Flexible dates? Search a few days either side — one day can change the fare a lot.
- Morning flights are delayed less often than evening ones — earlier departures have the best on-time record.
Chicago to Kansas City flight FAQs
How long is the flight from MDW to MCI?
A nonstop from MDW to MCI clocks in at around 1h 19m for the 404-mile trip. If you're connecting, budget an extra 2–4 hours depending on where you stop.
Are there nonstop flights from Chicago to Kansas City?
Southwest Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from MDW to MCI. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Kansas City?
There's no single magic month, but prices on this route generally soften in the shoulder season, when demand dips after the holidays and again in early fall. A free fare alert is the easiest way to catch those windows.
How much are last minute flights from MDW to MCI?
Last-minute flights from MDW to MCI (booked within 7 days of departure) typically cost noticeably more than fares booked 2–4 weeks out. Booking early is the smarter move.
What is a good round-trip deal from Chicago to Kansas City?
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 Kansas City?
You'll mainly see Southwest Airlines on Chicago to Kansas City. 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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