Cheap Flights Chicago to Minneapolis: Insider Tips for Budget Travelers

Finding affordable flights from Chicago to Minneapolis doesn’t require magic—it requires strategy, timing, and insider knowledge. The Chicago-to-Minneapolis route is one of the most traveled corridors in the Midwest, which means competition among airlines keeps prices relatively competitive. However, savvy travelers who understand how airlines price tickets and when to book can save hundreds of dollars on their next trip between these two vibrant cities.

Whether you’re heading to Minneapolis for business, leisure, or adventure, this comprehensive guide reveals proven methods to secure the cheapest possible fares. We’ll explore booking strategies, timing secrets, and alternative options that budget-conscious travelers swear by. The distance between Chicago and Minneapolis is approximately 400 miles, making it a short 1.5-2 hour flight—perfect for weekend getaways or quick business trips.

The good news? You’re traveling between two major hubs with multiple airlines competing for your business. Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines all operate on this route regularly, creating opportunities for significant savings if you know where to look.

Best Times to Book Flights Chicago to Minneapolis

The golden rule of cheap airfare: timing is everything. Research consistently shows that booking flights from Chicago to Minneapolis between 24-48 hours before departure can yield better prices than booking months in advance for this particular route. Unlike international flights where advance booking pays off, domestic routes benefit from last-minute deals and airline price wars.

Tuesday and Wednesday typically offer the cheapest fares on the Chicago-Minneapolis route. Airlines often release sales on Tuesday mornings, and competitors match those prices by Wednesday. Avoid flying on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and holidays when prices spike 30-50% above average. Business travelers dominate these time slots, driving up demand and prices.

The best months for budget flights are January, February, September, and October. January and February see fewer leisure travelers post-holiday season, while September and October offer mild weather without peak summer pricing. Avoid June through August when families vacation, and November-December when holiday travel dominates.

Early morning departures (5-7 AM) and late-night flights (10 PM-midnight) consistently cost 15-25% less than midday options. While these times require schedule adjustments, the savings can be substantial. Set up price alerts on multiple platforms to track fare trends—most airlines and travel sites offer this feature free.

Airline Comparison and Budget Carriers

Understanding which airlines serve this route and their pricing strategies helps you make informed decisions. Delta Air Lines operates multiple daily flights from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). United Airlines also maintains heavy presence on this route with competitive pricing. Southwest Airlines, known for budget-friendly fares, offers several daily flights and includes two free checked bags—a significant advantage for budget travelers.

Alaska Airlines serves this route with competitive pricing and excellent customer service. For the absolute cheapest base fares, compare all four carriers using Google Flights or Kayak’s price comparison tools. However, remember that the cheapest ticket isn’t always the best value when factoring in baggage fees, seat selection charges, and other add-ons.

Southwest’s inclusion of checked bags and carry-on luggage makes their fares genuinely cheaper despite appearing higher initially. A $120 Southwest ticket might cost $150 total, while a $110 competitor ticket costs $185 after baggage fees. Always calculate the true cost, not just the base fare.

Budget-friendly tips for each carrier: Southwest offers Companion Pass promotions where one person flies free; Delta provides SkyMiles discounts for members; United has frequent flash sales on Tuesdays; Alaska offers seasonal sales to build winter travel. Join each airline’s email list to receive exclusive deals before they hit the general public.

Money-Saving Booking Strategies

Master these proven strategies to consistently find cheaper flights from Chicago to Minneapolis. First, use incognito browsing mode when searching for flights. Airlines and travel sites track your search history and may increase prices if they detect repeated searches for the same route. Open your browser’s private window to avoid this dynamic pricing tactic.

Second, be flexible with dates and airports. Flying from Chicago Midway instead of O’Hare can save $20-40 per ticket, though fewer direct flights operate from Midway. Comparing flights departing Wednesday versus Thursday might reveal $50+ savings. Use flexible date calendars on Kayak, Google Flights, or Skyscanner to visualize price variations across an entire month.

Third, consider one-way tickets instead of round-trip. While counterintuitive, booking separate one-way tickets on different airlines sometimes costs less than traditional round-trip fares. This strategy works when airlines have competing sales on different dates. Book your outbound flight on Southwest and return flight on Delta if prices align better than buying both with one airline.

Fourth, sign up for travel budget guides and airline newsletters to receive exclusive deals. Airlines send flash sales to subscribers 24-48 hours before they become public. You’ll often find $50-100 discounts on Chicago-Minneapolis flights through these channels.

Fifth, use price tracking tools relentlessly. Set up alerts on Hopper, Fare Alert, or Kayak for your route. These tools notify you when prices drop, helping you book at optimal moments. Most tools offer predictions indicating whether prices will rise or fall, guiding your booking timing.

Alternative Transportation Options

While flying is fastest, exploring alternatives can sometimes save money, especially when factoring in ground transportation costs. A driving road trip from Chicago to Minneapolis takes 6-7 hours depending on traffic, fuel costs, and vehicle efficiency. For solo travelers, driving costs $40-60 in fuel, though vehicle wear-and-tear adds another $30-50. This totals $70-110 versus typical cheap flight prices of $80-150 plus rideshare to/from airports.

Greyhound and Megabus offer bus service between Chicago and Minneapolis for $25-60 each way. These journeys take 8-10 hours but suit budget-conscious travelers with flexible schedules. Many travelers combine bus travel with exploring hiking trails along the route, turning transportation into adventure.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder train service connects Chicago to Minneapolis with scenic routes and comfortable seating. Fares range $100-200, comparable to budget flights but without airport hassles. The 8-hour journey includes dining cars and observation decks, making it a memorable alternative to flying.

Ride-sharing platforms like BlaBlaCar connect drivers heading to Minneapolis with passengers seeking budget transportation. Costs typically range $40-70, splitting fuel among multiple passengers. This option builds community and offers flexibility unavailable with scheduled transportation.

Maximizing Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Frequent flyer programs transform cheap flights into virtually free travel. Even occasional travelers accumulate valuable miles on the Chicago-Minneapolis route. Delta’s SkyMiles program and United’s MileagePlus offer award flights requiring just 5,000-7,500 miles for short domestic routes like Chicago-Minneapolis.

Credit card sign-up bonuses provide the fastest path to free flights. Most airline credit cards offer 50,000-75,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000-3,000 in three months. This single bonus covers 6-10 round-trip flights between Chicago and Minneapolis. Strategic credit card usage combined with regular spending can generate enough miles for quarterly trips.

Partner programs multiply your earning potential. Using airline credit cards for everyday purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants generates miles rapidly. A $3,000 monthly spend earns 9,000-15,000 miles depending on bonus categories, translating to one free flight monthly.

Combine loyalty rewards with flight status tracking tools to book award flights strategically. Award availability changes frequently, and price comparison tools help ensure you’re not overpaying in miles. Book economy flights on expensive routes, reserving premium cabin miles for transcontinental or international travel where value is greatest.

Airport Selection and Ground Transportation

Chicago offers two major airports: O’Hare International (ORD) and Chicago Midway International (MDW). O’Hare is larger with more flight options, but Midway often offers cheaper fares and superior public transportation connections. The Midway Orange Line reaches downtown Chicago in 40 minutes for just $5, while O’Hare’s Blue Line offers similar convenience.

In Minneapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) serves both cities with excellent ground transportation. The light rail connects MSP to downtown Minneapolis in 30 minutes for $3-5, beating rideshare prices and eliminating parking concerns.

Budget ground transportation strategically. Rideshare services charge surge pricing during peak hours; using public transit saves $20-30 per trip. Pre-book rental cars in advance rather than at airport counters where premium pricing applies. Consider staying near transit-connected areas to eliminate ground transportation costs entirely.

Parking at Chicago airports costs $15-30 daily. If traveling with companions, rideshare from home costs $25-40 per person, often cheaper than parking for multi-day trips. Loyalty program benefits sometimes include free airport parking, another reason to accumulate frequent flyer status.

Seasonal Pricing Patterns and Hidden Deals

Understanding seasonal demand helps predict price fluctuations. The Chicago-Minneapolis route experiences predictable pricing patterns tied to business travel, weather, and events. Winter months (January-February) see lowest leisure travel demand, creating bargain fares. Spring breaks and summer vacations drive prices up 40-60% above average.

Minneapolis’s winter weather deters casual tourists, making February and March surprisingly cheap for winter sports enthusiasts. The Minnesota State Fair (August) and various Minneapolis festivals drive hotel prices up but don’t significantly impact flight fares, creating opportunities for event-goers.

Chicago’s summer tourism season keeps flights expensive June-August. However, business travel dominates weekdays year-round, meaning leisure travelers save money flying mid-week even during peak seasons. A Thursday flight in July might cost $150 while Friday costs $220.

Monitor historical pricing data on Google Flights’ price graph feature. This shows 90-day price trends for your route, revealing whether current prices are high or low relative to normal. If prices are 20-30% below average, booking immediately makes sense. If prices are 10-15% above average, waiting usually pays off.

Technology Tools and Apps for Flight Finding

Leverage technology to automate your flight search and maximize savings. Google Flights remains the gold standard, offering flexible date calendars, price tracking, and historical data. Set up price alerts and check your email weekly for significant price changes.

Kayak’s Explore feature visualizes cheap flights from Chicago to nearby destinations, sometimes revealing cheaper alternatives. Flying to a nearby city and driving to Minneapolis occasionally costs less than direct flights. Exploring these options takes minutes but can reveal $50-100 savings.

Skyscanner’s price comparison across airlines and booking sites ensures you’re seeing all available options. Their “Everywhere” feature randomizes destination searches, occasionally uncovering cheaper alternative routes.

Hopper predicts price movements using artificial intelligence, recommending optimal booking times. Their predictions achieve 95% accuracy for domestic routes, removing guesswork from booking decisions. The free app pays for itself through a single strategic booking.

Set up browser extensions like Honey or Cashback Monitor that apply coupon codes and track cashback offers automatically. Some credit card issuers offer 5-10% cashback on airfare purchases, effectively reducing ticket prices.

Combining Strategies for Maximum Savings

The cheapest Chicago to Minneapolis flights result from combining multiple strategies simultaneously. Book a Tuesday departure departing early morning on Southwest using a flexible date that avoids peak travel times. Combine your airline credit card sign-up bonus with price alerts and loyalty status. This multi-layered approach consistently yields $100-200 savings per round-trip.

Real-world example: A $250 round-trip flight becomes free when using accumulated frequent flyer miles. A $150 base fare drops to $120 using price tracking and strategic booking timing. Adding a 5% cashback credit card offer brings the final cost to $114—less than half typical prices.

Track all your strategies systematically. Spreadsheets documenting booking dates, prices paid, airlines used, and loyalty programs help identify which strategies work best for your travel patterns. Some travelers save most with loyalty programs while others benefit most from flexible date booking.

FAQ

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Minneapolis?

January, February, September, and October offer the cheapest fares, with January and February being absolute lowest due to post-holiday minimal leisure travel. Avoid June-August peak summer pricing and November-December holiday travel when prices spike 40-60% above average.

How far in advance should I book Chicago to Minneapolis flights?

Unlike international flights, this domestic route benefits from booking 24-48 hours before departure rather than weeks ahead. However, using price alerts and tracking historical trends helps identify when to book regardless of timeline.

Which airline is cheapest for Chicago to Minneapolis flights?

Southwest typically offers the best value when factoring in free checked bags, but Delta, United, and Alaska frequently have competitive sales. Compare all carriers using price comparison tools rather than assuming one airline is always cheapest.

Can I save money flying from Chicago Midway instead of O’Hare?

Yes, Midway flights sometimes cost $20-40 less, and the airport’s smaller size means shorter security lines and easier navigation. However, fewer direct flights operate from Midway, so compare specific flight options before deciding based solely on airport.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Chicago to Minneapolis?

Flying typically costs $80-150 round-trip with budget airlines, while driving costs $70-110 in fuel plus vehicle wear-and-tear. Flying is usually cheaper and faster, but driving offers flexibility and the opportunity to explore en route.

How do I get free or discounted flights using miles?

Join airline frequent flyer programs and accumulate miles through flights and credit card spending. Award flights between Chicago and Minneapolis typically require 5,000-7,500 miles round-trip. Credit card sign-up bonuses often provide enough miles for multiple free flights.

What’s the best day of the week to fly Chicago to Minneapolis?

Tuesday and Wednesday departures offer the cheapest fares. Avoid Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and holiday periods when business and leisure travelers create peak demand and higher prices.