New Orleans from Chicago, Oct 16–18: round trip from $362
When we checked, a round trip from Chicago O'Hare to New Orleans was $362 per person ($724 for two) on Frontier for Oct 16–18, 2026. That's 2 nights, and the flight down has one stop, so it isn't nonstop. The forecast shows highs of 76–87°F with little rain, and the best-value hotel is $443 for both nights.
The flight
$410 $362 per person, round trip
the typical fare on this route
$724 for two, taxes and fees included · Frontier · 1 stop · 10h 10m
Out Fri, Oct 16, 6:20 AM – Fri, Oct 16, 4:30 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $362 | 1 stop | 10h 10m |
| United | $526 | nonstop | 2h 33m |
| Frontier | $509 | 1 stop | 25h 31m |
Prices checked Oct 12, 2026, 11:31 AM CDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
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Your trip for two
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $724 |
| Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG, 2 nights | $443 |
| Trip total for two | $1,167 |
Regular: $1,263 You pay: $1,167 Saved: $96
the typical fare on this route.
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Why go now
$362 per person round trip is $48 below the typical fare on this route, or 12% under the $410 median of our earlier checks. It also has the Lowest in 30 days badge: none of our 18 checks in the past 30 days came in lower. Across the 12 offers we saw, fares ran from $362 to $570. Mid-October is still hurricane season in New Orleans, but the forecast looks good. Friday's high is 87°F, then 76°F on Saturday and 77°F on Sunday, with a 3% to 11% chance of rain. That's walking weather for the French Quarter, a set on Frenchmen Street and a long Creole dinner. For two, the flights, the best-value hotel and $520 in spending money come to $1,687. All prices were all-in when we found them and could change before you book.
The kind of trip this is
This is a city-and-food weekend built around jazz, Creole and Cajun cooking, centuries-old architecture and late nights. It's a good fit for a couple or two friends who like to eat well and walk a lot. The pace is relaxed but full. Two nights is enough for a museum, a streetcar ride and a couple of music clubs without rushing.
Weather in New Orleans, Oct 16–18
Highs 76–87°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 16 | 87 °F | 74 °F | 6% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 76 °F | 64 °F | 3% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 77 °F | 62 °F | 11% |
Where to stay in New Orleans
All three picks are in Downtown New Orleans. Nearby, the Central Business District / Warehouse District has modern hotels, museums and restaurants a short walk from the French Quarter. For best value, go with Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG: $443 for 2 nights ($222 a night), rated 8.5 across 2,275 reviews, with two queen beds and free cancellation. The top-rated pick is Hyatt Regency New Orleans at $528 for the stay ($264 a night), rated 9 across 989 reviews, and it also has free cancellation. If you're on a budget, The Louie Hotel New Orleans, Belvilla District 6 Formerly Sonder is $269 ($135 a night) for a king room with a shared kitchen. It's rated 6.4 across 142 reviews and doesn't offer free cancellation. All three are room only.
Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG
$443 for 2 nights, two guests · $222 a night
See roomsHyatt Regency New Orleans
$528 for 2 nights, two guests · $264 a night
See roomsThe Louie Hotel New Orleans, Belvilla District 6 Formerly Sonder
$269 for 2 nights, two guests · $135 a night
See roomsAll hotels in New Orleans for these dates
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Where in New Orleans
- French Quarter: Historic heart with balconies, jazz clubs and Bourbon Street.
- Central Business District / Warehouse District: Modern hotels, museums and restaurants a short walk from the Quarter.
- Garden District: Grand mansions and oak-lined streets along the streetcar line.
- Marigny / Bywater: Frenchmen Street music clubs and colourful shotgun houses.
What to do in New Orleans
- Hear live jazz on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, or catch a set at Preservation Hall.
- Have beignets at Café du Monde, then gumbo somewhere in the French Quarter.
- Ride the St. Charles streetcar past the mansions and oak-lined streets of the Garden District.
- Spend a few hours at the National WWII Museum, a short walk from downtown hotels.
- Take a swamp tour to see alligators outside the city.
- Visit the above-ground tombs of St. Louis Cemetery.
Also worth it
- Eat beignets at Café du Monde and gumbo in the Quarter
- Tour the National WWII Museum
Tours and tickets in New Orleans
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Chicago | Chicago O'Hare International (ORD), Chicago Midway International (MDW) |
|---|---|
| Airports in New Orleans | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) |
| Flight time | 10h 10m (1 stop) |
| Distance | 835 miles each way |
| Time difference | same time zone |
What 2 nights in New Orleans costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $724 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG) | $443 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $520 |
| Total for two | $1,687 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Chicago to New Orleans
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $362 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $362 (Oct 12, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $410 |
| Price checks | 18 |
Good to know
- Passport: not needed for US citizens; a government ID is enough.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- Hurricane season
- You don't need a passport, you'll pay in US dollars, and New Orleans is on the same time as Chicago.
- The $362 Frontier fare leaves O'Hare at 6:20 AM on Friday, Oct 16, and lands at 4:30 PM after one stop, 10h 10m in total.
- United has a nonstop for $526 per person that leaves at 8:12 PM and takes 2h 33m.
- October falls in hurricane season, so check the forecast again before you go.
- All three hotels are room only. The Louie doesn't have free cancellation, but the Holiday Inn and the Hyatt Regency do.
Questions readers ask
How much is the flight?
We found $362 per person round trip on Frontier, or $724 for two, all-in. That's $48 below the typical fare on this route. Fares can change after we check.
Is there a nonstop?
Yes. United flies nonstop for $526 per person. It leaves at 8:12 PM on Friday and lands at 10:45 PM, a 2h 33m flight. The cheaper Frontier fare makes one stop and takes 10h 10m.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip of 835 miles, you'll pay in US dollars, and there's no time difference with Chicago.
What is the weather like?
Friday looks overcast with a high of 87°F. Saturday is partly cloudy at 76°F, and Sunday is overcast at 77°F. Lows run 62°F to 74°F and rain chances stay at 11% or less.
Is 2 nights enough?
For a first look, yes. The Frontier flight gets you in at 4:30 PM Friday, which leaves Friday night and all of Saturday for the Quarter, jazz, the WWII Museum and the streetcar.
What does the whole weekend cost for two?
Flights at $724, the Holiday Inn at $443 and $520 in spending money add up to $1,687 for two.
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New Orleans in pictures
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Image credits
- Photo: K / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Dominik Gryzbon / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: K / Pexels, Pexels License