SFO - CHI

$96 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago departing on 10/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Chicago

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to Chicago, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to Chicago, as well as popular online travel agencies
In the last 7 days, travellers have searched 41,299,237 times on KAYAK, and here's why:

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Cheap Flight Deals from San Francisco to Chicago (SFO-CHI)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago

Recommended round-trip deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from San Francisco to Chicago.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
06:15 - 12:42SFO-ORD
4h 27mdirect
14:35 - 17:30ORD-SFO
4h 55mdirect
$303United Airlines
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ד', 8 ינו' - ג', 14 ינו'
19:55 - 13:07SFO-ORD
15h 12m1 stop
18:55 - 21:54ORD-SFO
4h 59mdirect
$318Alaska Airlines
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ג', 21 ינו' - ב', 27 ינו'
23:35 - 05:54SFO-ORD
4h 19mdirect
06:30 - 09:24ORD-SFO
4h 54mdirect
$325United Airlines
Find Deal
ג', 31 דצמ' - ו', 24 ינו'
06:38 - 14:55SFO-ORD
6h 17m1 stop
20:25 - 23:13ORD-SFO
4h 48mdirect
$341United Airlines
Find Deal
ד', 8 ינו' - ב', 13 ינו'
16:00 - 23:51SFO-ORD
5h 51m1 stop
20:25 - 23:13ORD-SFO
4h 48mdirect
$343United Airlines
Find Deal
ג', 31 דצמ' - ו', 24 ינו'
06:15 - 12:42SFO-ORD
4h 27mdirect
14:35 - 17:30ORD-SFO
4h 55mdirect
$345United Airlines
Find Deal
ד', 15 ינו' - ד', 22 ינו'
12:00 - 22:35SFO-ORD
8h 35m2 stops
19:10 - 23:45ORD-SFO
6h 35m1 stop
$439Southwest
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ד', 29 ינו' - א', 2 פב​​​​​​​'
05:55 - 16:13SFO-ORD
8h 18m1 stop
07:15 - 12:44ORD-SFO
7h 29m1 stop
$448Delta
Find Deal
ש', 18 ינו' - ש', 25 ינו'
11:05 - 22:35SFO-ORD
9h 30m2 stops
19:10 - 23:45ORD-SFO
6h 35m1 stop
$453Southwest
Find Deal
ו', 10 ינו' - א', 12 ינו'
05:40 - 16:40SFO-ORD
9h 00m1 stop
11:50 - 18:15ORD-SFO
8h 25m1 stop
$465Delta
Find Deal
ד', 1 ינו' - ש', 25 ינו'

Flights from San Francisco to Chicago - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from San Francisco to Chicago to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago.
Our data shows that the cheapest route for a return flight from San Francisco to Chicago cost $404 and was between San Francisco (SFO) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is $404.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Chicago?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco to Chicago is April, where tickets cost $518 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $726 and $644 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from San Francisco to Chicago?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
Yes, flying with a stopover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop stopover the cheapest option at $383 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from San Francisco to Chicago, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 12 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

High season

July

Cheapest flight

$96
Best time to beat the crowds (10% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (4% more expensive on average)
Flight from San Francisco to Chicago

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Chicago based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from San Francisco to Chicago

  • Should I fly into Chicago O’Hare or Chicago Midway Airport?

    O’Hare Airport is located within Chicago, Illinois, 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop. The smaller Midway International Airport is located 10 miles southwest of the center. Both airports offer easy public transport connections, so you can’t go wrong with either one.

  • What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to downtown Chicago?

    The “L” train is an inexpensive way to get downtown from the airport. The O’Hare train station is situated on the lower level concourse of Chicago O’Hare Airport, with direct connections from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The CTA Blue Line trains from Chicago O’Hare run 24/7, with a travel time of 40-45 minutes. If you arrive at Midway Airport, the Midway train station is a short walk east of the airport. Orange Line train services run from early in the morning until 1 am. It takes 20-25 minutes to travel by train to the downtown loop.

  • How do I get around Chicago O’Hare Airport?

    Getting around Chicago O’Hare Airport is easy using the Airport Transit System (ATS), which operates 24 hours a day along a 2.5-mile-long track. This service connects all four terminals, various parking facilities, the Kiss ‘N’ Fly drop off point, and the PACE bus stop. The ATS service is free and takes nine minutes to complete a round trip.

  • What is the closest hotel to Chicago O’Hare?

    The Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel is only a short walk from the airport’s domestic terminals. Amenities include a fitness center, restaurants, conference rooms, and a barber shop. If you need to freshen up after your flight, travelers can use the showers at the hotel’s health club for a small cost.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago was $55 for a one-way ticket and $173 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from San Francisco to Chicago?

    When flying out of San Francisco you will be using San Francisco. You will be landing at Chicago, also known as Chicago O'Hare Intl.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to Chicago?

    American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to Chicago flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to Chicago?

    The Boeing 777 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Francisco to Chicago flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between San Francisco and Chicago, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago?

    There are direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to Chicago.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Chicago from San Francisco is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Chicago with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Chicago from San Francisco up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to Chicago

  • Flights from San Francisco to Chicago usually depart from San Francisco International Airport. If you’re traveling with children, San Francisco International Airport has a number of interactive play areas to keep kids busy. Additionally, the video arts room showcases contemporary works from local filmmakers and many restaurants have special menus for children.
  • American Airlines and United Airlines offer regular, direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare. Non-stop flights take less than four hours to arrive and the return trip takes around five hours.
  • The San Francisco International Airport incorporates a wide selection of art and exhibitions to provide a rich cultural and educational experience for travelers. While you’re waiting for your flight, you can visit more than twenty-five galleries throughout the terminals that reflect the history and cultural life of San Francisco. Travelers can also visit the Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, which house a permanent collection with a focus on local aviation history.
  • Want to relax before your flight from San Francisco to Chicago? Treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or massage at one of four XpresSpa outlets at San Francisco International Airport. There are also two dedicated spaces to practice yoga if you want to stretch out before getting on the plane.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco International Airport, O’Hare International Airport, and Midway International Airport. Charging stations and power outlets can be found throughout the terminals and baggage claim areas.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago?

Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to Chicago, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to Chicago

Monday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +21 more

Tuesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +21 more

Wednesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +19 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +20 more

Thursday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +19 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +20 more

Friday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +19 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +20 more

Saturday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

Sunday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +19 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +20 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago to San Francisco

Monday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Tuesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Wednesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +21 more

Thursday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Friday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

Saturday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +23 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +24 more

Sunday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Recent one-way flight deals

 
Only flying one-way? Below are some of the best one-way flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.
10/2ב'
directAlaska Airlines
4h 27mSFO-ORD
$96
6/2ה'
directUnited Airlines
4h 19mSFO-ORD
$152
28/1ג'
1 stopAlaska Airlines
8h 59mSFO-ORD
$168
31/12ג'
1 stopDelta
7h 14mSFO-ORD
$241
9/1ה'
2 stopsDelta
10h 01mSFO-ORD
$259
20/2ה'
2 stopsSouthwest
10h 15mSFO-ORD
$285
18/2ג'
2 stopsSouthwest
10h 15mSFO-ORD
$311
16/6ב'
1 stopSun Country Air
8h 07mSFO-ORD
$338
16/3א'
1 stopJetBlue
10h 55mSFO-ORD
$439
13/4א'
1 stopJetBlue
12h 06mSFO-ORD
$498

Search by stops

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Last minute flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

 
These last-minute flight deals are the cheapest flights found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours for flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are departing in the next 10 days.
24/12ג'
directAlaska Airlines
4h 25mSFO-ORD
24/1ו'
directAlaska Airlines
4h 59mORD-SFO
$684
23/12ב'
multi-stopAlaska Airlines
8h 50mSFO-ORD
24/1ו'
directAlaska Airlines
4h 59mORD-SFO
$700
21/12ש'
directUnited Airlines
4h 27mSFO-ORD
25/1ש'
multi-stopUnited Airlines
6h 50mORD-SFO
$722
24/12ג'
multi-stopDelta
7h 14mSFO-ORD
8/1ד'
multi-stopDelta
7h 20mORD-SFO
$773
24/12ג'
directUnited Airlines
4h 27mSFO-ORD
1/1ד'
directUnited Airlines
4h 44mORD-SFO
$801
24/12ג'
multi-stopDelta
7h 14mSFO-ORD
8/1ד'
multi-stopDelta
11h 38mORD-SFO
$839
22/12א'
multi-stopSouthwest
10h 50mSFO-ORD
11/1ש'
multi-stopSouthwest
7h 20mORD-SFO
$869
24/12ג'
multi-stopSun Country Air
12h 56mSFO-ORD
29/12א'
multi-stopSun Country Air
28h 48mORD-SFO
$871
22/12א'
multi-stopSouthwest
10h 50mSFO-ORD
11/1ש'
multi-stopSouthwest
10h 55mORD-SFO
$878
24/12ג'
multi-stopSun Country Air
7h 04mSFO-ORD
27/12ו'
multi-stopSun Country Air
13h 04mORD-SFO
$923

Search by stops

Search by airline

Search by price

Everything you need to know for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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