SFO - CHI

$159 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 18/2. 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
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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 return 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
22:35 - 04:53SFO-ORD
4h 18mdirect
06:30 - 09:30ORD-SFO
5h 00mdirect
$317United Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, 19 Feb - Sat, 22 Feb
10:48 - 17:00SFO-ORD
4h 12mdirect
19:00 - 22:10ORD-SFO
5h 10mdirect
$333Alaska Airlines
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Sat, 22 Feb - Tue, 25 Feb
10:46 - 16:58SFO-ORD
4h 12mdirect
19:00 - 22:10ORD-SFO
5h 10mdirect
$338Alaska Airlines
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Tue, 25 Feb - Tue, 25 Feb
22:35 - 04:53SFO-ORD
4h 18mdirect
07:15 - 10:18ORD-SFO
5h 03mdirect
$349United Airlines
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Sat, 1 Mar - Sat, 8 Mar
10:48 - 17:00SFO-ORD
4h 12mdirect
07:45 - 13:47ORD-SFO
8h 02m1 stop
$350Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, 22 Feb - Tue, 25 Feb
00:40 - 10:28SFO-ORD
7h 48m1 stop
16:15 - 23:51ORD-SFO
9h 36m1 stop
$455Delta
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Fri, 21 Feb - Mon, 24 Feb
06:15 - 15:30SFO-ORD
7h 15m1 stop
16:58 - 23:19ORD-SFO
8h 21m1 stop
$473Delta
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Wed, 19 Feb - Fri, 21 Feb
05:15 - 18:30SFO-ORD
11h 15m1 stop
10:45 - 21:00ORD-SFO
12h 15m2 stops
$510Southwest
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Sat, 22 Feb - Sat, 1 Mar
05:30 - 15:20SFO-ORD
7h 50m1 stop
13:30 - 22:30ORD-SFO
11h 00m2 stops
$534Southwest
Find Deal
Thu, 3 Apr - Mon, 7 Apr
13:10 - 19:11SFO-ORD
28h 01m1 stop
20:10 - 22:50ORD-SFO
28h 40m1 stop
$664Sun Country Air
Find Deal
Wed, 18 Jun - Sun, 22 Jun

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 $409 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 $409.

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 $522 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $772 and $648 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.
No, with an average price for the route of $500, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

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 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

High season

July

Cheapest flight

$159
Best time to beat the crowds (5% 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.

Flights from San Francisco to Chicago: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from San Francisco to Chicago 
DinaFlew with United AirlinesSFO-ORDDec 2024
Choose an airline that will accommodate your needs
GeraldFlew with Alaska AirlinesSFO-ORDOct 2024
Book a flight as early in the day as possible to avoid incoming flight delays.
DonFlew with American AirlinesSFO-ORDJun 2024
United offers the best service from SFO to ORD. Great capacity and several redundant flights in the event of a cancellation or delay.

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 $90 for a one-way ticket and $179 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, Delta, and Iberia 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 Airbus A321neo 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, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

Tuesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Wednesday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +23 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +24 more

Thursday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Friday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +21 more

Saturday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +21 more

Sunday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago to San Francisco

Monday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +22 more

ANA, Air Canada, +23 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +22 more

ANA, Air Canada, +23 more

Thursday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Friday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +21 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +22 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +22 more

ANA, Air Canada, +23 more

Sunday

ANA, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +22 more

ANA, Aer Lingus, +23 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Travelling to a place near Chicago?

Book flights to Chicago if you plan to visit one of these locations
Benton Harbor

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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