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$179+ Cheap flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 5/16. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — CHI
May 6 — May 131
Tue 5/6
Tue 5/13
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated May 1, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$305
(Alaska Airlines)

One-way from

$179
(United Airlines)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$482

Good one-way deal

$169 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flights.
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From Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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One-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 8% potential increase in price ($46 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 5% potential price decrease ($25 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in May 2025
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI).
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Find flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on May 1, 2025.

This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/29. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 5/256:27 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 13mAlaska Airlines
Tue 6/310:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop9h 37mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 4/29$305
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 5/215:45 amSBA - ORD
2 stops11h 05mDelta
Sat 5/247:30 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 32mDelta
Deal found 4/30$311
This Hawaiian Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/29. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Hawaiian Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/306:27 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 13mHawaiian Airlines
Tue 6/310:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop9h 37mHawaiian Airlines
Deal found 4/29$327
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 5/214:25 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 12mAmerican Airlines
Sat 5/246:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop8h 34mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 4/30$335
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/29. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 5/293:35 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 05mSouthwest
Thu 6/55:25 pmORD - SBA
1 stop8h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 4/29$351
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 4/30. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 5/155:00 amSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 15mUnited Airlines
Mon 5/197:45 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 4/30$357

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated May 1, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that are best for you.

Fly from

Santa Barbara

Fly to

Chicago

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sat 5/24

6:27 pm-5:40 am

1 stop9h 13m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 5/27

7:51 pm-10:33 am

1 stop16h 42m

$305

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Wed 5/21

5:45 am-6:50 pm

2 stops11h 05m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 5/24

7:30 am-12:02 pm

1 stop6h 32m

$311

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 5/30

6:27 pm-5:40 am

1 stop9h 13m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 6/3

10:00 am-5:37 pm

1 stop9h 37m

$327

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Wed 5/21

4:25 pm-12:37 am

1 stop6h 12m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 5/24

6:00 am-12:34 pm

1 stop8h 34m

$335

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 5/15

5:00 am-1:15 pm

1 stop6h 15m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 5/19

7:45 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 14m

$357

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Tue 5/13

6:15 am-3:25 pm

1 stop7h 10m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 5/16

6:15 am-11:35 am

1 stop7h 20m

$419

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 5/16

2:04 pm-1:16 am

1 stop9h 12m

$179

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sat 7/19

6:12 am-5:20 pm

2 stops9h 08m

$184

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 5/16

6:27 pm-5:40 am

1 stop9h 13m

$200

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 5/15

11:15 am-11:40 pm

2 stops10h 25m

$206

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 4/30

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago in May.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*2 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Santa Barbara-Chicago flights, users find the pricing of eDreams to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. eDreams Users can find the same prices on Santa Barbara-Chicago flight deals on Cheapflights vs. eDreams >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Santa Barbara-Chicago flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Santa Barbara-Chicago flights, Cheapflights users trust eDreams the most. eDreams has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Santa Barbara-Chicago flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Chicago from Santa Barbara with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SBA to CHI?

Find hourly flight availability from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated May 1, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 8% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

Rainfall in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Chicago ranges from 1.7 - 4.9 inches per month. August is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.9 in. January is typically the driest time to visit Chicago when rainfall is around 1.7 in.

Temperature in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Chicago, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 23.0 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Chicago

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Chicago. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Chicago. Reviews last updated May 1, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta from Santa Barbara to Chicago have to say. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,294 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,934 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Hawaiian Airlines
7.9
Good
2,408 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,696 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,968 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    If you book a flight to Chicago from Santa Barbara, you will be flying from Santa Barbara, which is the city’s only airport. Santa Barbara (SBA) is located 8.0 mi from the center of Santa Barbara. There are 0 flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago per day from 3 different airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago round-trip?

    Flying on Alaska Airlines is currently your cheapest option to Chicago, with prices starting at $305. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Delta and Hawaiian Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $311 and $327, respectively. You may be able to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago for 36% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago are United Airlines ($179), American Airlines ($184), and Hawaiian Airlines ($200).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    On average you can expect to pay $219 for a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago. The cheapest flight overall is $169 while the most popular route, (Santa Barbara - Chicago O'Hare Intl) is currently priced at $308.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Santa Barbara to Chicago flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Merrillville
Hammond
Benton Harbor
Porter
Lansing
Valparaiso
Chesterton

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Top 3 airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated May 1, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$306Average$377FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$317Average$455FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$326Average$422FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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