San Francisco Bay Area

$81+ Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco Bay Area

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 4/29. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHI — SFO
Mar 5 — Mar 121
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Cheap flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

Cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on February 3, 2026.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/45:15 am
ORD
-
SJC
2 stops38h 29m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 3/98:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop7h 48m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/1$190
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/31. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/411:51 am
ORD
-
SJC
2 stops31h 53m
Frontier
Mon 3/98:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop7h 48m
Frontier
Deal found 1/31$192
This Expedia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 4/243:52 pm
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop9h 03m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 4/278:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop8h 27m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/1$207
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/3. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/48:20 am
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop11h 13m
Alaska Airlines
Thu 3/57:00 am
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop14h 59m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 2/3$210
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 3/36:02 pm
ORD
-
SJC
2 stops41h 37m
Frontier
Mon 3/98:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop7h 48m
Frontier
Deal found 2/1$217
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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.
Tue 2/2411:10 am
MDW
-
OAK
Nonstop4h 55m
Southwest
Sat 3/145:40 am
OAK
-
MDW
Nonstop4h 00m
Southwest
Deal found 2/2$217
This Trip.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Trip.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/23:54 pm
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop9h 05m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 3/98:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop7h 48m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 2/2$219
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/31. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 4/187:21 pm
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop26h 04m
Frontier
Thu 4/236:57 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop9h 50m
Frontier
Deal found 1/31$222
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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.
Thu 4/303:52 pm
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop9h 03m
Alaska Airlines
Wed 5/610:21 am
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop6h 42m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 2/2$223
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 5/77:59 pm
ORD
-
OAK
1 stop16h 18m
Alaska Airlines
Mon 5/116:55 pm
OAK
-
ORD
1 stop16h 18m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 2/1$223
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 4/83:29 pm
ORD
-
SJC
2 stops29h 33m
Frontier
Mon 4/1310:29 am
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop18h 18m
Frontier
Deal found 2/2$225
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 4/159:18 pm
ORD
-
SJC
1 stop22h 44m
Frontier
Sun 4/198:20 pm
SJC
-
ORD
1 stop8h 27m
Frontier
Deal found 2/2$230

Find flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area flight deals. Data was last updated February 3, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$190
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$81
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

July

Average price

$315
Provider with most accurate pricing for Chicago (CHI)-San Francisco flight deals.
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Chicago (CHI)-San Francisco flights.
From Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco Bay Area
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco Bay Area
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 19% potential increase in price ($77 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in February 2026

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area 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 February 3, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area that are best for you.

Fly from

Chicago

Fly to

San Francisco Bay Area

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoOakland

MDW - OAK

MDWOAK

Chicago Midway

Tue 2/24

11:10 am-2:05 pm

Nonstop4h 55m

Oakland

Sat 3/14

5:40 am-11:40 am

Nonstop4h 00m

$217

ChicagoOakland

MDW - OAK

MDWOAK

Chicago Midway

Sat 3/14

9:40 pm-12:20 am

Nonstop4h 40m

Oakland

Tue 3/17

11:55 pm-5:55 am

Nonstop4h 00m

$217

ChicagoOakland

MDW - OAK

MDWOAK

Chicago Midway

Sat 2/28

8:55 pm-11:50 pm

Nonstop4h 55m

Oakland

Sat 3/7

11:55 pm-5:55 am

Nonstop4h 00m

$217

ChicagoOakland

MDW - OAK

MDWOAK

Chicago Midway

Tue 2/24

11:10 am-2:05 pm

Nonstop4h 55m

Oakland

Thu 3/12

8:30 pm-4:35 am

1 stop6h 05m

$227

ChicagoOakland

ORD - OAK

ORDOAK

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 3/2

6:45 pm-11:51 pm

1 stop7h 06m

Oakland

Tue 3/10

12:35 pm-9:34 pm

1 stop6h 59m

$237

ChicagoOakland

ORD - OAK

ORDOAK

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 2/25

3:54 pm-10:49 pm

1 stop8h 55m

Oakland

Sat 2/28

6:15 am-4:33 pm

1 stop8h 18m

$237

ChicagoOakland

ORD - OAK

ORDOAK

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 3/1

6:45 pm-11:51 pm

1 stop7h 06m

Oakland

Thu 3/5

5:55 am-6:01 pm

2 stops10h 06m

$242

ChicagoOakland

ORD - OAK

ORDOAK

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 3/3

5:25 am-4:12 pm

2 stops12h 47m

Oakland

Tue 3/10

4:49 pm-8:30 am

2 stops13h 41m

$247

ChicagoOakland

MDW - OAK

MDWOAK

Chicago Midway

Tue 2/24

1:49 pm-11:51 pm

2 stops12h 02m

Oakland

Tue 3/3

5:55 am-5:37 pm

2 stops9h 42m

$247

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 2/25

6:25 am-9:27 am

Nonstop5h 02m

San Francisco

Mon 3/2

11:59 pm-6:19 am

Nonstop4h 20m

$250

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/2

Showing 1-10 of 60 results
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Best time to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco Bay Area from Chicago 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 Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

Currently, October is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area (average of $80). Flying from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area in November is currently the most expensive (average of $207). 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 CHI to XIH?

Find hourly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area in the evening. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 25% on your trip compared to booking a flight in the morning.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. Price data was last updated on January 31, 2026.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area flight should consider departing on Tuesday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday at noon flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

Explore weekly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

The most flights from CHI to zzXIH are scheduled on a Monday (53 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (27 on average).

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco Bay Area

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco Bay Area. 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 San Francisco Bay Area. Reviews last updated February 3, 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and United Airlines from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Jan 2026

STS - LAX

Enjoyed staff assistance from ticking thru tsa , boarding and in the plane Couldn’t pick a seat except upgrading

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • How long is the flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

    A quick flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area can take about 4h 55m. Southwest provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $217. Airlines will cover a distance of 1839 mi. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area are JetBlue ($73), Frontier ($80), and Spirit Airlines ($88).

  • What are the most popular routes from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Consider ANA (89%), British Airways (73%) or Lufthansa (72%) when booking your flight. These represent the most reliable airlines when flying from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area? While on average our users pay $1,169, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $109. The most popular route (Chicago O'Hare Intl - San Francisco), is priced around $179.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

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

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area 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 Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Currently, October is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area (average of $80). Flying from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area in November is currently the most expensive (average of $207). 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Alternative routes for Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Top 10 airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area

Discover the top 10 airlines that operate flights from Chicago to San Francisco Bay Area. 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 February 3, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Spirit AirlinesCheapest$53Average$215FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time65%
FrontierCheapest$80Average$212FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Hawaiian AirlinesCheapest$108Average$382FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time85%
Sun Country AirCheapest$112Average$374FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time83%
DeltaCheapest$128Average$349FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$138Average$427FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
JetBlueCheapest$183Average$304FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Alaska AirlinesCheapest$187Average$324FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
American AirlinesCheapest$197Average$543FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$207Average$428FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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