United's Polaris Lounges offer showers, daybeds, and dining for premium passengers.
Basic Economy on United allows a personal item but no carry-on bags.
Round-trip from | $203 (American Airlines) |
---|---|
One-way from | $99 (Southwest) |
Popular in | December |
Cheapest in | September |
Average price | $326 |
Good round-trip deal | $236 or less |
Good one-way deal | $141 or less |
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
Price
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Fri 8/29
6:50 pm-9:33 pm
Nonstop4h 43m
San Francisco
Mon 9/1
6:10 am-12:30 pm
Nonstop4h 20m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Sat 9/6
9:45 am-6:20 pm
2 stops10h 35m
San Francisco
Sat 9/13
6:20 pm-5:10 am
1 stop8h 50m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Sat 8/16
6:15 am-1:45 pm
1 stop9h 30m
San Francisco
Sat 8/23
9:05 pm-11:50 am
1 stop12h 45m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Tue 8/12
7:18 pm-10:06 pm
Nonstop4h 48m
San Francisco
Tue 9/16
7:55 pm-7:03 am
1 stop9h 08m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Wed 8/6
7:00 am-12:24 pm
1 stop7h 24m
San Francisco
Sun 8/10
11:55 am-6:18 pm
Nonstop4h 23m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Tue 7/1
7:18 pm-10:06 pm
Nonstop4h 48m
San Francisco
Sat 7/5
7:20 am-11:07 pm
1 stop13h 47m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Thu 8/28
6:00 am-11:29 am
1 stop7h 29m
San Francisco
Mon 9/8
5:45 am-9:02 pm
1 stop13h 17m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Fri 8/22
6:31 pm-12:19 am
1 stop7h 48m
San Francisco
Mon 8/25
10:29 pm-9:02 am
1 stop8h 33m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Sat 7/12
3:54 pm-6:44 pm
Nonstop4h 50m
San Francisco
Wed 7/23
6:43 pm-12:59 am
Nonstop4h 16m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Tue 7/1
9:24 am-2:34 pm
1 stop7h 10m
San Francisco
Fri 7/4
12:49 am-8:44 am
1 stop5h 55m
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco, you should look to book at least 84 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.
Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from Chicago to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $364). 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.
It’s optimal to fly from Chicago to San Francisco in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 9% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.
Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Chicago to San Francisco flight should consider departing on Thursday evenings 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.
The most flights from CHI to SFO are scheduled on a Thursday (94 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (63 on average).
In terms of precipitation, rainfall in San Francisco ranges from 0.0 - 4.4 inches per month. January is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.4 in. July is typically the driest time to visit San Francisco when rainfall is around 0.0 in.
If weather is an important factor for your trip to San Francisco, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, September is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 62.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 51.8 F).
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Crew
Boarding
Overall
Entertainment
Food
Comfort
Reviews
James,Apr 2025
LAX - SFO
Dozens of flights are waiting to carry you from the freeways and skyscrapers of Chicago to the fishing piers and historic neighborhoods of San Francisco. A major metropolis along the California coastline, the Bay Area is famous for its maritime atmosphere and architectural marvels such as the Ferry Building Marketplace and the Legion of Honor. Browse direct flights between these two major travel hubs to find a cheap flight to match your travel schedule.
The moment you leave the Windy City behind and step onto the hilly streets San Francisco, the historic Bay Area instantly transports you to a world of cable cars and charming wharfs. Trade the trains of Chicago for the ferries and whale-watching bay cruises of this California city, and enjoy milder winter months with temperatures hovering in the 60's F. Before saying goodbye to the Golden Gate Bridge, don't forget to tour Alcatraz Island and enjoy the catch of the day at one of the bay-side seafood shacks.
The Golden Gate Bridge is just a short flight away, so what's stopping you? Try out our smart search engine to find great flight deals and start planning your San Francisco adventure.
Airline | Cheapest | Average | Flexibility | On-time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cheapest$78 | Average$236 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time62% | |
Cheapest$108 | Average$226 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time85% | |
Cheapest$128 | Average$384 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-timeN/A | |
Cheapest$167 | Average$287 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time75% | |
Cheapest$179 | Average$338 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time69% | |
Cheapest$197 | Average$315 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time71% | |
Cheapest$257 | Average$436 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time63% |