San Francisco

$105+ Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO)

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 11/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHI — SFO
Oct 29 — Nov 51
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Chicago to San Francisco are usually found in July or February, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Friday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO). 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 September 29, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$214
(Booking.com)

One-way from

$105
(Frontier)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

July

Average price

$299

Good round-trip deal

$298 or less

Good one-way deal

$165 or less
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
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 8% potential increase in price ($30 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco.
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco.

Find flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco

Cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Chicago to San Francisco. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 29, 2025.

This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 10/257:05 amORD - SFO
1 stop17h 24mFrontier
Sat 11/19:55 pmSFO - ORD
1 stop25h 50mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$214
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/306:00 amORD - SFO
2 stops10h 09mFrontier
Mon 11/33:25 pmSFO - ORD
1 stop6h 50mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$216
This Gotogate deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/28. 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 Gotogate is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/236:24 pmMDW - SFO
1 stop21h 58mFrontier
Thu 10/304:06 pmSFO - MDW
1 stop23h 09mFrontier
Deal found 9/28$217
This eDestinos deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/28. 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 eDestinos is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 10/287:14 amORD - SFO
1 stop17h 13mMultiple Airlines
Tue 11/410:35 amSFO - ORD
1 stop7h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 9/28$217
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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.
Wed 11/59:20 amORD - SFO
1 stop14h 41mAlaska Airlines
Wed 11/127:00 amSFO - ORD
1 stop14h 59mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 9/27$218
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 10/205:10 amMDW - SFO
1 stop12h 50mFrontier
Mon 10/2710:23 pmSFO - MDW
1 stop11h 15mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$219
This Orbitz deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/28. 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 Orbitz is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 11/56:05 pmORD - SFO
1 stop6h 22mMultiple Airlines
Wed 11/129:51 amSFO - ORD
2 stops12h 08mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 9/28$219
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 10/187:05 amORD - SFO
1 stop17h 24mFrontier
Mon 10/206:34 amSFO - ORD
1 stop16h 25mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$220
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 10/139:54 pmORD - SFO
1 stop25h 28mFrontier
Mon 10/206:34 amSFO - ORD
1 stop16h 25mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$221
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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.
Thu 10/235:25 amORD - SFO
1 stop12h 35mFrontier
Sat 10/2510:24 amSFO - ORD
2 stops11h 29mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$222
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/26. 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 10/155:28 pmORD - SFO
2 stops17h 16mFrontier
Sun 10/266:34 amSFO - ORD
1 stop25h 02mFrontier
Deal found 9/26$224
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/27. 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.
Fri 10/316:00 amORD - SFO
2 stops10h 04mFrontier
Sun 11/210:23 pmSFO - ORD
1 stop10h 18mFrontier
Deal found 9/27$225

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Chicago to San Francisco 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 September 29, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Chicago to San Francisco that are best for you.

Fly from

Chicago

Fly to

San Francisco

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Wed 12/3

12:05 pm-5:25 pm

1 stop7h 20m

San Francisco

Tue 12/9

6:10 am-12:15 pm

Nonstop4h 05m

$253

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Tue 11/11

10:47 am-6:14 pm

1 stop9h 27m

San Francisco

Wed 11/12

7:15 am-4:39 pm

1 stop7h 24m

$257

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Wed 11/19

5:34 pm-12:13 am

1 stop8h 39m

San Francisco

Wed 12/3

10:45 pm-8:54 am

1 stop8h 09m

$257

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Wed 11/12

6:00 am-12:30 pm

1 stop8h 30m

San Francisco

Wed 11/19

7:15 am-4:39 pm

1 stop7h 24m

$257

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Wed 10/22

1:08 pm-5:51 pm

1 stop6h 43m

San Francisco

Tue 10/28

12:35 am-8:55 am

1 stop6h 20m

$257

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Tue 10/21

5:30 pm-11:05 pm

2 stops7h 35m

San Francisco

Tue 10/28

6:30 am-12:35 pm

Nonstop4h 05m

$258

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Thu 10/23

12:55 pm-3:25 pm

Nonstop4h 30m

San Francisco

Wed 10/29

1:05 pm-11:35 pm

1 stop8h 30m

$266

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 10/20

7:59 pm-9:06 am

1 stop15h 07m

San Francisco

Wed 10/22

10:26 am-11:59 pm

1 stop11h 33m

$268

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 10/27

7:10 am-9:55 am

Nonstop4h 45m

San Francisco

Mon 11/3

11:44 pm-6:02 am

Nonstop4h 18m

$269

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 11/24

8:20 am-10:42 pm

1 stop16h 22m

San Francisco

Tue 12/2

7:00 am-11:50 pm

1 stop14h 50m

$269

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/29

Showing 1-10 of 41 results
1
2
3
...
5

Compare providers for flights from Chicago to San Francisco

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 Chicago to San Francisco in September.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
JustAirTicketPrice Accuracy-Trust Score*3 stars
CheapflightsfaresPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*1 star
CheapTicketsDealPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 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 Chicago-San Francisco flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Chicago-San Francisco flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Chicago-San Francisco flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Chicago-San Francisco flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub 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 Chicago-San Francisco flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

The best insider tips for Chicago to San Francisco flights

Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of Cheapflights-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
Cheapflights partnered with top experts to bring you the best recommendations for your Chicago to San Francisco trip
Airlines
United Airlines

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.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska's Premium Class offers extra legroom and free cocktails, but no divider from Main Cabin.


Alaska's Wi-Fi is a flat fee, ideal for business travelers to stay productive.

Airports
ORD

For a quick snack before your flight, grab some Garrett Popcorn near gate B8, a Chicago favorite.

Read more about ORDby Ramsey Qubein
SFO

Travel from SFO to downtown San Francisco via BART. It's the least expensive option and takes about 40 minutes.

Read more about SFOby Harriet Baskas
Our travel experts
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on United Airlines and SFO

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Read more
Robert Schrader

Robert Schrader

Expert on Alaska Airlines

Robert Schrader

Robert Schrader

One of the web's original travel bloggers, Robert launched his first site Leave Your Daily Hell in 2009. Since then, he's expanded into destination niche sites (one each for Japan, Thailand and Taiwan), in addition to having written for the inflight magazines of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Overall, he's visited nearly 100 countries, and flies business as often as possible.

Read more
Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on ORD

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Read more

Best time to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco 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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on September 26, 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco, you should look to book at least 83 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.

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

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 $357). 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 SFO?

Find hourly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated September 29, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Chicago to San Francisco in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 21% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Chicago to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on September 28, 2025.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Chicago to San Francisco flight should consider departing on Wednesday 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.

Weekly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco

Explore weekly flight availability from Chicago to San Francisco. 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 September 29, 2025.

The most flights from CHI to SFO are scheduled on a Monday (96 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (52 on average).

What’s the top layover airport for flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

Share of 1-stop round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, using the same layover each way.

Denver (DEN) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 75% of 1-stop itineraries from Chicago to San Francisco on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

Average round-trip fare for 1-stop flights from Chicago to San Francisco, chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, with the same layover each way.

Atlanta (ATL) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $177.

What’s the fastest layover option from Chicago to San Francisco?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from Chicago to San Francisco, based on itineraries clicked by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months, grouped by layover airport.

Flights via Denver (DEN) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 7h 24m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

Average layover duration for 1-stop one-way flights from Chicago to San Francisco, chosen by Cheapflights users in the last 12 months, grouped by stopover airport.

Flights via Seattle (SEA) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 1h 40m.

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco. 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. Reviews last updated September 29, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and United Airlines from Chicago to San Francisco. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Chicago to San Francisco Travel Guide

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.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Chicago to San Francisco. 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?

    Flights times from Chicago to San Francisco usually range from four hours and 15 minutes to four and a half hours. If you have a connection in another city, total travel time may be upwards of six hours.

  • Which airlines operate flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

    American Airlines, United, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines all offer non-stop service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and you can find direct flights from Midway International Airport through Southwest Airlines.

  • How frequent are flights between Chicago and San Francisco?

    Upwards of 20 direct flights to San Francisco leave from Chicago O'Hare per day, with planes departing every hour or so. From Midway, You can choose from around 3 flights leaving each day.

  • Which airports serve Chicago and San Francisco?

    Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the Chicago metro area as well as a major U.S. travel hub, offering daily flights to San Francisco through multiple airlines. Chicago Midway International Airport is a smaller airport that also offers a few flights to the Bay Area, though you have a smaller selection of flight times and prices. When your plane lands in San Francisco, you find yourself in San Francisco International Airport, the area's major airport located a few miles south of the central city area.

  • Which direct flight route between Chicago and San Francisco is cheapest?

    Find the lowest prices on direct flights running from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. You can also occasionally snag a great deal taking off from Midway International Airport, so be sure to keep your options open while searching.

  • What airport do you fly into for flights to San Francisco from Chicago?

    Located just 11.8 mi from the city center, San Francisco is the airport most travelers will use when flying to San Francisco from Chicago. Booking flights from Chicago to San Francisco (SFO) should be relatively easy as there are 73 daily inbound flights from Chicago from 8 different airlines.

  • How long is the flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

    Departing from Chicago to San Francisco will take you 7h 20m. Chicago and San Francisco are separated by a distance of 1849 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco round-trip?

    Flying on Hawaiian Airlines is currently your cheapest option to San Francisco, with prices starting at $108. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Sun Country Air and Frontier, with the lowest prices starting at $112 and $123, respectively. Users have found that Hawaiian Airlines is 65% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

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

    $109 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Alaska Airlines. You may also be able to find cheap deals on United Airlines and Southwest, with prices starting from $117 and $127, respectively.

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

    Before booking your flight to San Francisco from Chicago, check out the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time: Air China (84%), ANA (80%), United Airlines( 76%).

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

    While on average a flight from Chicago to San Francisco is generally $970, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $98. When looking at the most popular route, (Chicago O'Hare Intl - San Francisco), you can expect to pay $166 for that flight.

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

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

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

    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.

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

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

    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 $357). 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 San Francisco?

Book flights to San Francisco if you plan to visit one of these locations
Roseville
Santa Cruz
Livermore
South San Francisco
Turlock
Antioch
Watsonville
Santa Clara
Manteca
Sunnyvale
Hollister
Vacaville
Foster City
Union City
Vallejo
Fairfield
Burlingame
Redwood City
San Mateo
San Leandro

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Chicago to San Francisco

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

Top 8 airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco

Discover the top 8 airlines that operate flights from Chicago to San Francisco. 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 September 29, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Hawaiian AirlinesCheapest$108Average$217FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time85%
Sun Country AirCheapest$112Average$335FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time83%
FrontierCheapest$123Average$272FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$128Average$320FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$180Average$380FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
Alaska AirlinesCheapest$188Average$285FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
American AirlinesCheapest$197Average$304FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$200Average$392FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.