
Most accurate provider | FlightHub 3 stars |
|---|---|
Most trusted provider | FlightHub 3 stars |
Round-trip from | $297 (Frontier) |
One-way from | $141 (Kiwi.com) |
Popular in | June |
Cheapest in | September |
Average price | $449 |
Good round-trip deal | $311 or less |
Good one-way deal | $203 or less |
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Sat 7/11
7:30 am-10:19 am
Nonstop4h 49m
San Francisco
Wed 7/15
2:29 pm-9:03 pm
Nonstop4h 34m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Thu 7/23
9:30 pm-12:15 am
Nonstop4h 45m
San Francisco
Mon 7/27
11:40 pm-5:55 am
Nonstop4h 15m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Thu 8/13
9:30 pm-12:05 am
Nonstop4h 35m
San Francisco
Wed 8/19
10:30 am-4:40 pm
Nonstop4h 10m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Thu 7/9
6:10 am-8:47 am
Nonstop4h 37m
San Francisco
Tue 7/14
12:50 am-7:16 am
Nonstop4h 26m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Fri 8/14
10:15 am-12:50 pm
Nonstop4h 35m
San Francisco
Mon 8/17
11:40 pm-5:50 am
Nonstop4h 10m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Wed 8/12
1:55 pm-6:15 pm
1 stop6h 20m
San Francisco
Mon 8/17
5:35 am-11:40 am
Nonstop4h 05m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Tue 7/21
9:30 pm-12:15 am
Nonstop4h 45m
San Francisco
Tue 7/28
3:10 pm-12:10 am
1 stop7h 00m
ChicagoSan Francisco
ORD - SFO
ORDSFO
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Wed 12/2
2:54 pm-7:40 pm
1 stop6h 46m
San Francisco
Thu 12/3
9:15 am-7:55 pm
1 stop8h 40m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Thu 7/9
9:30 pm-12:15 am
Nonstop4h 45m
San Francisco
Wed 7/15
5:00 am-2:35 pm
2 stops7h 35m
ChicagoSan Francisco
MDW - SFO
MDWSFO
Chicago Midway
Fri 9/11
2:50 pm-8:30 pm
1 stop7h 40m
San Francisco
Mon 9/14
11:40 pm-5:50 am
Nonstop4h 10m
| Provider | Price Accuracy | Trust Score* |
|---|---|---|
| Price Accuracy1 star | Trust Score*3 stars | |
| Price Accuracy3 stars | Trust Score*3 stars | |
| Price Accuracy- | Trust Score*1 star | |
| Price Accuracy- | Trust Score*3 stars | |
| Price Accuracy1 star | Trust Score*3 stars |
Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco (average of $345). Flying from Chicago to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $541). 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 morning. By choosing this option you can save up to 13% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight at noon.
The most flights from CHI to SFO are scheduled on a Friday (96 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (56 on average).
Denver (DEN) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 75% of 1-stop itineraries from Chicago to San Francisco on Cheapflights.
Atlanta (ATL) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $230.
Flights via Denver (DEN) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 9h 32m.
Flights via Atlanta (ATL) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 2h 59m.
About 23% of weekly flights between Chicago and San Francisco have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 176 minutes.
Historically, flights departing in the morning are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving at night tend to experience delays more often.
Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Sunday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.
Over the last year, United Airlines have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 20% of flights being delayed.
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco, you should look to book at least 63 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.
Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Chicago to San Francisco flight should consider departing on Tuesday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
Overall
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Food
Entertainment
Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
Overall
Comfort
Crew
Boarding
Food
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Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
Overall
Comfort
Crew
Boarding
Food
Entertainment
Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
Overall
Comfort
Crew
Boarding
Food
Entertainment
Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
Overall
Comfort
Crew
Boarding
Food
Entertainment
Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
Overall
Comfort
Crew
Boarding
Food
Entertainment
Reviews
robert,Feb 2026
LAS - SAN
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$116 | Average$240 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time62% | |
| Cheapest$128 | Average$363 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-timeN/A | |
| Cheapest$138 | Average$368 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time63% | |
| Cheapest$159 | Average$301 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time62% | |
| Cheapest$205 | Average$406 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time71% | |
| Cheapest$207 | Average$367 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time75% | |
| Cheapest$239 | Average$457 | FlexibilityNo cancel fee | On-time69% |