HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Santa Barbara

$119+ Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

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 4/28. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHI — SBA
Feb 28 — Mar 71
Sat 2/28
Sat 3/7
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara 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.

Cheap flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Cheapest flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 29, 2026.

This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 4/223:52 pm
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop8h 48m
Alaska Airlines
Sat 4/256:00 am
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop11h 03m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 1/27$237
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 2/257:00 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop8h 47m
Alaska Airlines
Wed 3/42:38 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop19h 23m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 1/27$257
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 2/145:35 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop8h 13m
American Airlines
Sat 2/2112:38 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop6h 47m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/27$267
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/28. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 4/188:45 am
ORD
-
SBA
Nonstop4h 30m
United Airlines
Sun 4/1912:15 pm
SBA
-
ORD
Nonstop4h 00m
United Airlines
Deal found 1/28$269
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/265:00 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop8h 48m
American Airlines
Sun 3/17:05 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop8h 20m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/27$277
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/238:03 pm
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop6h 33m
United Airlines
Tue 4/2812:15 pm
SBA
-
ORD
Nonstop4h 00m
United Airlines
Deal found 1/27$279
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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.
Thu 4/237:59 pm
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop20h 17m
Alaska Airlines
Tue 4/287:07 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop9h 33m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 1/27$280
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/28. 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 Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/16:00 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop14h 19m
Alaska Airlines
Wed 5/66:00 am
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop11h 03m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 1/28$286
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/85:00 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop9h 15m
American Airlines
Sun 5/107:13 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop8h 11m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/27$289
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/28. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 2/101:25 pm
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop7h 08m
American Airlines
Sat 2/144:40 pm
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop6h 11m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/28$292
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/267:15 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop6h 40m
Delta
Thu 3/55:40 am
SBA
-
ORD
2 stops10h 21m
Delta
Deal found 1/27$294
This Orbitz deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/28. 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.
Sun 4/196:00 am
ORD
-
SBA
1 stop13h 29m
Alaska Airlines
Thu 4/236:00 am
SBA
-
ORD
1 stop11h 03m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 1/28$296

Find flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara (SBA). 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 January 29, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$237
(Alaska Airlines)

One-way from

$119
(Delta)

Popular in

September

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$289

Good round-trip deal

$279 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Chicago (CHI)-Santa Barbara flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Chicago (CHI)-Santa Barbara flights.
Search Deals
From Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
Search Deals
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 23% potential increase in price ($144 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 7% potential price decrease ($34 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in January 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara.
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara 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 January 29, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

Chicago

Fly to

Santa Barbara

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 2/14

5:35 am-11:48 am

1 stop8h 13m

Santa Barbara

Sat 2/21

12:38 pm-9:25 pm

1 stop6h 47m

$267

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 4/23

3:45 pm-11:58 pm

1 stop10h 13m

Santa Barbara

Mon 4/27

12:15 pm-6:15 pm

Nonstop4h 00m

$279

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 4/30

7:00 am-1:39 pm

1 stop8h 39m

Santa Barbara

Mon 5/4

12:32 pm-6:32 pm

Nonstop4h 00m

$279

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 3/23

7:40 pm-12:39 am

1 stop6h 59m

Santa Barbara

Mon 3/30

2:16 pm-12:59 am

1 stop8h 43m

$289

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 2/22

5:00 am-11:48 am

1 stop8h 48m

Santa Barbara

Sun 3/8

6:55 pm-5:25 am

1 stop8h 30m

$292

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 4/30

7:20 am-11:59 am

1 stop6h 39m

Santa Barbara

Mon 5/4

4:53 pm-8:40 am

2 stops13h 47m

$294

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 5/1

1:36 pm-9:55 pm

2 stops10h 19m

Santa Barbara

Wed 5/6

12:39 pm-9:18 pm

1 stop6h 39m

$294

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 4/19

6:00 am-5:29 pm

1 stop13h 29m

Santa Barbara

Thu 4/23

6:00 am-7:03 pm

1 stop11h 03m

$296

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 4/22

8:45 am-11:15 am

Nonstop4h 30m

Santa Barbara

Sat 4/25

12:15 pm-6:15 pm

Nonstop4h 00m

$301

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 3/7

5:15 pm-9:53 pm

1 stop6h 38m

Santa Barbara

Tue 3/10

4:50 pm-8:30 am

2 stops13h 40m

$314

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/28

Showing 1-10 of 23 results
1
2
3

Compare providers for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara

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 Santa Barbara in January.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice 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-Santa Barbara flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Chicago-Santa Barbara flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Chicago-Santa Barbara flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Chicago-Santa Barbara 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-Santa Barbara 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 Chicago to Santa Barbara

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara

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

Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara (average of $80). Flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara in January is currently the most expensive (average of $134). 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.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

What’s the top layover airport for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

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

Las Vegas (LAS) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 80% of 1-stop itineraries from Chicago to Santa Barbara on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

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

San Francisco (SFO) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $288.

What’s the fastest layover option from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara, 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: 6h 25m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

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

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 1h 23m.

Reviews of airlines servicing Santa Barbara

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara. Reviews last updated January 29, 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Chicago to Santa Barbara by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Delta
7.9
Good
8,128 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,215 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,205 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Chicago to Santa Barbara. 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 into for flights to Santa Barbara from Chicago?

    For a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara, you will be flying into Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara (SBA) is just 8.0 mi from the center of the city. Santa Barbara is the only Santa Barbara airport and it handles 0 inbound flights from Chicago per day. 3 airlines have flights to Santa Barbara from Chicago on a regular basis.

  • How long is the flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

    American Airlines and United Airlines can get you from Chicago to Santa Barbara in just under 8h 13m. Your travel time can differ by up to 2h. There are 1798 mi between Chicago and Santa Barbara. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

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

    American Airlines, at $262, was found to be the cheapest airline from Chicago to Santa Barbara.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include United Airlines and Southwest. These flights start at 43% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Delta, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $92. Southwest flights start at $142 while deals on American Airlines start at $156 one-way.

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

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara? While on average our users pay $349, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $269. The most popular route (Chicago O'Hare Intl - Santa Barbara), is priced around $257.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

    Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara (average of $80). Flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara in January is currently the most expensive (average of $134). 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
Santa Ynez
Buellton

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 Santa Barbara

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
O'Hare Intl to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to San Francisco flights
Midway to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Ana flights
O'Hare Intl to San Diego flights
Midway to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to Ontario flights
St. Louis to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Palm Springs flights
O'Hare Intl to Burbank flights
O'Hare Intl to Reno flights
St. Louis to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to San Jose flights
Rockford to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Sacramento flights
Midway to San Francisco flights
O'Hare Intl to Oakland flights
Midway to Santa Ana flights
Midway to San Diego flights
St. Louis to San Francisco flights
Midway to Palm Springs flights
St. Louis to San Diego flights
Midway to Reno flights
St. Louis to Ontario flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Barbara flights
O'Hare Intl to Long Beach flights
Midway to Oakland flights
O'Hare Intl to Fresno flights
Peoria to Las Vegas flights
Moline to Las Vegas flights
Midway to San Jose flights
Midway to Burbank flights
Midway to Ontario flights
Midway to Sacramento flights
Peoria to Los Angeles flights
St. Louis to Sacramento flights
St. Louis to Santa Ana flights
St. Louis to San Jose flights
St. Louis to Reno flights
St. Louis to Oakland flights
Moline to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to Monterey flights
Peoria to Santa Ana flights
Bloomington to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Rosa flights
St. Louis to Burbank flights
St. Louis to Fresno flights
Evansville to Las Vegas flights
St. Louis to Palm Springs flights

Top 3 airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara. 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 January 29, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$262Average$441FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$279Average$442FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$312Average$474FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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.