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$142+ 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 8/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHI — SBA
jul. 7 — jul. 141
lun. 7/7
lun. 7/14
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Chicago to Santa Barbara are usually found in January or September, booked 46 days in advance, depart on a Monday or Friday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap 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 julio 2, 2025.

Round-trip from

$280
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$142
(Hawaiian Airlines)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$548
From Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
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One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 5% potential increase in price ($29 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Find 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 julio 2, 2025.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
mar. 7/297:40 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 00mUnited Airlines
mar. 8/56:45 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 33mUnited Airlines
Deal found 7/1$280
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
mié. 8/131:30 pmORD - SBA
1 stop8h 38mDelta
mié. 8/2012:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop7h 24mDelta
Deal found 7/1$285
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
mié. 8/1310:25 amORD - SBA
2 stops9h 43mAmerican Airlines
mié. 8/201:01 pmSBA - ORD
2 stops8h 42mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/1$297
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/30. 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.
jue. 8/286:20 amORD - SBA
1 stop14h 19mAlaska Airlines
dom. 8/317:30 amSBA - ORD
1 stop19h 30mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/30$317
This Hawaiian Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/30. 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 Hawaiian Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
vie. 9/1910:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop10h 41mHawaiian Airlines
mar. 9/2311:14 amSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 53mHawaiian Airlines
Deal found 6/30$346
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/30. 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.
jue. 8/286:15 amORD - SBA
2 stops10h 05mSouthwest
dom. 8/311:20 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 6/30$394

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 julio 2, 2025.
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

mar. 7/29

7:40 pm-11:40 pm

1 stop6h 00m

Santa Barbara

mar. 8/5

6:45 pm-5:18 am

1 stop8h 33m

$280

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

mié. 8/13

1:30 pm-8:08 pm

1 stop8h 38m

Santa Barbara

mié. 8/20

12:40 pm-10:04 pm

1 stop7h 24m

$285

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

mié. 8/13

10:25 am-6:08 pm

2 stops9h 43m

Santa Barbara

mié. 8/20

1:01 pm-11:43 pm

2 stops8h 42m

$297

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

jue. 8/28

6:20 am-6:39 pm

1 stop14h 19m

Santa Barbara

dom. 8/31

7:30 am-5:00 am

1 stop19h 30m

$317

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

vie. 9/19

10:00 am-6:41 pm

1 stop10h 41m

Santa Barbara

mar. 9/23

11:14 am-10:07 pm

1 stop8h 53m

$346

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

jue. 8/28

6:15 am-2:20 pm

2 stops10h 05m

Santa Barbara

dom. 8/31

1:20 pm-9:30 pm

1 stop6h 10m

$394

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

mar. 8/19

10:00 am-6:40 pm

1 stop10h 40m

$142

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

sáb. 8/2

1:35 pm-8:23 pm

1 stop8h 48m

$143

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

jue. 10/2

7:18 am-2:42 pm

1 stop9h 24m

$171

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

jue. 10/2

2:50 pm-11:20 pm

2 stops10h 30m

$181

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/30

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
1
2

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

How far ahead should I book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Price data was last updated on June 27, 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara, you should look to book at least 46 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 Santa Barbara?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $474). 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 SBA?

Find hourly flight availability from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated julio 2, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Chicago to Santa Barbara in the morning. Doing so could potentially save you 4% on the flight price compared to flying in the afternoon, which is usually more expensive.

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 julio 2, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and Delta 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.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,272 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,983 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Hawaiian Airlines
7.8
Good
2,540 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,861 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

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. 4 airlines have flights to Santa Barbara from Chicago on a regular basis.

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

    United Airlines, at $280, was found to be the cheapest airline from Chicago to Santa Barbara.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include Delta and American Airlines. These flights start at 38% 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 Hawaiian Airlines, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $142. Delta flights start at $143 while deals on United Airlines start at $171 one-way.

  • 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, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $474). 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 Chicago?

Book flights to Chicago if you plan to visit one of these locations
Buellton
Santa Ynez

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Alternative routes for Chicago to Santa Barbara

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 4 airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 4 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 julio 2, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$312Average$496FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$316Average$426FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$318Average$386FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$346Average$514FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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