Cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco
Flights overview
Prices shown are for one adult in Economy class flights from Zürich to New York. This includes the cheapest Business class options where available.
Prices reflect the lowest available in the next three months, though they are subject to change and availability.
Last-minute deals apply to the cheapest weekend trips available in the next seven days, with weekend trips being flights departing between Thursday and Saturday and returning on Sunday or Monday.
Flight duration shown is based on nonstop flights or those with the fewest stops available.
Prices reflect the lowest available in the next three months, though they are subject to change and availability.
Last-minute deals apply to the cheapest weekend trips available in the next seven days, with weekend trips being flights departing between Thursday and Saturday and returning on Sunday or Monday.
Flight duration shown is based on nonstop flights or those with the fewest stops available.
Useful information for finding cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco and booking your next trip
| Cheapest round-trip flights | $261 |
Southwest
Nonstop
5 hr
Thu, Aug 20 — Wed, Aug 26
|
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently $261 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest one-way flight | $127 |
Southwest
Nonstop
5 hr
Wed, Aug 19
|
The cheapest one-way flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently $127 | |
| Cheapest nonstop flights | $261 |
Southwest
Nonstop
5 hr
Thu, Aug 13 — Wed, Aug 19
|
The cheapest nonstop round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently $261 | |
| Last-minute weekend getaway | $433 |
Alaska
1 stop
11 hr
Sat, Jun 6 — Sun, Jun 7
|
The cheapest last-minute weekend getaway from Chicago to San Francisco is currently $433 | |
| Cheapest business class flights | $572 |
Frontier
1 stop
26 hr
Thu, Aug 20 — Wed, Aug 26
|
The cheapest business class round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently $572 | |
| Fastest flight | 4 hr 30 min | The fastest nonstop flight from Chicago to San Francisco takes 4 hr 30 min |
|---|---|---|
| Nonstop flights | Every day | There are direct flights on this route every day. |
When is the cheapest time to fly?
Typical prices for the least expensive flights for 1-week trips from Chicago to San Francisco per month. Insights are based on fares observed in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ.
The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to San Francisco is typically October. The most expensive month to fly is typically June.
| October Cheapest
|
Typical prices: $150–300 |
|---|---|
| June Most expensive
|
Typical prices: $235–340 |
Popular airlines from Chicago to San Francisco
Popularity is based on the number of weekly nonstop and connecting flights the airline operates. Connecting flights do not include interline routes.
Flight suggestions are based on an airline's cheapest round-trip fares from Chicago to San Francisco in the next 3 months. Prices include required taxes + fees for one adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.
Typical prices are based on fares observed in the past year for one-week round trips with the same origin, destination, and airline.
- UnitedNonstopfrom $261Typical price: $245–50083 weekly nonstop flightsORD - SFO Every day681 weekly connecting flightsORD - SFO Every day
- SouthwestNonstopfrom $261Typical price: $260–52014 weekly nonstop flightsMDW - SFO Every day2105 weekly connecting flightsMDW, ORD - SFO Every day
- AmericanNonstopfrom $261Typical price: $250–54042 weekly nonstop flightsORD - SFO Every day249 weekly connecting flightsORD - SFO Every day
- Deltafrom $281Typical price: $260–610437 weekly connecting flightsMDW, ORD - SFO Every day
- Frontierfrom $324Typical price: $210–45042 weekly connecting flightsMDW, ORD - SFO Every day
- Alaskafrom $324Typical price: $290–64035 weekly connecting flightsORD - SFO Every day
Popular airports near Chicago
Distance and driving time are relative to the city center. Airports are listed based on distance from Chicago center and popularity with travelers.
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)Chicago United States 26 min 16 mi
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)Chicago United States 25 min 9 mi
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)Milwaukee United States 1 hr 23 min 75 mi
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)Indianapolis United States 2 hr 58 min 165 mi
Popular airports near San Francisco
Distance and driving time are relative to the city center. Airports are listed based on distance from San Francisco center and popularity with travelers.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)San Francisco United States 19 min 11 mi
- Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK)Oakland United States 27 min 11 mi
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)Sacramento United States 1 hr 33 min 78 mi
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)San Jose United States 51 min 39 mi
Frequently asked questions about flying from Chicago to San Francisco
The cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco are usually in October. Typical ticket prices in October range from $150 to $300.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Southwest from $261. The cheapest one-way flight was with Southwest from $127.
Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
- The cheapest United flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 20 to Aug 26.
- The cheapest Southwest flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest American flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Delta flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $281, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Frontier flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $324, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Alaska flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $324, flying from Aug 15 to Aug 24.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco starts at $261 from Thu, Aug 20 to Wed, Aug 26. The cheapest one-way flight starts at $127 and departs on Wed, Aug 19.
4 hr 30 min is the shortest flight time from Chicago to San Francisco.
Apr–Dec is when most people visit San Francisco, with crowds peaking in summer. Although average temperatures are higher then, mornings and evenings often have damp, chilly fog. In summer, street fairs and cultural institutions offer free outdoor entertainment. Winter visitors will find the opera and ballet seasons in full swing. Major annual events include Chinese New Year (Feb), Bay to Breakers footrace (May), San Francisco Pride parade and festival (Jun), and San Francisco Fleet Week (Oct).
It's easy to use Google Flights to find the cheapest days to fly from Chicago to San Francisco.
Just click the Departure label near the top of the page to open the calendar. Choose a start date and a return date to see how the round-trip fare changes on those specific days.
Adjust the trip type to see one-way fares. The cheapest available flights are highlighted and easy to spot. Once you settle on dates, click the Search button to see flight options and book the deal.
You can also turn on price tracking to get alerts if the price changes for a route or flight.
Just click the Departure label near the top of the page to open the calendar. Choose a start date and a return date to see how the round-trip fare changes on those specific days.
Adjust the trip type to see one-way fares. The cheapest available flights are highlighted and easy to spot. Once you settle on dates, click the Search button to see flight options and book the deal.
You can also turn on price tracking to get alerts if the price changes for a route or flight.
What counts as the best airline for your flights from Chicago to San Francisco really depends on your individual needs. You may have a favorite carrier or a loyalty program you like, but price, convenience, and airports served also come into play. Flexibility and booking terms – Can you change flights if you want to stay longer or get a refund if you have to postpone your trip? – are also factors that help determine which airline is best to fly from Chicago to San Francisco.
In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 83 nonstop flights and 681 connecting flights per week. United flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
In terms of flights, Southwest is the most popular. Southwest offers 14 nonstop flights and 2,105 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
Other popular airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco are:
In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 83 nonstop flights and 681 connecting flights per week. United flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
In terms of flights, Southwest is the most popular. Southwest offers 14 nonstop flights and 2,105 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
Other popular airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco are:
- American offers 42 nonstop flights and 249 connecting flights per week. American flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
- Delta offers 437 connecting flights per week. Delta flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
- Frontier offers 42 connecting flights per week. Frontier flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
- Alaska offers 35 connecting flights per week. Alaska flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) .
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Southwest from $261. The cheapest one-way flight was with Southwest from $127.
Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
- The cheapest United flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 20 to Aug 26.
- The cheapest Southwest flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest American flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $261, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Delta flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $281, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Frontier flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $324, flying from Aug 13 to Aug 19.
- The cheapest Alaska flight from Chicago to San Francisco is $324, flying from Aug 15 to Aug 24.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco.
- There are 83 United direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
- There are 14 Southwest direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
- There are 42 American direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Chicago and San Francisco at price $433 is offered by Alaska from Sat, Jun 6 to Sun, Jun 7.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco.
- There are 83 United direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
- There are 14 Southwest direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
- There are 42 American direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
There are direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco on a daily basis.
The cheapest direct (nonstop) round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at $261 from Thu, Aug 13 to Wed, Aug 19 with Southwest.
It's easy to find nonstop flights with Google Flights! Once you've searched for flights from Chicago to San Francisco, just select the nonstop flights only option in the 'Stops’ filter in the search form and view all available direct flights and their prices.
The cheapest business class round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at $572 from Thu, Aug 20 to Wed, Aug 26 with Frontier.
The cheapest economy class round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at $261 from Thu, Aug 20 to Wed, Aug 26.
To book business class trips from Chicago to San Francisco, look for the default Economy selection at the top, and change it to your desired cabin class such as Premium Economy, Business Class, or First Class. You can then select your departure and arrival dates, consider available options, and book your business travel.
You can also adjust the trip type to view one-way fares.
You can also adjust the trip type to view one-way fares.
The best last-minute getaway deal for the next weekend between Chicago and San Francisco starts at $433 from Sat, Jun 6 to Sun, Jun 7 with Alaska.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Chicago and San Francisco at price $433 is offered by Alaska from Sat, Jun 6 to Sun, Jun 7.
To find last-minute flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco, start by entering the city names, select the desired departure and return dates, and hit the Search button to view flight options.
You can check for last-minute flights for the same day or adjust the trip type to see one-way fares.
You can check for last-minute flights for the same day or adjust the trip type to see one-way fares.
Search more flights
Popular trips from Chicago
These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.
Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.
-
Miami$108Jul 4 — Jul 11Nonstop 3 hr 20 min Frontier
-
Rome$616Oct 4 — Oct 131 stop 16 hr 20 min Scandinavian Airlines
-
Mexico City$250Oct 5 — Oct 131 stop 9 hr 14 min Viva
-
Paris$589Sep 24 — Sep 301 stop 12 hr 40 min Tap Air Portugal
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