Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Flights overview

Useful information for finding cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago and booking your next trip
Cheapest round-trip flights $200
Frontier 1 stop 10 hr Mon, Jun 1 — Tue, Jun 9
The cheapest round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago is currently $200
Cheapest one-way flight $95
Frontier 1 stop 8 hr Wed, May 27
The cheapest one-way flight from San Francisco to Chicago is currently $95
Cheapest nonstop flights $251
Southwest Nonstop 5 hr Mon, Jun 1 — Tue, Jun 9
The cheapest nonstop round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago is currently $251
Last-minute weekend getaway $260
Frontier 1 stop 11 hr Sat, Apr 18 — Mon, Apr 20
The cheapest last-minute weekend getaway from San Francisco to Chicago is currently $260
Cheapest business class flights $448
Frontier 1 stop 10 hr Mon, Jun 1 — Tue, Jun 9
The cheapest business class round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago is currently $448
Fastest flight 4 hr The fastest nonstop flight from San Francisco to Chicago takes 4 hr
Nonstop flights Every day There are direct flights on this route every day.

When is the cheapest time to fly?

The cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Chicago is typically October. The most expensive month to fly is typically March.
October
Cheapest
Typical prices: $150–290
March
Most expensive
Typical prices: $215–380

Popular airlines from San Francisco to Chicago

  • United
    Nonstop
    from $251
    Typical price: $215–490
    80 weekly nonstop flights
    SFO - ORD Every day
    585 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - ORD Every day
  • Southwest
    Nonstop
    from $251
    Typical price: $255–530
    14 weekly nonstop flights
    SFO - MDW Every day
    2025 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - MDW, ORD Every day
  • American
    Nonstop
    from $251
    Typical price: $245–550
    43 weekly nonstop flights
    SFO - ORD Every day
    176 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - ORD Every day
  • Delta
    from $271
    Typical price: $255–610
    507 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - MDW, ORD Every day
  • Frontier
    from $185
    Typical price: $195–460
    43 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - MDW, ORD Every day
  • Alaska
    from $245
    Typical price: $275–620
    26 weekly connecting flights
    SFO - ORD Every day

Popular airports near San Francisco

  • 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 34 min 78 mi
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
    San Jose United States 51 min 39 mi

Popular airports near Chicago

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
    Chicago United States 25 min 16 mi
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
    Chicago United States 24 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

Frequently asked questions about flying from San Francisco to Chicago

The cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago are usually in October. Typical ticket prices in October range from $150 to $290.
The cheapest round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from $200. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from $95.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest American flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $271, flying from May 28 to Jun 3.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $185, flying from May 4 to May 12.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $245, flying from May 4 to May 13.
The cheapest round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago starts at $200 from Mon, Jun 1 to Tue, Jun 9. The cheapest one-way flight starts at $95 and departs on Wed, May 27.
4 hr is the shortest flight time from San Francisco to Chicago.
Chicago's peak season is Jun–Aug. Popular events throughout year include St. Patrick's Day, when the river is tinted green (Mar 17); the Pride Parade (Jun); the Taste of Chicago culinary festival (Jul) and the Jazz Festival (Sep). During the holiday season (Nov–Dec), the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Christkindlmarket, a German Christmas market in Daley Plaza, draw crowds to the city.
It's easy to use Google Flights to find the cheapest days to fly from San Francisco to Chicago.
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 San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago.

In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 80 nonstop flights and 585 connecting flights per week. United flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .

In terms of flights, Southwest is the most popular. Southwest offers 14 nonstop flights and 2,025 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .

Other popular airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago are:
  • American offers 43 nonstop flights and 176 connecting flights per week. American flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
  • Delta offers 507 connecting flights per week. Delta flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
  • Frontier offers 43 connecting flights per week. Frontier flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
  • Alaska offers 26 connecting flights per week. Alaska flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
The number of connecting flights refers to distinct flights with at least one stop between San Francisco and Chicago.
The cheapest round-trip flight from San Francisco to Chicago recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from $200. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from $95.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest American flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $251, flying from Jun 1 to Jun 9.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $271, flying from May 28 to Jun 3.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $185, flying from May 4 to May 12.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from San Francisco to Chicago is $245, flying from May 4 to May 13.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago.
  • There are 80 United direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 14 Southwest direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 43 American direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
The cheapest last-minute deal between San Francisco and Chicago at price $260 is offered by Frontier from Sat, Apr 18 to Mon, Apr 20.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago.
  • There are 80 United direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 14 Southwest direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 43 American direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
There are direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago on a daily basis.
The cheapest direct (nonstop) round-trip flights between San Francisco and Chicago start at $251 from Mon, Jun 1 to Tue, Jun 9 with Southwest.
It's easy to find nonstop flights with Google Flights! Once you've searched for flights from San Francisco to Chicago, 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 San Francisco and Chicago start at $448 from Mon, Jun 1 to Tue, Jun 9 with Frontier.
The cheapest economy class round-trip flights between San Francisco and Chicago start at $200 from Mon, Jun 1 to Tue, Jun 9.
To book business class trips from San Francisco to Chicago, 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.
The best last-minute getaway deal for the next weekend between San Francisco and Chicago starts at $260 from Sat, Apr 18 to Mon, Apr 20 with Frontier.
The cheapest last-minute deal between San Francisco and Chicago at price $260 is offered by Frontier from Sat, Apr 18 to Mon, Apr 20.
To find last-minute flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago, 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.

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