SFO - CHI

₹ 7,686 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago departing on 24/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Chicago

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to Chicago, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to Chicago, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from San Francisco to Chicago (SFO-CHI)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago

KAYAK's recommended return flight deals from the most popular airlines that fly from San Francisco to Chicago.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
Frontier Logo
20:45 - 08:22SFO-ORD
9h 37m1 stop
Frontier Logo
06:00 - 17:19ORD-SFO
13h 19m1 stop
₹ 15,287Frontier
Find Deal
Sat, 24 May - Sat, 31 May
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
12:33 - 18:59SFO-ORD
4h 26mdirect
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
19:59 - 22:49ORD-SFO
4h 50mdirect
₹ 16,056Hawaiian Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, 20 May - Thu, 29 May
Frontier Logo
23:50 - 16:41SFO-ORD
14h 51m1 stop
Frontier Logo
06:00 - 17:19ORD-SFO
13h 19m1 stop
₹ 16,141Frontier
Find Deal
Mon, 19 May - Sat, 31 May
Alaska Airlines Logo
12:33 - 18:59SFO-ORD
4h 26mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
19:59 - 22:49ORD-SFO
4h 50mdirect
₹ 16,825Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, 3 Jun - Sat, 7 Jun
Alaska Airlines Logo
12:33 - 18:59SFO-ORD
4h 26mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
19:59 - 22:49ORD-SFO
4h 50mdirect
₹ 16,910Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, 21 May - Fri, 30 May
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 16:45SFO-ORD
8h 45m1 stop
Southwest Logo
18:55 - 23:30ORD-SFO
6h 35m1 stop
₹ 18,447Southwest
Find Deal
Wed, 4 Jun - Wed, 11 Jun
Southwest Logo
21:00 - 11:50SFO-ORD
12h 50m1 stop
Southwest Logo
16:00 - 23:10ORD-SFO
9h 10m1 stop
₹ 21,522Southwest
Find Deal
Tue, 10 Jun - Sat, 14 Jun
United Airlines Logo
08:35 - 14:55SFO-ORD
4h 20mdirect
United Airlines Logo
06:30 - 09:09ORD-SFO
4h 39mdirect
₹ 21,778United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, 17 May - Mon, 26 May
United Airlines Logo
18:40 - 00:59SFO-ORD
4h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
06:48 - 09:27ORD-SFO
4h 39mdirect
₹ 22,803United Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, 6 Jun - Sun, 15 Jun
American Airlines Logo
23:49 - 06:07SFO-ORD
4h 18mdirect
American Airlines Logo
10:34 - 13:19ORD-SFO
4h 45mdirect
₹ 28,354American Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, 12 May - Thu, 15 May

KAYAK's insights & trends for San Francisco to Chicago flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from San Francisco to Chicago to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago.
Our data shows that the cheapest route for a return flight from San Francisco to Chicago cost ₹ 15,232 and was between San Francisco (SFO) and Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD). On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is ₹ 15,232.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Chicago?

The average price of all round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
If you are looking for a flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago, look for departures on Mondays and avoid leaving on a Saturday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Chicago, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly and Monday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Chicago?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco to Chicago is February, where tickets cost ₹ 24,426 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is ₹ 37,236 and ₹ 30,575 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from San Francisco to Chicago?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
No, with an average price for the route of ₹ 39,261, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chicago, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from San Francisco to Chicago, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 12 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

High season

May

Cheapest flight

₹ 7,686
Best time to beat the crowds (10% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (1% more expensive on average)
Flight from San Francisco to Chicago

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Chicago based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from San Francisco to Chicago: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from San Francisco to Chicago 
DinaFlew with United AirlinesSFO-ORDDec 2024
Choose an airline that will accommodate your needs
GeraldFlew with Alaska AirlinesSFO-ORDOct 2024
Book a flight as early in the day as possible to avoid incoming flight delays.
DonFlew with American AirlinesSFO-ORDJun 2024
United offers the best service from SFO to ORD. Great capacity and several redundant flights in the event of a cancellation or delay.

FAQs for booking flights from San Francisco to Chicago

  • Should I fly into Chicago O’Hare or Chicago Midway Airport?

    O’Hare Airport is located within Chicago, Illinois, 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop. The smaller Midway International Airport is located 10 miles southwest of the center. Both airports offer easy public transport connections, so you can’t go wrong with either one.

  • What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to downtown Chicago?

    The “L” train is an inexpensive way to get downtown from the airport. The O’Hare train station is situated on the lower level concourse of Chicago O’Hare Airport, with direct connections from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The CTA Blue Line trains from Chicago O’Hare run 24/7, with a travel time of 40-45 minutes. If you arrive at Midway Airport, the Midway train station is a short walk east of the airport. Orange Line train services run from early in the morning until 1 am. It takes 20-25 minutes to travel by train to the downtown loop.

  • How do I get around Chicago O’Hare Airport?

    Getting around Chicago O’Hare Airport is easy using the Airport Transit System (ATS), which operates 24 hours a day along a 2.5-mile-long track. This service connects all four terminals, various parking facilities, the Kiss ‘N’ Fly drop off point, and the PACE bus stop. The ATS service is free and takes nine minutes to complete a round trip.

  • What is the closest hotel to Chicago O’Hare?

    The Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel is only a short walk from the airport’s domestic terminals. Amenities include a fitness center, restaurants, conference rooms, and a barber shop. If you need to freshen up after your flight, travelers can use the showers at the hotel’s health club for a small cost.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago was ₹ 90 for a one-way ticket and ₹ 179 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from San Francisco to Chicago?

    On your way to Chicago, you’ll fly out from San Francisco. You’ll be landing at Chicago O'Hare Intl.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to Chicago?

    All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to Chicago flight route: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Iberia, Hawaiian Airlines, and Delta.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to Chicago?

    The Airbus A321neo is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Francisco to Chicago flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between San Francisco and Chicago, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago?

    There are direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to Chicago.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Chicago from San Francisco is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Chicago with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Chicago from San Francisco up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to Chicago

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for ₹ 17,405 or less one-way and ₹ 20,003 or less round-trip.
  • Flights from San Francisco to Chicago usually depart from San Francisco International Airport. If you’re traveling with children, San Francisco International Airport has a number of interactive play areas to keep kids busy. Additionally, the video arts room showcases contemporary works from local filmmakers and many restaurants have special menus for children.
  • American Airlines and United Airlines offer regular, direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare. Non-stop flights take less than four hours to arrive and the return trip takes around five hours.
  • The San Francisco International Airport incorporates a wide selection of art and exhibitions to provide a rich cultural and educational experience for travelers. While you’re waiting for your flight, you can visit more than twenty-five galleries throughout the terminals that reflect the history and cultural life of San Francisco. Travelers can also visit the Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, which house a permanent collection with a focus on local aviation history.
  • Want to relax before your flight from San Francisco to Chicago? Treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or massage at one of four XpresSpa outlets at San Francisco International Airport. There are also two dedicated spaces to practice yoga if you want to stretch out before getting on the plane.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco International Airport, O’Hare International Airport, and Midway International Airport. Charging stations and power outlets can be found throughout the terminals and baggage claim areas.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago?

Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to Chicago, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to Chicago

Monday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +2 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top airline flying from San Francisco to Chicago

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco to Chicago? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.2
American AirlinesOverall score based on 10000 reviews
8.0Crew
7.5Boarding
7.2Comfort
6.5Food
6.9Entertainment
Airline reviews

British Airways staff are very polite and willing to help.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Apr 2025SFO - LHR
Read more American Airlines reviews

British Airways staff are very polite and willing to help.

To start, I’d like to say that every American Airline personnel I interacted with on the ground, especially flight crew, was very friendly and did their best to help me out. Despite this, however, my experience with the airline was an entire mess. The 7:19 PM flight was heavily delayed due to weather, and pushed to 10:30 AM the next morning. Because of this, I had to spend the night inside of the airport. At some point later in the night, I got an email saying that the flight had been canceled. I called the support number, and the representative on the other line told me that the flight was still on and that I didn’t need to rebook. The next morning, no one came to the gate to open the door for the crew until almost 11 AM. By this time the flight crew had been waiting for over an hour, and they had called management to get someone to open the door for them multiple times. Around 11:30, the gate screen had changed to a different flight. I ended up buying a last minute ticket with Southwest airline just to get to Chicago, because the next flight with American wasn’t until 7:19 pm that day. Now, earlier that morning my suitcase had been sent ahead of me to ORD. I went to baggage claim to ask them if I could have my suitcase forwarded to where I was staying. The representative at SDF baggage claim said they could and put the claim in for me. As I was going back through TSA, I got an email that the airline had found my suitcase, but the next step was to send it BACK to SDF. I called the airline support number again, and I made it clear that my suitcase needed to stay in Chicago and to not come back to SDF. The representative told me that they would hold my suitcase at ORD and that it wasn’t going to be forwarded anywhere. Once I got there, I found that they had loaded my suitcase onto a plane to send it back to SDF. Thankfully, I had gotten to the baggage claim counter in time for them to put in a request to bring my suitcase back up. My refund with the airline is processing already, but because of this entire experience and miscommunication at every turn of the way, I will not book with American Airlines in the future.

The plane was late and then sat on the runway for almost 45 minutes before taking off.

We kept being told that the flight was full and that all overhead compartments were full and therefore had to check in our hand luggage. We were some of the last people to board and noticed that there was still sufficient space in the overhead compartments. We were obliged to check in hand luggage when there was space and so had to wait at luggage retrieval which took a while to then noticed damage to our luggage - not a great experience!

Crew professional. Easy bag drop off. On time. Good entertainment.

Everything was great. Boarding, early departure, early arrival, and deplaning were smooth. Smooth flight.

Per usual, flight status, staff courtesy and professionalism were excellent

The only thing is if Wi-Fi is available after you land and taxi to the gate. It takes forever to get to the gate, and having the Wi-Fi continue would be great to bide the time at least 5 minutes before you arrive at the entrance. That is my only comment; otherwise, everything was good.

Amazingly comfy flight - I had upgraded for a reasonable price and it was worth it. The food also was good.

Had to wait on pilot and crew to depart and had to wait to arrive at the gate because they only had 2 crews working. Delays, delays....Planes just keep getting smaller and tighter and they nickle and dime for everything. When will an airline actually wake up and make flying more enjoyable?

Everything you need to know for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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