How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from California 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 California to Chicago.

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

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Chicago from California 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 California to Chicago?

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

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from California 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 California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

$80 CHEAP FLIGHTS from California to Chicago

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Cheap Flights from California to Chicago

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Recent round-trip flight deals from California to Chicago

Thu, Dec 17 - Mon, Jan 4

6:00 am - 12:26 amLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

16h 26m1 stop Denver Intl

7:35 am - 7:19 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

25h 44m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$215Frontier

Fri, Feb 12 - Fri, Feb 19

12:47 am - 7:05 amLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 18mnonstop

5:40 am - 8:24 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

4h 44mnonstop

$216Frontier

Fri, Dec 4 - Tue, Dec 8

4:25 pm - 12:53 amLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

6h 28m1 stop Denver Intl

6:00 am - 1:50 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

9h 50m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl

$232Multiple Airlines

Wed, Dec 2 - Mon, Dec 7

1:35 pm - 11:59 pmLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

8h 24m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl

6:21 am - 11:55 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

7h 34m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$232Multiple Airlines

Wed, Jan 13 - Sat, Jan 23

11:55 pm - 5:55 amLAX Los Angeles-MDW Chicago Midway

4h 00mnonstop

6:20 pm - 8:45 pmMDW Chicago Midway-LAX Los Angeles

4h 25mnonstop

$237Southwest

Sat, Jan 23 - Wed, Jan 27

11:55 pm - 5:55 amLAX Los Angeles-MDW Chicago Midway

4h 00mnonstop

10:15 am - 12:45 pmMDW Chicago Midway-LAX Los Angeles

4h 30mnonstop

$237Southwest

Tue, Dec 29 - Sat, Jan 16

6:00 am - 12:14 pmLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 14mnonstop

3:30 pm - 6:13 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

4h 43mnonstop

$237American Airlines

Tue, Jan 5 - Sat, Jan 9

6:17 pm - 12:26 amLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 09mnonstop

10:30 am - 1:35 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

5h 05mnonstop

$237American Airlines

Sat, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 12

3:00 pm - 9:01 pmLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 01mnonstop

4:30 pm - 7:03 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

4h 33mnonstop

$237Delta

Wed, Dec 2 - Tue, Dec 8

7:30 am - 1:33 pmLAX Los Angeles-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 03mnonstop

7:45 am - 10:25 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-LAX Los Angeles

4h 40mnonstop

$237Delta

Recent last minute flight deals from California to Chicago

Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Jan 9

6:25 am - 12:21 amSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

15h 56m1 stop Denver Intl

7:30 am - 12:34 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

7h 04m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$263Frontier

Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Jan 5

6:25 am - 12:21 amSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

15h 56m1 stop Denver Intl

7:30 am - 12:34 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

7h 04m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$263Frontier

Sat, Nov 7 - Wed, Nov 11

6:25 am - 12:21 amSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

15h 56m1 stop Denver Intl

7:20 am - 10:03 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 43mnonstop

$283Multiple Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Jan 9

7:02 am - 1:17 pmSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 15mnonstop

2:13 pm - 4:51 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 38mnonstop

$297Alaska Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Jan 5

12:41 pm - 6:59 pmSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 18mnonstop

7:40 am - 10:19 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 39mnonstop

$297Alaska Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Nov 14

7:00 am - 1:04 pmONT Ontario-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 04mnonstop

4:15 pm - 6:47 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-ONT Ontario

4h 32mnonstop

$317United Airlines

Sun, Nov 8 - Thu, Nov 19

6:25 am - 12:21 amSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

15h 56m1 stop Denver Intl

2:15 pm - 4:56 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 41mnonstop

$323Multiple Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Nov 10

7:00 am - 1:04 pmONT Ontario-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 04mnonstop

8:55 am - 3:33 pmORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-ONT Ontario

8h 38m1 stop San Francisco

$327United Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Wed, Nov 11

11:50 am - 6:13 pmSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 23mnonstop

8:20 am - 10:56 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 36mnonstop

$327American Airlines

Sun, Nov 8 - Thu, Nov 19

7:41 am - 2:00 pmSAN San Diego-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl

4h 19mnonstop

8:10 am - 10:59 amORD Chicago O'Hare Intl-SAN San Diego

4h 49mnonstop

$327American Airlines

Useful Info

Low season	January
High season	June
Cheapest flight	$80

Best time to beat the crowds with an average 1% drop in price.

Most popular time to fly with an average 10% increase in price.

Flight from John Wayne (Santa Ana) to Chicago O'Hare Airport

CupcakeFlew with Alaska Airlines-Apr 2026

Please bring a water bottle for hydration during the flight.

StephenFlew with United Airlines-Jan 2026

If you're trying to make a connecting flight make sure you allow PLENTY of time between flights or be prepared to miss the next flight. Make sure to use the restroom at the last possible moment before landing because you could be sitting on the taxiway for 5 more minutes... 5 more minutes... 5 more minutes... until it's been nearly 2 hours. Don't trust the airline provided ETA provided by apps they don't update it until long after you're delayed. If someone is showing up to give you a ride, make sure they have hours to wait for you.

RodFlew with United Airlines-Sep 2024

Yes! Don’t reserve a flight with less than 1 1/2 hour connection time or you have a good possibility of missing your connection.

FrancisFlew with United Airlines-Sep 2024

Check the weather, or bring a. Raincoat! Being from sunny California, I forget it isn’t always sunshine in other states!

GeraldFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024

Book a flight as early in the day as possible to avoid incoming flight delays.

KimFlew with American Airlines-Nov 2024

Bring extra foods and buy extra drinks bring your meds

ShirleyFlew with United Airlines-May 2024

Check-in using the United AirLines app to access your boarding pass. Arrive at least two hours early at LAX airport.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from California 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 California to Chicago.
How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from California to Chicago?
KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Chicago from California 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 California to Chicago?
Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Chicago with an airline and back to California with another airline.
What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from California 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 California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Merrillville

Hammond

Saint Joseph

Portage

Lansing

Valparaiso

Munster

Chesterton

Schererville

Porter

Monticello

Saint John

Griffith

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$80 Find Cheap Flights from California to Chicago - Compare and Save

Cheap Flights from California to Chicago

Recent round-trip flight deals from California to Chicago

Recent one-way flight deals from California to Chicago

Recent last minute flight deals from California to Chicago

Recent direct flight deals from California to Chicago

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High season

Cheapest flight

Flights from California to Chicago: the best tips from KAYAK users

FAQs for booking flights from California to Chicago

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

More options for your flight to Chicago

Complete your trip to Chicago with a hotel stay or car rental

Cabin class types available on flights to California

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Flights from domestic origins to Chicago

Choose which airport to fly into in Chicago

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