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. Visit our flight page for the latest deals!>/a>

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. Visit our flight page for the latest deals!>/a>

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. Visit our flight page for the latest deals!>/a>

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. Visit our flight page for the latest deals!>/a>

$83 CHEAP FLIGHTS from California to Chicago

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Chicago

...and more

Travelers love KAYAK

41,299,237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

Save 23% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track pricesNot ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Bundle and saveSave money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Flight Deals

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, May 7 - Mon, May 11

7:36 pm - 5:25 am

BUR

ORD

7h 49m

1 stop

10:07 pm - 8:08 am

ORD

BUR

12h 01m

1 stop

$144Spirit Airlines

Tue, Apr 28 - Sat, May 2

2:12 pm - 6:08 am

SAN

ORD

13h 56m

1 stop

8:55 am - 11:06 pm

ORD

SAN

16h 11m

2 stops

$171Frontier

Sat, Apr 25 - Sat, May 2

11:30 am - 11:25 pm

SAN

ORD

9h 55m

2 stops

3:05 pm - 11:25 pm

ORD

SAN

10h 20m

2 stops

$177Southwest

Thu, Apr 23 - Mon, Apr 27

10:53 pm - 5:00 pm

LAX

ORD

16h 07m

1 stop

5:15 am - 7:35 am

ORD

LAX

4h 20mnonstop

$178Multiple Airlines

Mon, Apr 13 - Thu, Apr 16

11:25 pm - 5:39 am

LAX

ORD

4h 14mnonstop

5:15 am - 7:35 am

ORD

LAX

4h 20mnonstop

$181Multiple Airlines

Sat, Apr 18 - Sat, Apr 25

11:25 pm - 5:40 am

SFO

MDW

4h 15mnonstop

6:10 pm - 8:45 pm

MDW

SFO

4h 35mnonstop

$245Southwest

Thu, Apr 23 - Tue, Apr 28

7:15 am - 7:03 pm

SFO

ORD

9h 48m

1 stop

3:52 pm - 11:01 pm

ORD

SFO

9h 09m

1 stop

$245Alaska Airlines

Mon, Apr 6 - Mon, Apr 13

5:38 pm - 2:21 pm

SMF

ORD

18h 43m

1 stop

7:59 pm - 9:16 am

ORD

SMF

15h 17m

1 stop

$272Alaska Airlines

Fri, Jun 12 - Tue, Jun 30

11:00 pm - 7:26 am

SMF

ORD

6h 26m

1 stop

1:35 pm - 9:56 pm

ORD

SMF

10h 21m

1 stop

$278Delta

Mon, Jun 8 - Mon, Jun 15

11:00 pm - 7:26 am

SMF

ORD

6h 26m

1 stop

1:35 pm - 9:56 pm

ORD

SMF

10h 21m

1 stop

$279Delta

Useful Info

Low season	January
High season	July
Cheapest flight	$83

Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 11% increase in price.

Most popular time to fly and prices are also 4% lower on average.

Flight from Ontario to Chicago O'Hare Airport

StephenFlew with United Airlines

SMF

ORD

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

SAN

ORD

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

LAX

ORD

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

SFO

ORD

Oct 2024

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

KimFlew with American Airlines

SNA

ORD

Nov 2024

Bring extra foods and buy extra drinks bring your meds

ShirleyFlew with United Airlines

LAX

ORD

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

Saint Joseph

Hammond

Portage

Lansing

Valparaiso

Chesterton

Schererville

Munster

Porter

Monticello

Griffith

Saint John

Everything you need to know for your flight to Chicago

Cabin class

Complete your trip

Direct Flights

Flights to other cities

Origins

Other airports

Return flight deals

Cabin class types available on flights to California

First Class flights to Chicagofrom $393

Business Class flights to Chicagofrom $778

Premium Economy Class flights to Chicagofrom $643

Economy Class flights to Chicagofrom $161

$83 Find Cheap Flights from California to Chicago

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Chicago

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

Good to know

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

FAQs for booking flights from California to Chicago

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.

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Everything you need to know for your flight to Chicago

Cabin class types available on flights to California

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

Find direct flights for Chicago

Flights to other popular destinations

Flights from domestic origins to Chicago

Choose which airport to fly into in Chicago

Find deals for your return flight