$88 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Salinas

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to Salinas departing on 8/19. 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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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Salinas (CHI-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Chicago to Salinas 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.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to Salinas

Sat, Aug 30 - Sat, Sep 6
American Airlines Logo
5:39 pm - 8:13 pmORD-SFO
4h 34mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
11:25 pm - 5:42 amSFO-ORD
4h 17mnonstop
$187American Airlines
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Sat, Aug 23 - Sun, Aug 31
Southwest Logo
8:15 am - 10:50 amMDW-SFO
4h 35mnonstop
Southwest Logo
9:25 am - 3:35 pmSFO-MDW
4h 10mnonstop
$188Southwest
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Wed, Aug 27 - Wed, Sep 3
United Airlines Logo
2:25 pm - 5:07 pmORD-SFO
4h 42mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:15 am - 11:46 amSFO-ORD
4h 31mnonstop
$197United Airlines
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Sun, Aug 24 - Sat, Aug 30
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 8:56 amORD-SFO
4h 41mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
11:59 pm - 6:15 amSFO-ORD
4h 16mnonstop
$198United Airlines
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Fri, Sep 19 - Tue, Sep 30
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
3:20 pm - 12:04 amORD-SFO
10h 44m1 stop
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
2:42 pm - 12:03 amSFO-ORD
7h 21m1 stop
$204Hawaiian Airlines
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Tue, Oct 7 - Wed, Oct 8
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:20 am - 2:01 pmORD-SFO
7h 41m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:26 am - 11:59 pmSFO-ORD
11h 33m1 stop
$220Alaska Airlines
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Wed, Sep 17 - Wed, Sep 24
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
10:00 am - 3:52 pmORD-SFO
7h 52m1 stop
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
11:30 am - 10:07 pmSFO-ORD
8h 37m1 stop
$222Hawaiian Airlines
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Fri, Jan 9 - Sat, Jan 10
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:45 am - 3:52 pmORD-SFO
10h 07m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:30 pm - 1:59 pmSFO-ORD
17h 29m1 stop
$226Alaska Airlines
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Sat, Aug 16 - Sat, Aug 23
Frontier Logo
1:39 pm - 7:39 pmORD-SFO
8h 00m1 stop
Frontier Logo
10:29 pm - 10:39 amSFO-ORD
10h 10m1 stop
$234Frontier
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Sat, Sep 6 - Tue, Sep 9
Frontier Logo
8:25 am - 7:45 amORD-SFO
25h 20m1 stop
Frontier Logo
7:10 am - 9:28 pmSFO-ORD
12h 18m1 stop
$235Frontier
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Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$88
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Chicago to Salinas

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Salinas based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

FAQs for booking flights from Chicago to Salinas

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

    When flying out of Chicago you’ll be using one of these airports: Chicago Midway or Chicago O'Hare Intl. Salinas does not have its own airport so you’ll be flying into nearby San Francisco airport, which is 76.3 mi away.

  • How long does a flight from Chicago to Salinas take?

    Direct flights cover the 1,855 miles separating Chicago and Salinas in about 4h 30m.

  • How many flights are there between Chicago and Salinas?

    111 direct flights run between Chicago and Salinas on a daily basis. On average, there are about 778 departures each week.

  • What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly between Chicago and Salinas?

    Consider leaving on a Saturday and avoid Tuesdays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Chicago, you’ll find the best rates on Sundays and the most expensive ones on Tuesdays.

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

    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 Chicago to Salinas.

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

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

    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 Salinas with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

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

    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 Salinas from Chicago up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • Which airlines provide the cheapest flights from Chicago to Salinas?

    In the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket between Chicago and Salinas found on KAYAK was with Southwest for $90. American Airlines offered a round-trip connection from $187 and Southwest from $188.

Top tips for finding cheap flights from Chicago to Salinas

  • There is no airport in Salinas. Instead, you’ll be flying into San Francisco Airport when flying between Chicago and Salinas.
  • The cheapest flight from Chicago to Salinas was found 83 days before departure, on average.
  • Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be November, December and January. The cheapest month to fly is September.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving Chicago to Salinas

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Chicago to Salinas? 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.
8.0
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 10000 reviews
7.8Comfort
8.5Crew
7.1Food
8.1Boarding
7.1Entertainment
Airline reviews

Flight attendant was rude when I advised her that the bathroom had no paper towels or tissue paper.

8.0 ExcellentRick, Jul 2025AUS - SAN
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Flight attendant was rude when I advised her that the bathroom had no paper towels or tissue paper.

Departing flight to San Diego was delayed. Return flight from SD to SBP was delayed. Not terrible but not ideal

I loved that the checking in process was seamlessly easy and user friendly. The crew was very nice and professional. Unfortunately, we were seated in the back of the plane across from the bathroom. There wasn’t much room for leg room and comfortability. Alongside, we had to listen to a baby crying up and down the aisle way for the entire plane ride. The turbulence of the plane landing was rocky. Overall, the experience with Alaska was just okay. We made it home alive so that’s always a positive.

would have been nice for flight to not be delayed by 2 hours so that we had to pay $80 to get home since BART had shut down. i thought a 10pm arrival would leave enough time to account for delays but i was wrong.

One of the best roundtrip flights I’ve ever been on. We needed assistance for my elderly mother and without fail, each and every Alaska team member was helpful, kind, and patient. Will fly Alaska again and again.

Delayed flight both ways. Then, on the return flight, we were stuck on the tarmac for at least 30+ minutes. Idk what happened, but this was a bad experience.

I liked Alaska better than other carriers that I have EVER used. Unfortunately, the plane from LAX to Guanacaste leg of my journey had some mechanical problems and had to return to LAX - causing my journey to be very long and added a day to my total trip. The Airline was very prompt in offering their apology and have given me credit to use for my next flight. I thought the terminal in LAX was too cold for comfort, especially if there is a long wait between flights.

Coffee or tea service would be nice for an evening flight, water or juice not good enough.

I am always uncomfortable about the boarding process. I think every airlines has their own procedures for boarding but all of their procedures are inconvenient because it takes too much time to board. If you board people from back seat to front, I think you can reduce the time to boarding.

Good leg room, no problem with overhead storage and the staff was super helpful.

Very smooth checking in our luggage with a super pleasant SW agent. I enjoyed a fun entertaining movie.

after landing, we stay 2 hours on the taxi way before reaching the gate The airline and the crew were good though

First time traveling on Southwest since bag fees were implemented. Usual good service. Just more expensive now.

I'm not a fan of Southwest's model. I don't like the herding style of boarding.

It was a perfect flight in all aspects! Both legs!

Boarding process, crew were good. But the seats were so uncomfortable that was all I could focus on. I literally had to sit forward so that all 3 of us could fit in row. I will try to avoid Southwest in the future for any flights over 60 minutes.

Great flight, 47 passengers on a 180 seat plane. Stewardess was pleasant and cheerful.

Great experience flying Southwest. The crew was really kind and helpful, and very friendly with our toddler.

My flight to Chicago left and landed early. My return flight left two minutes late and arrived 2 minutes late. My seat selections were ideal! There were no snacks going to Chicago and no snacks on the return trip. There are no charging outlets on board.

Plane late from DC to Austin 30 minutes. Crew made up much of the time enroute to San Diego.

It was delayed instead of departing at 9:20pm, we departed at 11pm… putting us in Columbus after 2am! It was awful. Had I known about the delay, I could have spent some time in the United Lounge… I was starving because I started my journey in Budapest… so I was exhausted and hungry. Plus I had to make new arrangements to be picked up at the airport in Columbus, instead of midnight it was 2:30 am after getting luggage and out of airport. Not feasible. I would have just stayed in Chicago for the night and gotten a morning flight.

It was great, I’m very grateful for the pilots and crew flight attendants for everything.

Evidently, my seat had the only broken TV. I couldn’t plug it in, get it to come on, or watch anything, and of course, no one could fix it while we were on the plane. The service was good and the boarding was quick

I was charged for my daughters bag when I am supposed to receive two free checked bags with my United Explorer card.

The schedule to Moline changed 5 times. The gate changed 6 times. That is a pathetic way to run an airline. No wonder that no one in our company flies on United Express to or from Moline. Changes happen most of the time. I learned my lesson on this trip…never again!

Flight was great. Efficient boarding. Short flight. Early arrival. Friendly flight crew. The entertainment system did not work well. Could not access it until the aircraft reached 10K feet or more. Lots of glitches.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Smooth boarding process. Early departure, smooth flight, early arrival. The entertainment package has very good recent movie options. The flight crew were friendly and professional.

My flight was scheduled for about 6:05 departure. There were 11 gate changes from 4-7pm and the flight was 3 hours delayed due to operational issues. The plane taxied around the airport for about half an hour before stopping to be de-iced. It would have been nice if we were alerted of the plan to de-ice prior to the 30 minute drive around the airport. The flight attendant was friendly, which was the only redeeming thing about this flight. As a former flight attendant for United, I was extremely disappointed.

Delays took 2hours and thirty minutes making me miss my connecting flight and make me sit in the Chicago airport for 9 hours

3 hour weather delay followed by 1 hour (and counting) maintenance delay. UGH!

After we'd boarded , they canceled the flight. The crew didn't even know , we just all received text messages. Then after they deplaned us , AA was just like "too bad, go F your self, we sure ain't gonna help you"

After a two hour delay, my flight was CANCELLED! No pilot available. Such BS.

Amazing food, great staff, with one noticable detail missing ...but no seat entertainment in any of aircraft ...I am not a fan

I wish American Airlines would change the airline industry by loading the plane back to front instead of front to back. Planes would board so much more smoothly and quickly.

I have long legs, my foot was out in the aisle and when a flight attendant came walking by and I didn't notice, instead of saying "excuse me" or anything like that, she kicked my foot. Extremely rude

Excellent! The gate agents were kind enough to rebook me on an earlier flight saving me from a 6 hour layover. Even my luggage made it despite the fact that the connection was technically too narrow. The flight itself was very comfortable, roomy, and clean. Plenty of space for my carryon items with plugs to charge my phone. After a long international flight of 14 hours, this was an excellent way to end my travels!

Great experience. Flight boarded easily. Departed early. Smooth flight. Great arrival in DC--almost no taxing! Almost direct to gate from runway. Crew was terrific. Same cookies and beverages in main cabin. I did not use the entertainment system on this flight.

Most of the delay was due to weather which is not what was at issue here. One delay was due to a missing flashlight and in the end the flashlight was actually found on the plane. The entertainment system is very limited. Live TV options offer only a few channels that are not very appealing. Boarding and deplaning are always difficult. It just takes too much time to get on and off the plane. On the plus side, I missed my connecting flight, but was easily able to book a later flight from the app while enroute.

You were more on time than United. I'm so over united delays.

Boarding in Orlando was not good. Giant mob at the gate, should have been lines.

Decent clean onboard experience. Okay discount airline experience. Unfortunately, any customer service interactions are difficult and unhelpful. There is no service. Also, a premium seat only gets you premium boarding if you line up first. Once they start general boarding you must go to the back of the line. Not very premium

baggage clamed had to wait over a hour and half for all people on my flight it was terrible

The ticketing agents were rude but then we had a great gate agent very nice we had to ride a buss out to where the plane was parked but it was in some back corner of the airport when we got to the plane the captain who was great btw was cleaning the plane because the same rude ticketing agent told them they we not contracted to vacuum the plane. The ride to las Vegas was fine We had a connecting flight to Dallas. The flight was fine but when we arrived in Dallas everyone who flew on any frontier airlines the picked up bags from baggage claim D15 had to wait over a hour for their bags to start we arrived at 11:30pm ish to the gate we didn't leave the baggage clamed till 12:50 am very not happy and i used to fly frontier 4 times a week for work in Denver i will not be using them again

I was 2 hr arrive in the airport and 45 min in the line . After take to my turn . The agent tell me I’m later . I can not board . So my vacation was going to the floor . Just for their bad customer service agent in the airline

Frontier Airlines was AWFUL. I was an hour early for my flight and the lady refused to check me in. I had to purchase a whole new ticket with a different airline.

My flight was canceled I was promised a reginf still not received.

Late, terrible communication, horrible planning of passenger seating until the literal last minute. One of the worst flying experiences of my life. Y'all suck

Both legs of the flight were changed. The day of the flight and length of the trip.

The crew was mostly okay. The flight attendant who answered our questions was curt and unhelpful unfortunately. He seemed upset and I understand having off days.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to Salinas

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