CHI - SFO

$162 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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 San Francisco departing on 8/5. 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.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$299
Typical prices: $370-$526
Southwest
Tue 8/4Mon 8/10
MDW - SFO • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$302
Typical prices: $409-$590
Southwest
Thu 8/13Wed 8/19
MDW - SFO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
American Basic Economy is cheapest; Alaska Saver adds last boarding and no seat choice.
United Economy Plus adds legroom, while American Main Cabin Extra adds early boarding.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines, Southwest and United Airlines. Average duration is 4h 43m
Direct flights
Direct flights
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Top routes
Cheapest • 1% average savings
Most popular
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 79% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
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Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $209 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 15m (one-way)
Insights
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 47% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco (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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco

Tue, Aug 4 - Mon, Aug 10
Southwest Logo
8:50 am - 4:25 pm
MDW
-
SFO
9h 35m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
7:25 pm - 5:50 am
SFO
-
MDW
8h 25m
1 stop
$299Southwest
Tue, Jul 21 - Thu, Jul 30
Frontier Logo
7:15 am - 3:25 pm
ORD
-
SFO
10h 10m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
9:00 pm - 5:37 am
SFO
-
ORD
6h 37m
1 stop
$300Frontier
Sat, Aug 1 - Sat, Aug 8
Southwest Logo
7:40 pm - 12:35 am
MDW
-
SFO
6h 55m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
6:10 am - 8:15 pm
SFO
-
MDW
12h 05m
1 stop
$300Southwest
Thu, Aug 6 - Sat, Aug 8
Frontier Logo
6:05 am - 7:13 pm
MDW
-
SFO
15h 08m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
11:05 pm - 9:51 am
SFO
-
MDW
8h 46m
1 stop
$301Frontier
Thu, Oct 8 - Mon, Oct 12
Frontier Logo
6:05 am - 5:40 pm
ORD
-
SFO
13h 35m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 10:01 am
SFO
-
ORD
26h 01m
1 stop
$301Frontier
Thu, Aug 13 - Wed, Aug 19
Southwest Logo
9:10 pm - 11:45 pm
MDW
-
SFO
4h 35mnonstop
Southwest Logo
11:40 pm - 5:50 am
SFO
-
MDW
4h 10mnonstop
$302Southwest
Fri, Jul 24 - Mon, Jul 27
Frontier Logo
9:57 pm - 12:23 am
ORD
-
SFO
28h 26m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
9:39 pm - 8:52 pm
SFO
-
ORD
21h 13m
1 stop
$302Frontier
Tue, Aug 4 - Sat, Aug 8
Frontier Logo
12:11 pm - 7:18 pm
MDW
-
SFO
9h 07m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
11:05 pm - 9:51 am
SFO
-
MDW
8h 46m
1 stop
$303Frontier
Wed, Jul 29 - Tue, Aug 4
Frontier Logo
7:15 am - 3:25 pm
ORD
-
SFO
10h 10m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
10:23 pm - 5:37 am
SFO
-
ORD
29h 14m
2 stops
$303Frontier
Tue, Aug 4 - Fri, Aug 14
Frontier Logo
12:11 pm - 7:18 pm
MDW
-
SFO
9h 07m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
11:05 pm - 9:51 am
SFO
-
MDW
8h 46m
1 stop
$304Frontier
Booking Insights

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

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

How much is a round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco departing in August.

What is the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest return flight from Chicago to San Francisco costs $267 on the route between Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and San Francisco (SFO). Over the past month, flights between Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO) were, on average, 1% cheaper than other Chicago-San Francisco routes. This is also the most popular route.

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

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Chicago to San Francisco, look for departures on Thursdays and avoid leaving on a Sunday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from San Francisco, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly and Monday is the most expensive.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco, 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 Chicago to San Francisco is September, where tickets cost $345 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $534 and $473 respectively.

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

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $399 on average.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco, 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 Chicago to San Francisco, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 47% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 9 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Chicago to San Francisco

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and ORD

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$162
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 3% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 18% increase in price.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips 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.

FAQs for booking flights from Chicago to San Francisco

  • Can I fly from Chicago to San Francisco non-stop?

    Yes, you can. Flights from Chicago to San Francisco are quite popular and, as such, there are a great number of non-stop flights between the two cities every week. The flight is also not overly long, as it usually takes a little less than 5 hours.

  • How do I get from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport?

    To get to O’Hare International Airport from downtown Chicago you can use the Amtrak connections available (Blue Line) or the bus (there are a great number of lines serving the airport). Alternatively you can take one of the shuttle buses operated by many hotels in the area, or else just hail a cab.

  • Are there on-site hotels at Chicago Midway Airport?

    While there are no hotels located inside Chicago Midway Airport, there are a number of them located just outside, many of which include shuttle services to and from the airport in addition to comfortable rooms and a tasty breakfast spread. These include the Chicago Marriott Midway Hotel, the Courtyard Chicago Midway Airport Hotel, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Midway Airport Hotel.

  • What is there to do in O’Hare International Airport?

    If your flight to San Francisco is running late, take a chance to relax and stretch at the airport’s yoga room or work up a sweat at the Hilton Athletic Club, open even to non-guests for a small fee. You can also spend the time pampering yourself at the spa, getting a haircut at the barber shop, or enjoying some local art featured in the many displays scattered throughout the airport.

  • What is the best way to get out of San Francisco International Airport?

    For individuals connecting from SFO to various locations within the Bay Area, including downtown San Francisco, BART trains are the convenient means of transportation. From the airport, it takes around 30 minutes to get to Downtown San Francisco.

  • How can I catch up with the earliest flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

    Spend the night at Hampton Inn & Suites Rosemont Chicago O'Hare for increased convenience if you want to make the first flight out of Chicago to San Francisco. You can connect to the airport using the free airport shuttles from the hotel.

  • Which airlines should I book when flying from Chicago to San Francisco with kids?

    Extra legroom and spacious seats are some of the exciting onboard amenities available on American Airlines and United Airlines, which ensure that you and your child(ren) will be more comfortable for the entire flight. Additionally, American Airlines gives parents of young children priority boarding.

  • How convenient is it to land at San Francisco International Airport late at night?

    You can spend the rest of the night in one of the nap rooms at Terminals 2 or 3 of the airport if your flight from ORD or MDW lands at SFO late at night. You can also choose to connect to a hotel close by, such as the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront. It is easier for you to connect to the airport through the hotel's free 24-hour airport shuttle service.

  • Which nearby cities can I get to from San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    SFO serves a number of cities in Northern California in addition to acting as the international gateway to San Francisco. From SFO, you can travel to places like Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Palo Alto, among others. A more convenient way to get from SFO to these cities is by renting a car.

  • How can I access rental cars upon landing at San Francisco International Airport?

    A rental car center with several rental car companies, including Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Dollar, on Level 4, inside the airport. As a result, renting a car at SFO after landing is a simple process.

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

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco was $162 for a one-way ticket and $299 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Chicago and San Francisco?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Chicago to San Francisco. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

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

    Chicago has 2 major airports: Chicago Midway and Chicago O'Hare Intl. San Francisco is the only airport in San Francisco. You’ll usually find the cheapest deals if you fly from Chicago O'Hare Airport.

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

    American Airlines, and JetBlue offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Chicago to San Francisco flight route.

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

    The Boeing 757-300 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to San Francisco flight route.

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

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

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

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

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Chicago to San Francisco, Southwest or Alaska Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Chicago to San Francisco are Southwest and Alaska Airlines. With an average price for the route of $379 and an overall rating of 7.9, Southwest is the most popular choice. Alaska Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $314 and an overall rating of 7.9.

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

    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 San Francisco.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

    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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

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

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

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $217 or less one-way and $378 or less round-trip.
  • Flights from Chicago to San Francisco usually depart either from Chicago O’Hare International Airport or from Chicago Midway Airport. Although the former is larger and more popular than the latter, it is also furthest away from downtown Chicago, located as it is just 17.5 miles northwest of the city. Though less often used, Chicago Midway Airport is only 10.8 miles south of the city center.
  • If you are flying from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and you are traveling with children, head to Terminal 2, where you can find the children’s play area. Fun and colorful, Kids On The Fly is an aviation-themed playground that has been voted “Most Awesome Airport Play Area”.
  • If San Francisco is just one leg of your trip and you are worried about what to do on your stopover there, don’t! San Francisco International Airport is simply full of things to do: hit the shops for some retail therapy, enjoy the local cuisine at the dozens of cafés scattered throughout the airport, or learn something new at the Aviation Museum or at the various exhibits on art & culture, history, and science organized in the various terminals.
  • If your flight from Chicago to San Francisco has arrived late and you don’t want to travel into the city at night, why not sleep at the airport? Located inside the International Terminal, FreshenUp offers travelers a small number of basic yet comfortable ensuite rooms; alternatively, if you don’t find place there, there are a number of hotels located just minutes from the airport, many of them offering shuttle services to their guests.
  • Once you get to San Francisco Airport, to get downtown you can use the city’s rich transportation network, which includes a number of bus lines and Amtrak connections running between the airport and various important locations within the city multiple times a day.
  • Either Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the departure points for flights from Chicago to San Francisco. The advantage of leaving from ORD is that you have access to a large number of airlines and can book a ticket depending on your schedule at various times of the day. There are more daily flights from ORD than from MDW to San Francisco. However, leaving MDW allows you to take advantage of shorter queues at various security checkpoints.
  • Buses provide a convenient and affordable way of getting to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) from downtown Chicago. Blue Line Buses avail nonstop connections between the airport terminals from downtown. Taxis are the alternative means of transport, particularly suitable for those rushing against time.
  • Most flights from Chicago arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which serves as their primary destination. However, San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJE) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) also receive a sizable amount of flights. Having more transportation alternatives makes it simpler to get from SFO to the city center of San Francisco. There are fewer lines at the baggage claim areas for passengers arriving at OAK or SJE.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Chicago to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to San Francisco

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Chicago

Monday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines

American Airlines,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports