ORD - SBA

$80 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara

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 Santa Barbara departing on 1/28. 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

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

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to Santa Barbara, 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 Chicago to Santa Barbara, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$175
Overall average: $441
American Airlines
Tue 1/6Sat 1/10
ORD - SBA • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$269
United Airlines
Tue 3/31Sat 4/4
ORD - SBA • Non-stop
Top airlines
Alaska Airlines
Cheapest • from $249 (round-trip)
Southwest
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to travel
December
Cheapest • 14% price drop
April
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Santa Barbara!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara (ORD-SBA)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara

Tue, Jan 6 - Sat, Jan 10
American Airlines Logo
5:00 am - 11:46 am
ORD
-
SBA
8h 46m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:26 pm - 9:07 pm
SBA
-
ORD
6h 41m1 stop
$175American Airlines
Tue, Jan 6 - Sat, Jan 10
American Airlines Logo
5:00 am - 11:46 am
ORD
-
SBA
8h 46m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:26 pm - 10:18 pm
SBA
-
ORD
7h 52m2 stops
$180American Airlines
Sat, Jan 31 - Tue, Feb 3
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 1:53 pm
ORD
-
SBA
7h 53m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:45 pm - 5:10 pm
SBA
-
ORD
24h 25m1 stop
$249Alaska Airlines
Thu, Jan 1 - Tue, Jan 6
Delta Logo
7:25 am - 12:05 pm
ORD
-
SBA
6h 40m1 stop
Delta Logo
5:40 am - 1:38 pm
SBA
-
ORD
5h 58m1 stop
$263Delta
Tue, Mar 31 - Sat, Apr 4
United Airlines Logo
8:45 am - 11:33 am
ORD
-
SBA
4h 48mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
12:15 pm - 6:35 pm
SBA
-
ORD
4h 20mnonstop
$269United Airlines
Tue, Jan 6 - Sat, Jan 10
American Airlines Logo
5:05 am - 11:46 am
ORD
-
SBA
8h 41m2 stops
American Airlines Logo
12:26 pm - 10:18 pm
SBA
-
ORD
7h 52m2 stops
$275American Airlines
Mon, Mar 2 - Sat, Mar 7
Alaska Airlines Logo
5:29 pm - 7:51 pm
ORD
-
SBA
28h 22m2 stops
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:38 pm - 1:05 pm
SBA
-
ORD
20h 27m1 stop
$279Alaska Airlines
Mon, Mar 2 - Thu, Mar 5
Delta Logo
7:40 am - 4:19 pm
ORD
-
SBA
10h 39m2 stops
Delta Logo
12:36 pm - 9:52 pm
SBA
-
ORD
7h 16m1 stop
$280Delta
Mon, Mar 2 - Thu, Mar 5
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:54 pm - 1:47 pm
ORD
-
SBA
23h 53m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:38 pm - 12:01 pm
SBA
-
ORD
19h 23m1 stop
$285Alaska Airlines
Tue, Mar 31 - Mon, Apr 6
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:00 am - 6:18 pm
ORD
-
SBA
10h 18m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:15 pm - 5:00 am
SBA
-
ORD
7h 45m1 stop
$289Alaska Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to Santa Barbara flights

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

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to Santa Barbara on a Monday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Tuesday is the most expensive day to fly from Chicago to Santa Barbara. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Saturday and avoiding Sundays for the best deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara, 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 O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara is December, where tickets cost $402 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and April, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $569 and $532 respectively.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$80
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 6% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 13% increase in price.
Flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara

When to book flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Santa Barbara 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 Chicago to Santa Barbara flights

  • What is the cheapest flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara was $80 for a one-way ticket and $175 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Chicago and Santa Barbara?

    Even though you are not required to have a passport, keep in mind that an official ID is needed to board the airplane.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to Santa Barbara flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

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

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara, Southwest or United Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara are Southwest and United Airlines. With an average price for the route of $539 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. United Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $502 and an overall rating of 7.4.

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

    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 Santa Barbara.

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

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

    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 Santa Barbara with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline. Booking your flights between Chicago and SBA can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

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

    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 Santa Barbara 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 O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $269 or less round-trip.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines serving from Chicago to Santa Barbara

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara. 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 Chicago to Santa Barbara? 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
SouthwestOverall score based on 4251 reviews
7.0Food
8.6Crew
7.5Entertainment
8.0Comfort
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

10.0 ExcellentGordon, Nov 2025
SAN - OAK
Read more Southwest reviews

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

Plane crashed into a bus or some other vehicle on the ground while pulling out of the gate. No injuries, but wing tip was damaged and returned to gate for “maintenance issues” and we departed 5 hours later because the plane went out of service and new plane was flown in from a nearby airport, Midway.

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

All was good. I just had a hard time getting connected to the WiFi/internet during the flight

Delays delays delays. Late taking off, late landing, wait for a gate, etc.

Connecting flight is on time and boarding was a breeze!

Better and more food and drinks. Put msnbc and free speech tv on the news channel selection list.

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.

After a delay at the gate, C3, at Ohare on Sunday, I left my Blk ski coat on the bench at the gate, lost! Please review my lob claim, thx.

Very thoughtful flight attendant offered me water immediately since I had run to make my connection.

Always wish for more healthy, gluten free options. We have to bring our own.

Having a long layover, I was very appreciative of the ability to stand by for an earlier flight. Other airlines like Delta have refused this to me in the past, just to be mean (because my ticket class wasn't high enough). United went out of their way to help me get to my destination early, which I really appreciated given that it was the third leg of a 24+ hour journey for me.

Other than a way way too cold cabinets for the entire flight, all was great

One bag is incorrect and not acceptable for an international flight. The food was not just good. I won't fly with them again.

Excellent flight. Smooth, efficient boarding. Quick flight. Arrived early at STL.

I will never book a flight through Cheap fare. They booked me from Portland Main . And would not give me a refund, so I bought 2 tickets one for 299. From Portland Main to ORD. Then I had to buy a ticket from Oregon PDX to ORD that was another 440. So Just so you know they even told me it was there fault but no refund. Bad bussniess. I did inform United but they said they couldn't help me due to the fact I booked through Cheap Tickets. Never again. And I'm spreding the word. I let everyone know at my 50th class reunion

Crew and customer service were excellent. This flight also had plenty of leg room and seat mounted screens for entertainment. A very pleasant flight all around!

It would have been better if the crew has supported my husband's reasons for needing to keep the space clear around his feet, rather than insisting that he put his knapsack in that space.

We loved the steward on the plane. He made the night enjoyable

The plane was late, when we did board the plane was as cold as a freezer. I was freezing the entire flight, no blankets. Lost miserable flight I’ve ever had.

Delayed flight that lead to a missed connection and a 5-hour trip became a 12-hour flight 🙄

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!

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Information on your arrival and departure airports