Cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Flights overview

Useful information for finding cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco and booking your next trip
Cheapest round-trip flightsHK$1,417
Frontier1 stop7 hrThu, Jan 8 — Wed, Jan 14
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently HK$1,417
Cheapest one-way flightHK$576
Frontier1 stop12 hrWed, Feb 18
The cheapest one-way flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently HK$576
Cheapest nonstop flightsHK$1,837
AmericanNonstop5 hrSat, Jan 17 — Sat, Jan 24
The cheapest nonstop round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently HK$1,837
Last-minute weekend getawayHK$3,487
Frontier1 stop10 hrThu, Dec 25 — Sun, Dec 28
The cheapest last-minute weekend getaway from Chicago to San Francisco is currently HK$3,487
Cheapest business class flightsHK$5,712
Alaska1 stop10 hrSat, Jan 31 — Sat, Feb 7
The cheapest business class round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco is currently HK$5,712
Fastest flight4 hr 35 minThe fastest nonstop flight from Chicago to San Francisco takes 4 hr 35 min
Nonstop flightsEvery dayThere are direct flights on this route every day.

When is the cheapest time to fly?

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to San Francisco is typically January. The most expensive month to fly is typically December.
January
Cheapest
Typical prices: HK$1,150–2,250
December
Most expensive
Typical prices: HK$1,650–3,450

Popular airlines from Chicago to San Francisco

  • United
    Nonstop
    from HK$1,789
    Typical price: HK$1,600–3,650
    76 weekly nonstop flights
    ORD - SFOEvery day
    604 weekly connecting flights
    ORD - SFOEvery day
  • Southwest
    Nonstop
    from HK$1,928
    Typical price: HK$2,000–3,950
    7 weekly nonstop flights
    MDW - SFOEvery day
    2356 weekly connecting flights
    MDW, ORD - SFOEvery day
  • American
    Nonstop
    from HK$1,837
    Typical price: HK$1,650–4,000
    17 weekly nonstop flights
    ORD - SFOEvery day
    250 weekly connecting flights
    ORD - SFOEvery day
  • Delta
    from HK$1,840
    Typical price: HK$1,950–4,600
    325 weekly connecting flights
    MDW, ORD - SFOEvery day
  • Alaska
    from HK$1,821
    Typical price: HK$2,000–4,400
    67 weekly connecting flights
    ORD - SFOEvery day
  • Frontier
    from HK$1,284
    Typical price: HK$1,350–3,050
    48 weekly connecting flights
    MDW, ORD - SFOEvery day

Popular airports near Chicago

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
    ChicagoUnited States29 min25 km
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
    ChicagoUnited States25 min14 km
  • Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
    MilwaukeeUnited States1 hr 27 min120 km
  • Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
    IndianapolisUnited States2 hr 59 min265 km

Popular airports near San Francisco

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
    San FranciscoUnited States19 min17 km
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
    OaklandUnited States27 min18 km
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
    SacramentoUnited States1 hr 34 min125 km
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
    San JoseUnited States51 min62 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Chicago to San Francisco

The cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco are usually in January. Typical ticket prices in January range from HK$1,150 to HK$2,250.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from HK$1,417. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from HK$576.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,789, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,928, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest American flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,837, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,840, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,821, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,284, flying from Feb 21 to Mar 2.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco starts at HK$1,417 from Thu, Jan 8 to Wed, Jan 14. The cheapest one-way flight starts at HK$576 and departs on Wed, Feb 18.
4 hr 35 min is the shortest flight time from Chicago to San Francisco.
Apr–Dec is when most people visit San Francisco, with crowds peaking in summer. Although average temperatures are higher then, mornings and evenings often have damp, chilly fog. In summer, street fairs and cultural institutions offer free outdoor entertainment. Winter visitors will find the opera and ballet seasons in full swing. Major annual events include Chinese New Year (Feb), Bay to Breakers footrace (May), San Francisco Pride parade and festival (Jun), and San Francisco Fleet Week (Oct).
It's easy to use Google Flights to find the cheapest days to fly from Chicago to San Francisco.
Just click the Departure label near the top of the page to open the calendar. Choose a start date and a return date to see how the round-trip fare changes on those specific days.
Adjust the trip type to see one-way fares. The cheapest available flights are highlighted and easy to spot. Once you settle on dates, click the Search button to see flight options and book the deal.

You can also turn on price tracking to get alerts if the price changes for a route or flight.
What counts as the best airline for your flights from Chicago to San Francisco really depends on your individual needs. You may have a favorite carrier or a loyalty program you like, but price, convenience, and airports served also come into play. Flexibility and booking terms – Can you change flights if you want to stay longer or get a refund if you have to postpone your trip? – are also factors that help determine which airline is best to fly from Chicago to San Francisco.

In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 76 nonstop flights and 604 connecting flights per week. United flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

In terms of flights, Southwest is the most popular. Southwest offers 7 nonstop flights and 2,356 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Other popular airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco are:
  • American offers 17 nonstop flights and 250 connecting flights per week. American flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Delta offers 325 connecting flights per week. Delta flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Alaska offers 67 connecting flights per week. Alaska flies from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Frontier offers 48 connecting flights per week. Frontier flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The number of connecting flights refers to distinct flights with at least one stop between Chicago and San Francisco.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from HK$1,417. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from HK$576.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,789, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,928, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest American flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,837, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,840, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,821, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from Chicago to San Francisco is HK$1,284, flying from Feb 21 to Mar 2.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco.
  • There are 76 United direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Southwest direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 17 American direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Chicago and San Francisco at price HK$3,487 is offered by Frontier from Thu, Dec 25 to Sun, Dec 28.
Southwest, United and American fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco.
  • There are 76 United direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Southwest direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 17 American direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
There are direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco on a daily basis.
The cheapest direct (nonstop) round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at HK$1,837 from Sat, Jan 17 to Sat, Jan 24 with American.
It's easy to find nonstop flights with Google Flights! Once you've searched for flights from Chicago to San Francisco, just select the nonstop flights only option in the 'Stops’ filter in the search form and view all available direct flights and their prices.
The cheapest business class round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at HK$5,712 from Sat, Jan 31 to Sat, Feb 7 with Alaska.
The cheapest economy class round-trip flights between Chicago and San Francisco start at HK$1,417 from Thu, Jan 8 to Wed, Jan 14.
To book business class trips from Chicago to San Francisco, look for the default Economy selection at the top, and change it to your desired cabin class such as Premium Economy, Business Class, or First Class. You can then select your departure and arrival dates, consider available options, and book your business travel.

You can also adjust the trip type to view one-way fares.
The best last-minute getaway deal for the next weekend between Chicago and San Francisco starts at HK$3,487 from Thu, Dec 25 to Sun, Dec 28 with Frontier.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Chicago and San Francisco at price HK$3,487 is offered by Frontier from Thu, Dec 25 to Sun, Dec 28.
To find last-minute flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco, start by entering the city names, select the desired departure and return dates, and hit the Search button to view flight options.

You can check for last-minute flights for the same day or adjust the trip type to see one-way fares.

Search more flights

Popular trips from Chicago

  1. Miami
    HK$394
    Jan 12 — Jan 21
    Nonstop3 hr 17 minSpirit
  2. Dublin
    HK$3,632
    May 4 — May 13
    1 stop10 hr 55 minAir Canada, United
  3. Phoenix
    HK$452
    Jan 24 — Jan 31
    Nonstop4 hr 11 minFrontier
  4. Lisbon
    HK$3,521
    Apr 13 — Apr 21
    1 stop14 hr 20 minScandinavian Airlines

Find cheap flights from Chicago to anywhere

Find cheap flights on popular routes