What is the cheapest airline that flies from San Francisco to Chicago?

Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from San Francisco to Chicago

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between San Francisco and Chicago?

Denver (DEN) was the most common stop: 52% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from San Francisco to Chicago?

Phoenix (PHX) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 05m.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per day?

59 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of July 2025. The most popular departure time for this route is 8:00AM, with 47% of flights per day taking off at noon.

What airlines fly to Chicago?

United Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Chicago from San Francisco according to our data. United Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 49% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Chicago. Keep in mind that there are 8 different airlines that fly to Chicago on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from San Francisco to Chicago?

Flights connecting via Phoenix (PHX) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 6h 37m.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per week?

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 417 per week as of July 2025. The most frequent departure day is Thu, with 23% of weekly flights leaving on this day.

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from San Francisco to Chicago?

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $202.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

As of July 2025, there are 8 operators available to choose from for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.

How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

$83 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago in 2025

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Find the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

6:10 am - 12:30 pmSFO-ORD

4h 20mnonstop

3:19 pm - 6:01 pmORD-SFO

4h 42mnonstop

$187American Airlines

Find Deal

Sun, Aug 31 - Sat, Sep 6

9:25 am - 3:35 pmSFO-MDW

4h 10mnonstop

8:15 am - 10:50 amMDW-SFO

4h 35mnonstop

$188Southwest

Find Deal

Sun, Aug 31 - Sat, Sep 6

5:10 am - 11:30 amSFO-ORD

4h 20mnonstop

7:10 am - 9:55 amORD-SFO

4h 45mnonstop

$198United Airlines

Find Deal

Fri, Oct 31 - Mon, Nov 3

6:10 am - 12:30 pmSFO-ORD

4h 20mnonstop

3:20 pm - 10:23 pmORD-SFO

9h 03m1 stop

$211Hawaiian Airlines

Find Deal

Sun, Aug 31 - Sat, Sep 6

10:26 am - 11:59 pmSFO-ORD

11h 33m1 stop

8:20 am - 2:01 pmORD-SFO

7h 41m1 stop

$216Alaska Airlines

Find Deal

Wed, Oct 8 - Wed, Oct 15

11:10 pm - 5:23 amSFO-ORD

4h 13mnonstop

6:15 am - 8:56 amORD-SFO

4h 41mnonstop

$217United Airlines

Find Deal

Fri, Sep 5 - Sun, Sep 7

10:26 am - 11:59 pmSFO-ORD

11h 33m1 stop

2:54 pm - 10:01 pmORD-SFO

9h 07m1 stop

$220Alaska Airlines

Find Deal

Tue, Oct 21 - Tue, Nov 11

6:59 pm - 5:01 amSFO-ORD

8h 02m1 stop

7:00 am - 12:35 pmORD-SFO

7h 35m1 stop

$222Hawaiian Airlines

Find Deal

Thu, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 17

8:00 am - 11:48 amSFO-ORD

25h 48m1 stop

8:25 am - 8:15 amORD-SFO

25h 50m1 stop

$234Frontier

Find Deal

Wed, Sep 17 - Sat, Sep 20

6:34 am - 10:37 amSFO-ORD

26h 03m1 stop

7:20 am - 10:33 pmORD-SFO

17h 13m1 stop

$236Frontier

Find Deal

Sat, Aug 23 - Wed, Aug 27

Frontier flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Frontier deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Frontier

Sep 17

SFO8:00 amSan Francisco

25h 48m

1 stop

ORD11:48 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Sep 20

ORD8:25 amChicago O'Hare Intl

25h 50m

1 stop

SFO8:15 amSan Francisco

$234

Find similar

Frontier

Aug 23

SFO6:34 amSan Francisco

26h 03m

1 stop

ORD10:37 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Aug 27

ORD7:20 amChicago O'Hare Intl

17h 13m

1 stop

SFO10:33 pmSan Francisco

$236

Find similar

Frontier

Aug 5

SFO8:53 pmSan Francisco

11h 21m

1 stop

ORD10:14 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Aug 16

ORD1:39 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

8h 00m

1 stop

SFO7:39 pmSan Francisco

$238

Find similar

American Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best American Airlines deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

American Airlines

Aug 31

SFO6:10 amSan Francisco

4h 20m

ORD12:30 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Sep 6

ORD3:19 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 42m

SFO6:01 pmSan Francisco

$187

Find similar

American Airlines

Aug 26

SFO2:26 pmSan Francisco

4h 22m

ORD8:48 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Aug 31

ORD6:45 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 30m

SFO9:15 amSan Francisco

$188

Find similar

American Airlines

Aug 26

SFO10:16 amSan Francisco

4h 21m

ORD4:37 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Aug 31

ORD6:45 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 30m

SFO9:15 amSan Francisco

$193

Find similar

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sun 8/31

6:10 am-12:30 pm

Nonstop4h 20m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/6

3:19 pm-6:01 pm

Nonstop4h 42m

$187

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Sun 8/31

9:25 am-3:35 pm

Nonstop4h 10m

Chicago Midway

Sat 9/6

8:15 am-10:50 am

Nonstop4h 35m

$188

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 10/31

5:10 am-11:30 am

Nonstop4h 20m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 11/3

7:10 am-9:55 am

Nonstop4h 45m

$198

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sun 8/31

6:10 am-12:30 pm

Nonstop4h 20m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/6

3:20 pm-10:23 pm

1 stop9h 03m

$211

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 10/8

10:26 am-11:59 pm

1 stop11h 33m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 10/15

8:20 am-2:01 pm

1 stop7h 41m

$216

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 9/5

11:10 pm-5:23 am

Nonstop4h 13m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 9/7

6:15 am-8:56 am

Nonstop4h 41m

$217

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Tue 10/21

10:26 am-11:59 pm

1 stop11h 33m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 11/11

2:54 pm-10:01 pm

1 stop9h 07m

$220

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Thu 11/13

6:59 pm-5:01 am

1 stop8h 02m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 11/17

7:00 am-12:35 pm

1 stop7h 35m

$222

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 9/17

8:00 am-11:48 am

1 stop25h 48m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/20

8:25 am-8:15 am

1 stop25h 50m

$234

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sat 8/23

6:34 am-10:37 am

1 stop26h 03m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 8/27

7:20 am-10:33 pm

1 stop17h 13m

$236

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Layovers

Other information

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

The month of February is, on average, the cheapest month to fly to Chicago from San Francisco, with most prices found around $286. If you’re not able to fly to Chicago in February, then January is your next best option. Flight prices from San Francisco to Chicago during January average around $307.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

The cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago is on a Wednesday when prices can be found for as low as $408. This is often the case because there is less demand to fly during this day of the week. When flying out on a Sunday, the most expensive travel day of the week, you can expect to see flight prices from San Francisco to Chicago for around $511.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Chicago is in the afternoon. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $415. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $478.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Chicago from San Francisco when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Chicago for around $366 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Chicago from San Francisco for as low as $290 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

There are 4 cabin classes available to choose from on San Francisco to Chicago flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

You could potentially save up to 27% on your flight if you consider stops on a San Francisco to Chicago flight.

How have San Francisco to Chicago flight prices changed over time?

As of July 2025, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 20% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from San Francisco to Chicago according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated round-trip price

Cheap San Francisco to Chicago (SFO to CHI) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Best Price Found	$83
Fastest flight time	4h 00m
Direct flights	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun
Airports in Chicago	2 airports

The best one-way flight to Chicago from San Francisco in the past 72 hours is $83. The best round-trip flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $187.

The fastest flight from San Francisco to Chicago takes 4h 00m

Direct flights go from San Francisco to Chicago on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The only airline offering direct flights is Southwest.

There are 2 airports near Chicago: Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD), Chicago Midway (MDW)

Search flight deals

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?
A flight from San Francisco to Chicago will travel around 1852.8 mi. Typically, this will take 4h 00m by plane in normal conditions.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
As of July 2025, there are 8 operators available to choose from for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.
How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?
The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.
What is the most popular plane model from San Francisco to Chicago?
Based on momondo bookings for flights between San Francisco and Chicago, the leading plane model is Airbus A321neo, making up 15.66% of the total bookings. Other popular models include Boeing 777 with 15.62%, Boeing 737-800 with 15.48%, and Boeing 757-300 with 13.49%.
What is the most popular airline from San Francisco to Chicago?
Based on momondo bookings for flights between San Francisco and Chicago, the leading airline is United Airlines, making up 40% of the total bookings. Other popular airlines include American Airlines with 32%, Alaska Airlines with 12%, and Frontier with 8%.

Best airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from San Francisco to Chicago with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Hawaiian Airlines	PriceFrom $108	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 2,610 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
Frontier	PriceFrom $118	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.9 3,238 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Delta	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 7,980 reviews	Search Delta flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $133	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 8,902 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Spirit Airlines	PriceFrom $143	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.3 8,047 reviews	Search Spirit Airlines flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $179	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 10,000 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $185	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,244 reviews	Search Southwest flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $197	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.2 10,000 reviews	Search American Airlines flights

Alaska Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
The lowest priced Alaska Airlines flight from San Francisco to Chicago from the last 72 hours was $179. Generally, Alaska Airlines has 7 flights on this route every week with an average price of $306. Alaska Airlines is rated 8.0/10 by our users.
Southwest Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
Southwest is also a popular choice for this route. Southwest flight deals for San Francisco to Chicago start from as low as $185 round-trip, depending on your selected dates, with average Southwest deals seen on momondo around $348. Southwest operates 6 flights to Chicago from San Francisco in an average week. Users have rated it 8.0/10 across 4,244 reviews.

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Saint Joseph

Portage

Lansing

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Crown Point

Munster

Chesterton

Monticello

Porter

Griffith

Saint John

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago?

momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and agents so you can find and book the best deal on flights from San Francisco to Chicago. Millions of users trust and use momondo every year so you are in good hands.

Can I find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. All flights to Chicago from San Francisco on momondo can be compared and filtered by various policies on offer, including flexible booking.

How can momondo help me find flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Chicago from San Francisco. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

I’m not ready to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

If you are not ready to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago now, use our insights above to find helpful tips or alternatively set up a price alert, where momondo will track prices on flights to Chicago and let you know when they change.

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Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago from $83

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago departing on 8/20. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Big names and deals

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Filter for what you want

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Frontier flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Frontier deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

American Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best American Airlines deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

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Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are best for you.

See travel insights to Chicago from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Chicago is in the afternoon. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $415. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $478.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

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

What cabin class options are available on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

There are 4 cabin classes available to choose from on San Francisco to Chicago flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

You could potentially save up to 27% on your flight if you consider stops on a San Francisco to Chicago flight.

How have San Francisco to Chicago flight prices changed over time?

As of July 2025, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 20% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from San Francisco to Chicago?

Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from San Francisco to Chicago

What airlines fly to Chicago?

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between San Francisco and Chicago?

Denver (DEN) was the most common stop: 52% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from San Francisco to Chicago?

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $202.

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from San Francisco to Chicago?

Flights connecting via Phoenix (PHX) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 6h 37m.

Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from San Francisco to Chicago?

Phoenix (PHX) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 05m.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per day?

59 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of July 2025. The most popular departure time for this route is 8:00AM, with 47% of flights per day taking off at noon.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per week?

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 417 per week as of July 2025. The most frequent departure day is Thu, with 23% of weekly flights leaving on this day.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Cheap San Francisco to Chicago (SFO to CHI) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Chicago

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?

When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

How many operators does momondo search for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

What is the most popular plane model from San Francisco to Chicago?

What is the most popular airline from San Francisco to Chicago?

Best airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from San Francisco to Chicago with momondo

Alaska Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

Southwest Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago?

Can I find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with flexible booking policies on momondo?

How can momondo help me find flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

I’m not ready to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

An easier way to manage your Chicago trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down