Cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Chicago FSS
CHI
San Francisco
SFO

Flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco

Below you can see the best deals on flights Chicago — San Francisco for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 10 September, from $86.

Top 10 cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco

F9
F9
$ 86

Chicago — San Francisco

06:30—10:47
12 Sep 2026
6 h 17 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 86

Chicago — San Francisco

13:21—18:24
12 Sep 2026
7 h 3 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 86

Chicago — San Francisco

10:26—19:48
10 Sep 2026
11 h 22 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

13:04—22:28
12 Sep 2026
11 h 24 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

06:20—19:48
12 Sep 2026
15 h 28 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

06:30—00:14
12 Sep 2026
19 h 44 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

13:21—08:14
12 Sep 2026
20 h 53 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

13:01—22:28
10 Sep 2026
11 h 27 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

20:55—08:14
14 Sep 2026
13 h 19 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 92

Chicago — San Francisco

20:55—14:29
14 Sep 2026
19 h 34 m
1 stop

Prices were found in the last 72 hours and may change — check the exact price when you continue.

About the Chicago — San Francisco flight

Looking for cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Chicago — San Francisco ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 189 flights per week, flights are operated by United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 4 h 37 min, the distance between the cities is around 2,992 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our San Francisco travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and San Francisco weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $86Min. price
SeptemberCheapest
FebruaryPeak season
YesDirect flights
2,992 kmDistance
4 h 37 minTravel time
3Airlines
189 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Chicago to San Francisco

The table shows direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 4 h 37 min. Regular flights are operated by United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Departures from O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport and Midway International Airport airports, arrivals at San Francisco International Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

Today
Any time
Last update: 14 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Chicago — San Francisco

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Chicago — San Francisco by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $86 in September, and the most expensive are around $149 in February. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
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Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Chicago to San Francisco by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around $156) and priciest in December (about $212) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$160lowMay$184mediumSep$170low
Feb$156lowJun$207highOct$174medium
Mar$174mediumJul$198highNov$203high
Apr$198highAug$189mediumDec$212high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in San Francisco: it is warmest in September (up to 24 °C on average) and coolest in January (around 14 °C). The driest month is June.

Tickets are usually cheapest in September and most expensive in February. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · San Francisco

Dry and wet days · San Francisco

Wind speed and direction · San Francisco

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How to get the best deal on a Chicago — San Francisco ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Chicago — San Francisco are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • Chicago is served by more than one airport — compare fares and travel time to each before you book.
  • The cheapest month to fly to San Francisco is usually September — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Chicago — San Francisco route are operated by 3 airlines; United Airlines runs the most flights (around 60% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • United AirlinesUA
    38x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 956165M pax/year
    • Direct flight ORD → SFO38x/week
      Duration
      4h 43m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    60.3%Open →
  • American AirlinesAA
    22x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 965211M pax/year
    • Direct flight ORD → SFO22x/week
      Duration
      4h 40m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    35.4%Open →
  • Southwest AirlinesWN
    3x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 817140M pax/year
    • Direct flight MDW → SFO3x/week
      Duration
      4h 34m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    4.2%Open →

Cities and airports on the Chicago — San Francisco route

Flights Chicago — San Francisco depart from O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Midway International Airport and Chicago Rockford International Airport and arrive at San Francisco International Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Chicago

CHI
United States
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country United States
Arrival

San Francisco

SFO
United States
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country United States
Departure airports
Arrival airports

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Frequently asked questions about the Chicago — San Francisco flight

How long is the flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

A nonstop Chicago — San Francisco flight takes about 4 h 37 min — the distance between the cities is around 2,992 km.

How far is it from Chicago to San Francisco?

The distance from Chicago to San Francisco is about 2,992 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 4 h 37 min.

Are there direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Chicago — San Francisco — around 189 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Chicago to San Francisco?

Airlines operating Chicago — San Francisco include United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Chicago — San Francisco flights use?

Flights from Chicago depart from O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Midway International Airport, and arrive at San Francisco International Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Chicago to San Francisco?

The price of a Chicago — San Francisco ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in September, and most expensive in February. Tickets typically cost between $86 and $149. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Chicago — San Francisco?

Flights Chicago — San Francisco are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is September. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

To catch a low fare Chicago — San Francisco, book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually September.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Chicago

See all
New York CityTorontoDetroitWashington, D.C.AtlantaMinneapolisLos AngelesSeattleBostonDallasHoustonOrlandoDenverNashvilleLondonIndianapolisSan DiegoMontrealSt. LouisMilwaukeeCharlottePhiladelphiaColumbusKansas CityPhoenixMiamiLas VegasCincinnatiGrand RapidsDes MoinesRaleighMadisonDaytonGreen BayTampaPittsburghLouisvilleKnoxvilleRochesterCleveland

Where else you can fly from San Francisco

See all
Los AngelesNew York CitySeattleSan DiegoSanta AnaLas VegasBurbankBostonVancouverPhoenixPortlandLondonDenverPalm SpringsHonoluluDallasSalt Lake CityAustinAtlantaWashington, D.C.HoustonKahuluiTaipeiMinneapolisTorontoDetroitOrlandoSpokaneTokyoParisBoiseSan Jose del CaboKapaaPuerto VallartaRedmondSeoulFrankfurt am MainCalgaryMexico CityKailua-Kona

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