Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago

San Francisco
SFO
Chicago FSS
CHI

Flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago

Below you can see the best deals on flights San Francisco — Chicago 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 29 September, from $87.

Top 10 cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago

F9
F9
$ 84

San Francisco — Chicago

20:23—06:17
8 Sep 2026
7 h 54 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 84

San Francisco — Chicago

19:11—05:38
9 Sep 2026
8 h 27 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 84

San Francisco — Chicago

20:24—05:38
14 Sep 2026
7 h 14 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 86

San Francisco — Chicago

20:24—05:38
10 Sep 2026
7 h 14 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 86

San Francisco — Chicago

23:58—11:59
10 Sep 2026
10 h 1 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 90

San Francisco — Chicago

19:11—05:38
12 Sep 2026
8 h 27 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 90

San Francisco — Chicago

20:56—05:38
8 Sep 2026
30 h 42 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 90

San Francisco — Chicago

11:42—00:23
9 Sep 2026
10 h 41 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 90

San Francisco — Chicago

15:15—05:38
9 Sep 2026
12 h 23 m
1 stop
F9
F9
$ 90

San Francisco — Chicago

06:04—00:23
9 Sep 2026
16 h 19 m
1 stop

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

About the San Francisco — Chicago flight

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

The route has direct flights — around 169 flights per week, flights are operated by United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 4 h 13 min, the distance between the cities is around 2,992 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Chicago travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Chicago 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 $87Min. price
SeptemberCheapest
AprilPeak season
YesDirect flights
2,992 kmDistance
4 h 13 minTravel time
3Airlines
169 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from San Francisco to Chicago

The table shows direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 4 h 13 min. Regular flights are operated by United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Departures from San Francisco International Airport airports, arrivals at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport and Midway 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: San Francisco — Chicago

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for San Francisco — Chicago by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $87 in September, and the most expensive are around $154 in April. 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 San Francisco to Chicago by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around $174) and priciest in December (about $236) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$179lowMay$226highSep$179low
Feb$174lowJun$217highOct$193medium
Mar$189mediumJul$198mediumNov$226high
Apr$198mediumAug$189lowDec$236high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Chicago: it is warmest in July (up to 27 °C on average) and coolest in January (around 0 °C). The driest month is November.

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

Temperature · Chicago

Dry and wet days · Chicago

Wind speed and direction · Chicago

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

  • Book ahead: fares for San Francisco — Chicago 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.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Chicago 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 San Francisco — Chicago route are operated by 3 airlines; United Airlines runs the most flights (around 51% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • United AirlinesUA
    29x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 956165M pax/year
    • Direct flight SFO → ORD29x/week
      Duration
      4h 28m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    50.9%Open →
  • American AirlinesAA
    24x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 965211M pax/year
    • Direct flight SFO → ORD24x/week
      Duration
      4h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    43.2%Open →
  • Southwest AirlinesWN
    3x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 817140M pax/year
    • Direct flight SFO → MDW3x/week
      Duration
      4h 7m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    5.9%Open →

Cities and airports on the San Francisco — Chicago route

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

Departure

San Francisco

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

Chicago

CHI
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 San Francisco — Chicago flight

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Chicago?

A nonstop San Francisco — Chicago flight takes about 4 h 13 min — the distance between the cities is around 2,992 km.

How far is it from San Francisco to Chicago?

The distance from San Francisco to Chicago is about 2,992 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 4 h 13 min.

Are there direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

Yes, there are nonstop flights San Francisco — Chicago — around 169 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Chicago?

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

Which airports do San Francisco — Chicago flights use?

Flights from San Francisco depart from San Francisco International Airport, and arrive at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Midway 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 San Francisco to Chicago?

The price of a San Francisco — Chicago ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in September, and most expensive in April. Tickets typically cost between $87 and $154. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

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

Flights San Francisco — Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago?

To catch a low fare San Francisco — Chicago, 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 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

Where else you can fly from Chicago

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

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