CHI - SFO

₹ 9,004 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco

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 San Francisco departing on 19/11. 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

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, as well as popular online travel agencies
Travellers love KAYAK
41,299,237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

Save 27% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track pricesNot ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco (CHI-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Chicago to San Francisco 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 return flight deals from Chicago to San Francisco

Sat, 6 Dec - Wed, 10 Dec
Southwest Logo
15:05 - 19:50ORD-SFO
6h 45m1 stop
Southwest Logo
11:40 - 22:35SFO-ORD
8h 55m2 stops
₹ 18,715Southwest
Find Deal
Mon, 26 Jan - Tue, 3 Feb
Alaska Airlines Logo
18:50 - 09:11ORD-SFO
16h 21m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
14:40 - 23:59SFO-ORD
7h 19m1 stop
₹ 18,803Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, 15 Jan - Tue, 20 Jan
Delta Logo
07:30 - 13:17ORD-SFO
7h 47m1 stop
Delta Logo
13:59 - 23:44SFO-ORD
7h 45m1 stop
₹ 18,891Delta
Find Deal
Thu, 30 Oct - Fri, 31 Oct
United Airlines Logo
17:16 - 20:08ORD-SFO
4h 52mdirect
United Airlines Logo
22:40 - 05:00SFO-ORD
4h 20mdirect
₹ 18,979United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, 9 Oct - Sun, 12 Oct
United Airlines Logo
06:15 - 08:56ORD-SFO
4h 41mdirect
United Airlines Logo
05:15 - 11:46SFO-ORD
4h 31mdirect
₹ 19,421United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, 18 Oct - Sat, 25 Oct
Delta Logo
07:37 - 16:05ORD-SFO
10h 28m1 stop
Delta Logo
06:00 - 17:18SFO-ORD
9h 18m1 stop
₹ 19,686Delta
Find Deal
Tue, 21 Oct - Fri, 24 Oct
American Airlines Logo
19:15 - 22:09ORD-SFO
4h 54mdirect
American Airlines Logo
23:25 - 05:34SFO-ORD
4h 09mdirect
₹ 22,246American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, 25 Oct - Mon, 3 Nov
American Airlines Logo
17:45 - 20:28ORD-SFO
4h 43mdirect
American Airlines Logo
07:10 - 15:55SFO-ORD
6h 45m1 stop
₹ 23,658American Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, 18 Dec - Tue, 30 Dec
Sun Country Air Logo
11:45 - 17:18ORD-SFO
7h 33m1 stop
Sun Country Air Logo
23:59 - 10:44SFO-ORD
8h 45m1 stop
₹ 23,746Sun Country Air
Find Deal
Wed, 24 Dec - Mon, 29 Dec
Sun Country Air Logo
10:21 - 22:54ORD-SFO
14h 33m1 stop
Sun Country Air Logo
23:59 - 17:26SFO-ORD
15h 27m1 stop
₹ 24,011Sun Country Air
Find Deal

Everything you should know

Top airlines
Southwest
Cheapest • from ₹ 18,715 (return)
American Airlines
Best reviews • 7.2 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
MDW-SFO
Cheapest • 5% average savings
ORD-SFO
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
4 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 48% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
July
Cheapest • 9% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Cheapest return fare
₹ 18,715
Overall average: ₹ 30,720
Southwest
Sat 6/12Wed 10/12
ORD - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
₹ 18,979
Typical prices: ₹ 22,864-42593
United Airlines
Thu 30/10Fri 31/10
ORD - SFO • Direct
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to San Francisco flights

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

What is the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest return flight from Chicago to San Francisco costs ₹ 26,038 on the route between Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and San Francisco (SFO). Over the past month, this route was, on average, 5% cheaper than other Chicago-San Francisco routes. The most popular route is between Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO).

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to San Francisco?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to San Francisco on a Saturday and more expensive on a Friday. On your return trip to Chicago, you should consider flying back on a Monday, and avoid Saturdays for better deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco, 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 to San Francisco is July, where tickets cost ₹ 25,335 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is ₹ 32,927 and ₹ 32,133 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from Chicago to San Francisco?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a stopover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop stopover the cheapest option at ₹ 23,567 on average.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Chicago to San Francisco, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 48% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 9 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight₹ 9,004
Best time to beat the crowds (6% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (18% more expensive on average)
Flight from Chicago to San Francisco

When to book flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns 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 flights from Chicago to San Francisco

  • Can I fly from Chicago to San Francisco non-stop?

    Yes, you can. Flights from Chicago to San Francisco are quite popular and, as such, there are a great number of non-stop flights between the two cities every week. The flight is also not overly long, as it usually takes a little less than 5 hours.

  • How do I get from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport?

    To get to O’Hare International Airport from downtown Chicago you can use the Amtrak connections available (Blue Line) or the bus (there are a great number of lines serving the airport). Alternatively you can take one of the shuttle buses operated by many hotels in the area, or else just hail a cab.

  • Are there on-site hotels at Chicago Midway Airport?

    While there are no hotels located inside Chicago Midway Airport, there are a number of them located just outside, many of which include shuttle services to and from the airport in addition to comfortable rooms and a tasty breakfast spread. These include the Chicago Marriott Midway Hotel, the Courtyard Chicago Midway Airport Hotel, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Midway Airport Hotel.

  • What is there to do in O’Hare International Airport?

    If your flight to San Francisco is running late, take a chance to relax and stretch at the airport’s yoga room or work up a sweat at the Hilton Athletic Club, open even to non-guests for a small fee. You can also spend the time pampering yourself at the spa, getting a haircut at the barber shop, or enjoying some local art featured in the many displays scattered throughout the airport.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco was ₹ 102 for a one-way ticket and ₹ 212 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Chicago to San Francisco?

    On your way to San Francisco, you’ll fly out from Chicago O'Hare Intl. You’ll be landing at San Francisco.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Chicago to San Francisco?

    American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Chicago to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Chicago to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 757-300 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

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

  • On which days can I fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco?

    There are direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

    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 San Francisco.

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

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

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

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

    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 San Francisco 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 to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for ₹ 10,036 or less one-way.
  • Flights from Chicago to San Francisco usually depart either from Chicago O’Hare International Airport or from Chicago Midway Airport. Although the former is larger and more popular than the latter, it is also furthest away from downtown Chicago, located as it is just 17.5 miles northwest of the city. Though less often used, Chicago Midway Airport is only 10.8 miles south of the city center.
  • If you are flying from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and you are traveling with children, head to Terminal 2, where you can find the children’s play area. Fun and colorful, Kids On The Fly is an aviation-themed playground that has been voted “Most Awesome Airport Play Area”.
  • If San Francisco is just one leg of your trip and you are worried about what to do on your stopover there, don’t! San Francisco International Airport is simply full of things to do: hit the shops for some retail therapy, enjoy the local cuisine at the dozens of cafés scattered throughout the airport, or learn something new at the Aviation Museum or at the various exhibits on art & culture, history, and science organized in the various terminals.
  • If your flight from Chicago to San Francisco has arrived late and you don’t want to travel into the city at night, why not sleep at the airport? Located inside the International Terminal, FreshenUp offers travelers a small number of basic yet comfortable ensuite rooms; alternatively, if you don’t find place there, there are a number of hotels located just minutes from the airport, many of them offering shuttle services to their guests.
  • Once you get to San Francisco Airport, to get downtown you can use the city’s rich transportation network, which includes a number of bus lines and Amtrak connections running between the airport and various important locations within the city multiple times a day.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco?

 
Nonstop data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying nonstop from Chicago to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to San Francisco

Monday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Chicago

Monday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines

American Airlines, Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top airline flying from Chicago to San Francisco

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco? 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.
7.2
American AirlinesOverall score based on 10000 reviews
6.9Entertainment
6.4Food
7.2Comfort
7.5Boarding
8.0Crew
Airline reviews

Great. Quick and quiet and east. The breakfast choices were a welcome surprise!

10.0 ExcellentEnchantress, Sept 2025JFK - SFO
Read more American Airlines reviews

Great. Quick and quiet and east. The breakfast choices were a welcome surprise!

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 flew Business Class. Rory, one of the Cabin stewards, was attentive, explained the menu, provided appropriate drinks. was

This was a horrible experience. For a first class experience, my chair was held together by 3M tape - and I have a photo. The crew weren’t very attentive, somewhat dismissive and forgot my drink and snack, the chair reclined about 3 inches on a 6-hour cross country flight. I was also not informed that there was no lounge available in Newark airport because of renovations, so all around this was one of the worst experiences and I would actively avoid both American and Alaska Air going forward.

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.

Long 5 hour and 45 min flight and only one drink service and cookie snack

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

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights, car hires and package deals with KAYAK.