Find flights
Deals
When to book
Airlines
FAQs

Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago from $174

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 30/6. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — CHI
17 Jun — 24 Jun1
1 adult

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (CHI). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 12 June 2025.

Round-trip from

$343

One-way from

$174

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$586
Alaska Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines
  • 23/7-30/7
  • Nonstop
  • 9h 11m total
  • San Francisco to Chicago
Search Deals
Southwest
  • Southwest
  • 30/6
  • 1 total stop
  • 12h 50m total
  • San Francisco to Chicago
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 5% potential increase in price ($57 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($26 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in June 2025
Search Deals

Find flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago

Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Chicago. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 12 June 2025.

Wed 23/723:25SFO - ORD
Nonstop4h 14mUnited Airlines
Mon 28/718:20ORD - SFO
Nonstop4h 49mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/6$343
Wed 13/818:53SFO - ORD
1 stop8h 47mHawaiian Airlines
Sat 16/819:18ORD - SFO
Nonstop4h 48mHawaiian Airlines
Deal found 11/6$345
Mon 18/806:00SFO - ORD
2 stops15h 05mSouthwest
Thu 21/817:25ORD - SFO
1 stop7h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 10/6$346
Tue 5/811:55SFO - ORD
Nonstop4h 23mAlaska Airlines
Wed 6/819:18ORD - SFO
Nonstop4h 48mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 10/6$359
Wed 6/813:45SFO - ORD
1 stop8h 11mDelta
Thu 7/818:15ORD - SFO
1 stop8h 04mDelta
Deal found 11/6$424
Fri 11/700:55SFO - ORD
1 stop7h 09mAmerican Airlines
Tue 15/706:45ORD - SFO
Nonstop4h 33mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/6$457
Fri 25/711:55SFO - ORD
Nonstop4h 23mMultiple Airlines
Fri 1/819:18ORD - SFO
Nonstop4h 48mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/6$480
Fri 18/723:59SFO - ORD
1 stop15h 16mSun Country Air
Mon 21/718:19ORD - SFO
1 stop6h 34mSun Country Air
Deal found 10/6$489

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customise your flight search to find flights from San Francisco to Chicago that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 134,765 searches. Data last updated 12 June 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are best for you.

Fly from

San Francisco

Fly to

Chicago

Route

Departure

Return

Price

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 23/7

11:55-18:18

Nonstop4h 23m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 29/7

19:18-22:06

Nonstop4h 48m

$343

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 18/8

06:00-23:05

2 stops15h 05m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 21/8

17:25-22:40

1 stop7h 15m

$346

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 23/7

11:55-18:18

Nonstop4h 23m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 6/8

19:18-22:06

Nonstop4h 48m

$393

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 21/7

23:55-06:15

Nonstop4h 20m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 26/7

18:20-21:09

Nonstop4h 49m

$401

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 6/8

13:45-23:56

1 stop8h 11m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 7/8

18:15-00:19

1 stop8h 04m

$424

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 11/7

00:55-10:04

1 stop7h 09m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 15/7

06:45-09:18

Nonstop4h 33m

$457

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 18/7

23:59-17:15

1 stop15h 16m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 25/7

16:45-22:53

1 stop8h 08m

$472

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 25/7

11:55-18:18

Nonstop4h 23m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 1/8

19:18-22:06

Nonstop4h 48m

$480

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 30/6

21:00-11:50

1 stop12h 50m

$174

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 14/7

11:55-18:18

Nonstop4h 23m

$181

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 10/6

Showing 1-10 of 15 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Chicago from San Francisco with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from San Francisco to Chicago. Price data was last updated on 9 June 2025.

The price you pay for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 34 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SFO to CHI?

Find hourly flight availability from San Francisco to Chicago. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 12 June 2025.

When flying from San Francisco to Chicago, the time of day you decide to fly out makes little to no difference towards the overall price you’ll pay on tickets.

Weekly flight availability from San Francisco to Chicago

Explore weekly flight availability from San Francisco to Chicago. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 12 June 2025.

The most flights from SFO to CHI are scheduled on a Monday (95 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (52 on average).

Rainfall in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Chicago ranges from 43.0 - 125.0 inches per month. August is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 125.0 mm. January is typically the driest time to visit Chicago when rainfall is around 43.0 mm.

Temperature in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Chicago, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 23.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around -5.0 C).

Reviews of airlines servicing Chicago

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Chicago. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Chicago. Reviews last updated 12 June 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta from San Francisco to Chicago to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very Good
4,287 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very Good
7,946 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Hawaiian Airlines
7.9
Good
2,494 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,790 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very Good
10,000 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

7.8

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Francisco to Chicago. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    If you book a flight to Chicago from San Francisco, you will be flying from San Francisco, which is the city’s only airport. San Francisco (SFO) is located 19.0 km from the centre of San Francisco. There are 78 flights from San Francisco to Chicago per day from 0 different airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago round-trip?

    According to our current data, Alaska Airlines ($343), Southwest ($346), and United Airlines ($401) offers the cheapest pricing from San Francisco to Chicago. Alaska Airlines is 39% cheaper than the average price of flights available within the next 90 days to this destination.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Chicago one-way?

    The cheapest airline one-way is Southwest, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $174. However, be on the lookout for offers from United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as they are both options that can get you from San Francisco to Chicago for a low price.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from San Francisco to Chicago on time: Fiji Airways (100%), China Southern (91%), Alaska Airlines (89%).

  • Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Chicago that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on San Francisco to Chicago flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San Francisco to Chicago.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Chicago by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

How does Cheapflights help users find flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to Chicago from San Francisco today with Cheapflights!

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from San Francisco to Chicago?

It’s simple! Cheapflights, which is free to use for everyone, saves millions of users time and money every year by helping them find the cheapest and most suitable flights from San Francisco to Chicago.

Can Cheapflights find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with no change fees?

Yes! Cheapflights helps users easily find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from San Francisco to Chicago become cheaper?

Yes, and it’s super simple to set up. Click the bell icon next to the flight deals above and provide a valid email address to enable Price Alerts. That’s it!

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.
Site
©2025 Cheapflights