Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco from $81

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco (CHI-SFO)?

  Based on Trip.com data, Frontier Airlines offers one-way fares as low as $81 on Cheapest nonstop routes (e.g. ORD to SFO on Tue, Nov 3), while Frontier Airlines offers Cheapest nonstop round-trips from $153 departing on Thu, Sep 10 and returning on Wed, Sep 16.

• Which airlines offer direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

  At the moment, you can catch a nonstop flight from Chicago to San Francisco with the following airlines, including: American Airlines United Airlines Delta Air Lines Selected airlines are based on historical data collected from flight bookings users made on Trip.com within the last 90 days.

• How long does it take to fly from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO) and what is the distance?

  It takes around 5 hours 7 minutes to fly from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO).

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

  By analyzing data from all airlines on the Trip.com flight calendar, it looks like the best time to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco is around 40 days (6 weeks) in advance, and the best time to fly is usually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tuesday typically offers the cheapest flights for departure, while Saturday offers the best return deals.

• How many flights are there per week from Chicago to San Francisco?

  Based on Trip.com data in the past 4 weeks, there is 148 flight per week flying from Chicago to San Francisco. You can check the weekly schedule for popular airlines on this route below: United Airlines: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- UA1116 (08:08) United Airlines: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- UA543 (10:54)

• How can I find the best deals on flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

  To find best deals on flights from Chicago to San Francisco, you can use various tools on Trip.com:
  · Be flexible with your travel dates to get the cheapest flight deal. Now the cheapest flight deal is on Tue, Nov 3, with one-way flights priced at just $81.
  · Compare airlines strategically. Budget carriers often provide the lowest base fares, while we found the most affordable airline currently operating on this route is American Airlines.
  · Set up price alerts to easily monitor ticket prices without having to check every day.
  · Check Trip.com flight deals and promo codes frequently.
  · Avoid peak season unless you book very early. It seems the peak season for San Francisco travel is around July.
  · Get exclusive promo codes for Trip.com app users.

• When are flight tickets from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO) the cheapest?

  The cheapest months to fly from Chicago to San Francisco is November, when demand for travel is lower.

• Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Chicago to San Francisco on?

  After crunching the numbers on our September flight calendar, it's currently cheapest to fly from Chicago to San Francisco on September 15, 2026 with Frontier Airlines, with prices starting at $80.

• Which airports can I fly into San Francisco from Chicago?

  You can arrive at any of the following airports in San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Flights from O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport (ORD-SFO) are by far the most popular option for this route.

• Is there any time difference between Chicago and San Francisco?

  The time difference between San Francisco and Chicago is 2h.

• How do I change or cancel my ticket from Chicago to San Francisco?

  Tickets can only be changed or canceled if permitted by airline policy. To submit a change or cancellation request, go to the flight bookings page, select the option to change or cancel your booking, choose the relevant passengers and segment, and submit a request. Please note that additional charges may apply according to the airline ticket policy. However, if the flight has been rescheduled and you would like to change or cancel your ticket, you can submit an involuntary cancellation request. For more details about change and cancellation policies, please check the customer support pages.

• What is the average cost of a one-way flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

  Based on Trip.com data for flights departing in the next 30 days, the average one-way fare from Chicago to San Francisco is $179. Fares vary by travel date, airline and availability.

• What is the average cost of a round-trip flight from Chicago to San Francisco?

  Based on Trip.com data for travel in the next 30 days, the average round-trip fare from Chicago to San Francisco is $322. The final price depends on the outbound and return dates, airline and fare conditions.

• How do I book flights from Chicago to San Francisco on Trip.com?

  Enter Chicago and San Francisco, choose your travel dates and passengers, then compare flights by price, duration and baggage. Select a fare, review the change and cancellation rules, enter traveler details and complete payment to receive your confirmation.

• Are there budget airlines on the Chicago to San Francisco route?

  Jetblue Airways and Frontier Airlinesare the most popular budget airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco. Check baggage, seat and payment fees before comparing the final price.