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Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco
CHI → SFO • About 4h 25m nonstop • 4 airlines
Adults
+12 years old
Children
2-11 years old
Infants
Under 2 years
Fares shown are the lowest we have recorded recently on this route and are not a live quote. Run a search above for today's availability, or call (800) 399-8818 and an agent will price it with you.
Flights from Chicago (CHI) to San Francisco (SFO)
The Chicago to San Francisco route covers roughly 1,850 miles and takes about 4h 25m nonstop. 4 airlines compete on it — United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines — which keeps fares moving and makes it worth comparing carriers rather than defaulting to the one you usually fly. We have seen one-way fares on this route start around $128.
San Francisco is compact, walkable in bursts, and steeper than photographs suggest. Seven square miles hold the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown, the Mission murals and some of the best food in the country.
It is also the gateway to Napa, Sonoma, Muir Woods and Highway 1 — most visitors build in at least one day outside the city.
Airlines flying CHI to SFO
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Airports on this route
- Departing: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Departing: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Arriving: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Arriving: Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Arriving: Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)
Chicago is served by 2 airports. Fares between them can differ by $50 to $150 on the same dates, so ask us to price all of them before you book.
Best time to fly to San Francisco
September through November, which is genuinely the city's warmest and clearest stretch — summer is famously foggy and cold.
Top things to do in San Francisco
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Alcatraz Island
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Golden Gate Park
- Cable cars
- The Mission District
- Chinatown
How to save on Chicago to San Francisco flights
- Shift your departure by one or two days — midweek departures on this route are consistently cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
- Book four to eight weeks ahead. Last-minute fares on CHI to SFO routinely run double the advance price.
- Compare all 4 carriers rather than checking one airline's own site.
- Pack a jacket regardless of season; summer afternoons on the coast rarely clear 60°F.
- Oakland and San José airports are often cheaper and connect to the city by BART or Caltrain.
- Book Alcatraz tickets weeks ahead — they sell out well in advance in every season.
About flights from Chicago to San Francisco
Fares on the CHI to SFO route move with demand, so flexibility is worth more than timing tricks. Shifting your departure by a day or two, flying midweek instead of Friday or Sunday, and booking four to eight weeks ahead all reduce the fare on this route. Chicago is served by 2 airports, so ask us to price all of them — the difference is often significant. Our agents also hold consolidator and unpublished fares that do not appear in online results.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines all operate on this route. United Airlines typically offers the most frequencies, with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines providing competing schedules. Availability varies by season and by which Chicago airport you depart from, so it is worth comparing all carriers before booking.
A nonstop flight takes about 4h 25m. Itineraries with a connection typically add two to four hours depending on the layover city and the length of the stop.
The two cities are roughly 1,850 miles apart by air.
Departures leave from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Arrivals land at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC).
September through November, which is genuinely the city's warmest and clearest stretch — summer is famously foggy and cold.