How many flights depart from Chicago to San Francisco on average per day?

The number of flights available between Chicago and San Francisco is 57 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 5:00PM, with 47% of daily flights leaving in the afternoon.

What is the most punctual flight time for Chicago to San Francisco flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from Chicago to San Francisco?

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $130.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Tuesday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Sunday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

How many flights depart from Chicago to San Francisco on average per week?

402 flights are operational weekly from Chicago to San Francisco as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 16% of flights per week taking off on this day.

Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from Chicago to San Francisco?

Detroit (DTW) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 48m.

What airlines fly to San Francisco?

United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest are the top three most popular airlines that fly to San Francisco from Chicago according to our data. United Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 48% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to San Francisco. Keep in mind that there are 9 different airlines that fly to San Francisco on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from Chicago to San Francisco?

Flights connecting via Phoenix (PHX) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 7h 23m.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Chicago to San Francisco flights?

According to our data, United Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 17% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between Chicago and San Francisco?

San Diego (SAN) was the most common stop: 73% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Chicago to San Francisco?

Southwest, United Airlines, and Delta are the most popular carriers operating from Chicago to San Francisco

How often are flights from Chicago to San Francisco delayed?

Historically, on average around 19% of flights between Chicago and San Francisco have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 169 minutes.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

Prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport refresh daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

As of December 2025, there are 8 operators available to choose from for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport.

How old do you have to be to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from Chicago to San Francisco Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to San Francisco Airport?

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to San Francisco Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at San Francisco Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

$126 Cheap Flights from Chicago to San Francisco in 2025/26

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10:53 am - 7:54 pm

MDW

SFO

11h 01m1 stop

11:49 pm - 9:55 am

SFO

MDW

8h 06m1 stop

$238Delta

Tue, Feb 17 - Tue, Mar 17

2:30 pm - 8:47 pm

ORD

SFO

8h 17m1 stop

11:41 am - 11:37 pm

SFO

ORD

9h 56m1 stop

$238Multiple Airlines

Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21

9:38 pm - 10:08 am

ORD

SFO

14h 30m1 stop

1:45 pm - 11:56 pm

SFO

ORD

8h 11m1 stop

$239Multiple Airlines

Fri, Feb 6 - Sun, Feb 15

6:10 am - 1:18 pm

MDW

SFO

9h 08m1 stop

9:39 pm - 11:47 am

SFO

MDW

12h 08m1 stop

$240Frontier

Thu, Jan 8 - Sun, Jan 18

10:49 pm - 7:48 am

ORD

SFO

10h 59m1 stop

6:24 am - 12:12 am

SFO

ORD

15h 48m1 stop

$240Frontier

Sun, Dec 21 - Mon, Jan 5

10:49 pm - 7:48 am

ORD

SFO

10h 59m1 stop

6:24 am - 12:12 am

SFO

ORD

15h 48m1 stop

$241Frontier

Sun, Dec 21 - Mon, Jan 5

9:00 am - 2:02 pm

ORD

SFO

7h 02m1 stop

7:00 am - 5:10 pm

SFO

ORD

8h 10m1 stop

$242Hawaiian Airlines

Wed, Jan 21 - Sun, Jan 25

3:35 pm - 9:58 pm

ORD

SFO

8h 23m1 stop

11:41 am - 11:37 pm

SFO

ORD

9h 56m1 stop

$246Alaska Airlines

Thu, Jan 22 - Wed, Jan 28

8:15 am - 11:15 am

MDW

SFO

5h 00mnonstop

9:30 pm - 9:05 am

SFO

MDW

9h 35m1 stop

$247Southwest

Sat, Jan 10 - Sat, Jan 17

8:15 am - 11:15 am

MDW

SFO

5h 00mnonstop

10:25 am - 4:20 pm

SFO

MDW

3h 55mnonstop

$257Southwest

Sat, Jan 10 - Sat, Jan 17

Frontier flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Our best Frontier deals on Chicago to San Francisco flight tickets

Frontier

Feb 6

ORD12:07 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

10h 57m

2 stops

SFO9:04 pmSan Francisco

Feb 19

SFO6:15 amSan Francisco

10h 31m

1 stop

ORD6:46 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

$239

Find similar

Frontier

Jan 8

MDW6:10 amChicago Midway

9h 08m

1 stop

SFO1:18 pmSan Francisco

Jan 18

SFO9:39 pmSan Francisco

12h 08m

1 stop

MDW11:47 amChicago Midway

$240

Find similar

Frontier

Dec 21

ORD10:49 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

10h 59m

1 stop

SFO7:48 amSan Francisco

Jan 5

SFO6:24 amSan Francisco

15h 48m

1 stop

ORD12:12 amChicago O'Hare Intl

$241

Find similar

Delta flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Our best Delta deals on Chicago to San Francisco flight tickets

Delta

Feb 17

MDW10:53 amChicago Midway

11h 01m

1 stop

SFO7:54 pmSan Francisco

Mar 17

SFO11:49 pmSan Francisco

8h 06m

1 stop

MDW9:55 amChicago Midway

$238

Find similar

Delta

Jan 7

MDW7:16 pmChicago Midway

6h 31m

1 stop

SFO11:47 pmSan Francisco

Jan 8

SFO12:40 amSan Francisco

6h 28m

1 stop

MDW9:08 amChicago Midway

$248

Find similar

Delta

Jan 16

MDW7:16 pmChicago Midway

6h 31m

1 stop

SFO11:47 pmSan Francisco

Jan 18

SFO5:45 amSan Francisco

9h 49m

1 stop

MDW5:34 pmChicago Midway

$249

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Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Tue 2/17

10:53 am-7:54 pm

1 stop11h 01m

San Francisco

Tue 3/17

11:49 pm-9:55 am

1 stop8h 06m

$238

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 1/15

2:30 pm-8:47 pm

1 stop8h 17m

San Francisco

Wed 1/21

11:41 am-11:37 pm

1 stop9h 56m

$238

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 2/6

9:38 pm-10:08 am

1 stop14h 30m

San Francisco

Sun 2/15

1:45 pm-11:56 pm

1 stop8h 11m

$239

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Thu 1/8

6:10 am-1:18 pm

1 stop9h 08m

San Francisco

Sun 1/18

9:39 pm-11:47 am

1 stop12h 08m

$240

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 12/21

10:49 pm-7:48 am

1 stop10h 59m

San Francisco

Mon 1/5

6:24 am-12:12 am

1 stop15h 48m

$240

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 12/21

10:49 pm-7:48 am

1 stop10h 59m

San Francisco

Mon 1/5

6:24 am-12:12 am

1 stop15h 48m

$241

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 1/21

9:00 am-2:02 pm

1 stop7h 02m

San Francisco

Sun 1/25

7:00 am-5:10 pm

1 stop8h 10m

$242

ChicagoSan Francisco

ORD - SFO

ORDSFO

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 1/22

3:35 pm-9:58 pm

1 stop8h 23m

San Francisco

Wed 1/28

11:41 am-11:37 pm

1 stop9h 56m

$246

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Sat 1/10

8:15 am-11:15 am

Nonstop5h 00m

San Francisco

Sat 1/17

9:30 pm-9:05 am

1 stop9h 35m

$247

ChicagoSan Francisco

MDW - SFO

MDWSFO

Chicago Midway

Sat 1/10

8:15 am-11:15 am

Nonstop5h 00m

San Francisco

Sat 1/17

10:25 am-4:20 pm

Nonstop3h 55m

$257

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Chicago to San Francisco

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Delays

Layovers

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco?

If you aren’t able to travel to San Francisco during the month of July, then flying in September is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of $288.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to San Francisco?

The cheapest day to depart from Chicago to San Francisco is on a Thursday when prices can be found for as low as $352. The most expensive day to fly to San Francisco is Sunday, with ticket prices averaging around $544.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to San Francisco?

Our data shows that the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to San Francisco in the evening for as low as $379. Flights in the afternoon are often more expensive with an average ticket price of $504.

What is the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flight route?

Fly from Chicago Midway to San Francisco for the best Chicago - San Francisco flight prices

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to San Francisco from Chicago when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to San Francisco for around $325 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to San Francisco from Chicago for as low as $277 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on Chicago to San Francisco flights?

There are 4 cabin classes available to choose from on Chicago to San Francisco flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Chicago to San Francisco flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Chicago to San Francisco flights are approximately 125% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from Chicago to San Francisco according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated round-trip price

Cheap Chicago to San Francisco (CHI to SFO) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Chicago to San Francisco

Best Price Found	$193
Fastest flight time	4h 30m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in San Francisco	1 airport

The best one-way flight to San Francisco from Chicago in the past 72 hours is $193. The best round-trip flight deal from Chicago to San Francisco found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $362.

The fastest flight from Chicago to San Francisco takes 4h 30m

Direct flights go from Chicago to San Francisco every day.

There is 1 airport near San Francisco: San Francisco (SFO)

Search flight deals

How far is Chicago to San Francisco by plane?
San Francisco is 1852.8 mi away from Chicago. Typically, this will take 4h 35m by plane in normal conditions.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?
Prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport refresh daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?
As of December 2025, there are 8 operators available to choose from for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport.
How old do you have to be to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?
The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from Chicago to San Francisco Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to San Francisco Airport?
The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to San Francisco Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at San Francisco Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from Chicago to San Francisco?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from Chicago to San Francisco is Airbus A321neo, representing 21.00% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Boeing 757-300 at 20.72%, Boeing 737-800 at 15.44%, and Boeing 737 MAX 9 at 10.05%.
What is the most popular airline from Chicago to San Francisco?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked airline on the route from Chicago to San Francisco is United Airlines, representing 49% of all bookings. The subsequent popular airlines are American Airlines at 36%, Alaska Airlines at 5%, and Frontier at 4%.

Best airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Chicago to San Francisco with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Frontier	PriceFrom $90	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.8 3,085 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Hawaiian Airlines	PriceFrom $108	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 2,818 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
Sun Country Air	PriceFrom $112	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.9 334 reviews	Search Sun Country Air flights
Delta	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 8,011 reviews	Search Delta flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $138	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,254 reviews	Search Southwest flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $188	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 11,420 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $197	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.2 11,043 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $205	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 9,089 reviews	Search United Airlines flights

Southwest Flights From Chicago to San Francisco
Southwest operates around 9 flights from Chicago to San Francisco every week. The average price of these flights found in the last 72 hours has been $390, but momondo users have found Southwest deals from Chicago to San Francisco from as low as $138 round-trip. Southwest has been scored 7.9/10 in 4,252 reviews.
United Airlines Flights From Chicago to San Francisco
$205 is the best United Airlines flight deal from Chicago to San Francisco found on momondo over the last 72 hours. The average United Airlines ticket price found was closer to $396, however, with flight time and availability significantly affecting the price. United Airlines (7.4/10 from 9,091 user reviews) flies into San Francisco from Chicago 46 times in an average week so prices can vary.

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Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Chicago to San Francisco?

To find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo gathers a range of flights from a large pool of different airlines and agents; you can then use our insights and filters to find and book the right flight to San Francisco from Chicago.

Can I find flights from Chicago to San Francisco with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. All flights to San Francisco from Chicago on momondo can be compared and filtered by various policies on offer, including flexible booking.

How can momondo help me find flights from Chicago to San Francisco?

Once you have performed a search for Chicago to San Francisco flights, momondo helps you find the right one by offering useful filters to narrow down your flight selection. Flights can be filtered by multiple factors such as airline, airport and price; but also by other criteria like aircraft type and payment method.

I’m not ready to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

If you are not ready to book a flight from Chicago to San Francisco now, use our insights above to find helpful tips or alternatively set up a price alert, where momondo will track prices on flights to San Francisco and let you know when they change.

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Cheap flights from Chicago to San Francisco from $126

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco departing on 3/6. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Frontier flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Our best Frontier deals on Chicago to San Francisco flight tickets

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Our best Delta deals on Chicago to San Francisco flight tickets

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Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Chicago to San Francisco that are best for you.

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Chicago to San Francisco

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

What is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco?

If you aren’t able to travel to San Francisco during the month of July, then flying in September is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of $288.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to San Francisco?

The cheapest day to depart from Chicago to San Francisco is on a Thursday when prices can be found for as low as $352. The most expensive day to fly to San Francisco is Sunday, with ticket prices averaging around $544.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to San Francisco?

Our data shows that the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to San Francisco in the evening for as low as $379. Flights in the afternoon are often more expensive with an average ticket price of $504.

What is the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco flight route?

Fly from Chicago Midway to San Francisco for the best Chicago - San Francisco flight prices

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

What cabin class options are available on Chicago to San Francisco flights?

There are 4 cabin classes available to choose from on Chicago to San Francisco flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Chicago to San Francisco flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Chicago to San Francisco flights are approximately 125% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Chicago to San Francisco?

Southwest, United Airlines, and Delta are the most popular carriers operating from Chicago to San Francisco

What airlines fly to San Francisco?

How often are flights from Chicago to San Francisco delayed?

Historically, on average around 19% of flights between Chicago and San Francisco have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 169 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Chicago to San Francisco flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Tuesday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Sunday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Chicago to San Francisco flights?

According to our data, United Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 17% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between Chicago and San Francisco?

San Diego (SAN) was the most common stop: 73% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from Chicago to San Francisco?

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $130.

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from Chicago to San Francisco?

Flights connecting via Phoenix (PHX) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 7h 23m.

Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from Chicago to San Francisco?

Detroit (DTW) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 48m.

How many flights depart from Chicago to San Francisco on average per day?

The number of flights available between Chicago and San Francisco is 57 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 5:00PM, with 47% of daily flights leaving in the afternoon.

How many flights depart from Chicago to San Francisco on average per week?

402 flights are operational weekly from Chicago to San Francisco as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 16% of flights per week taking off on this day.

When to book flights from Chicago to San Francisco

Cheap Chicago to San Francisco (CHI to SFO) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Chicago to San Francisco

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in San Francisco

How far is Chicago to San Francisco by plane?

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

How old do you have to be to fly from Chicago to San Francisco Airport?

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to San Francisco Airport?

What is the most popular plane model from Chicago to San Francisco?

What is the most popular airline from Chicago to San Francisco?

Best airlines flying from Chicago to San Francisco

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Chicago to San Francisco with momondo

Southwest Flights From Chicago to San Francisco

United Airlines Flights From Chicago to San Francisco

Traveling to a place near San Francisco?

Why use momondo?