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

Minneapolis (MSP) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 00m.

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

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

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

Orlando (MCO) was the most common stop: 50% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

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

Flights connecting via Minneapolis (MSP) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 6h 15m.

What airlines fly to Chicago?

United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Chicago from San Francisco 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 Chicago. Keep in mind that there are 8 different airlines that fly to Chicago on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

How often are flights from San Francisco to Chicago delayed?

Historically, on average around 10% of flights between San Francisco and Chicago have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 182 minutes.

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

Flights via Minneapolis (MSP) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $261.

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

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 305 per week as of January 2026. The most frequent departure day is Thu, with 20% of weekly flights leaving on this day.

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

According to our data, United Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 9% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

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

43 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of January 2026. The most popular departure time for this route is 6:00AM, with 45% of flights per day taking off at noon.

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

Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago are updated daily.

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

As of January 2026, there are 7 operators available to choose from for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.

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

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

$124 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago in 2026

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Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

11:25 pm - 5:30 am

SFO

MDW

4h 05mnonstop

4:05 pm - 10:35 pm

MDW

SFO

8h 30m2 stops

$252Southwest

Fri, Mar 13 - Mon, Mar 16

10:36 am - 5:05 pm

SFO

ORD

4h 29mnonstop

9:00 pm - 11:58 pm

ORD

SFO

4h 58mnonstop

$252American Airlines

Wed, Mar 11 - Tue, Jun 9

8:48 am - 11:14 pm

SFO

ORD

12h 26m1 stop

4:42 pm - 9:39 pm

ORD

SFO

30h 57m1 stop

$253Frontier

Thu, Feb 12 - Mon, Feb 16

8:05 pm - 8:52 am

SFO

MDW

10h 47m2 stops

12:45 pm - 7:56 pm

MDW

SFO

9h 11m1 stop

$253Delta

Mon, Jan 26 - Thu, Feb 12

10:54 pm - 8:52 am

SFO

MDW

7h 58m1 stop

9:53 am - 5:49 pm

MDW

SFO

9h 56m2 stops

$254Delta

Sun, Feb 1 - Wed, Feb 4

8:25 am - 2:53 pm

SFO

ORD

4h 28mnonstop

7:58 pm - 11:00 pm

ORD

SFO

5h 02mnonstop

$255United Airlines

Sat, Feb 7 - Sat, Feb 7

6:39 pm - 11:22 am

SFO

ORD

14h 43m2 stops

9:00 am - 5:54 pm

ORD

SFO

10h 54m1 stop

$256Multiple Airlines

Mon, Jan 26 - Mon, Feb 9

6:15 am - 9:12 pm

SFO

MDW

12h 57m2 stops

6:00 am - 9:39 pm

MDW

SFO

17h 39m1 stop

$257Frontier

Thu, Feb 12 - Sun, Feb 15

2:08 pm - 11:22 am

SFO

ORD

19h 14m2 stops

9:00 am - 5:54 pm

ORD

SFO

10h 54m1 stop

$259Multiple Airlines

Tue, Jan 20 - Thu, Jan 22

3:00 pm - 9:38 pm

SFO

ORD

4h 38mnonstop

9:20 pm - 12:19 am

ORD

SFO

4h 59mnonstop

$261United Airlines

Fri, Apr 17 - Mon, Apr 27

Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Alaska Airlines deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Alaska Airlines

Jan 30

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

14h 37m

1 stop

ORD11:37 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Feb 1

ORD2:06 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

7h 37m

1 stop

SFO7:43 pmSan Francisco

$263

Alaska Airlines

Apr 7

SFO6:35 amSan Francisco

10h 27m

1 stop

ORD7:02 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Apr 8

ORD2:09 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

10h 18m

2 stops

SFO10:27 pmSan Francisco

$275

Alaska Airlines

Jan 26

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

29h 29m

1 stop

ORD2:29 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 31

ORD3:44 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

9h 03m

1 stop

SFO10:47 pmSan Francisco

$289

Delta flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Delta deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Delta

Jan 26

SFO8:05 pmSan Francisco

10h 47m

2 stops

MDW8:52 amChicago Midway

Feb 12

MDW12:45 pmChicago Midway

9h 11m

1 stop

SFO7:56 pmSan Francisco

$253

Delta

Feb 27

SFO8:10 pmSan Francisco

11h 31m

2 stops

ORD9:41 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Mar 15

ORD7:05 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

6h 46m

1 stop

SFO11:51 pmSan Francisco

$254

Delta

Apr 16

SFO1:10 pmSan Francisco

17h 37m

2 stops

MDW8:47 amChicago Midway

Apr 28

MDW1:10 pmChicago Midway

12h 49m

2 stops

SFO11:59 pmSan Francisco

$255

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Fri 3/13

11:25 pm-5:30 am

Nonstop4h 05m

Chicago Midway

Mon 3/16

4:05 pm-10:35 pm

2 stops8h 30m

$252

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 3/11

10:36 am-5:05 pm

Nonstop4h 29m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 6/9

9:00 pm-11:58 pm

Nonstop4h 58m

$252

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Thu 2/12

8:48 am-11:14 pm

1 stop12h 26m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 2/16

4:42 pm-9:39 pm

1 stop30h 57m

$253

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Mon 1/26

8:05 pm-8:52 am

2 stops10h 47m

Chicago Midway

Thu 2/12

12:45 pm-7:56 pm

1 stop9h 11m

$253

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Sun 2/1

10:54 pm-8:52 am

1 stop7h 58m

Chicago Midway

Wed 2/4

9:53 am-5:49 pm

2 stops9h 56m

$254

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sat 2/7

8:25 am-2:53 pm

Nonstop4h 28m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 2/7

7:58 pm-11:00 pm

Nonstop5h 02m

$255

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 1/26

6:39 pm-11:22 am

2 stops14h 43m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 2/9

9:00 am-5:54 pm

1 stop10h 54m

$256

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Thu 2/12

6:15 am-9:12 pm

2 stops12h 57m

Chicago Midway

Sun 2/15

6:00 am-9:39 pm

1 stop17h 39m

$257

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Tue 1/20

2:08 pm-11:22 am

2 stops19h 14m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 1/22

9:00 am-5:54 pm

1 stop10h 54m

$259

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 4/17

3:00 pm-9:38 pm

Nonstop4h 38m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 4/27

9:20 pm-12:19 am

Nonstop4h 59m

$261

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

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 typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

The month of February is, on average, the cheapest month to fly to Chicago from San Francisco, with most prices found around $287. If you’re not able to fly to Chicago in February, then September is your next best option. Flight prices from San Francisco to Chicago during September average around $291.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

The cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago is on a Wednesday when prices can be found for as low as $404. This is often the case because there is less demand to fly during this day of the week. When flying out on a Sunday, the most expensive travel day of the week, you can expect to see flight prices from San Francisco to Chicago for around $496.

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

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Chicago is in the evening. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $409. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $460.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Chicago from San Francisco when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Chicago for around $376 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Chicago from San Francisco for as low as $302 on momondo.

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

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

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between San Francisco to Chicago.

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

As of January 2026, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 10% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

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

Estimated round-trip price

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

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

Best Price Found	$190
Fastest flight time	3h 55m
Direct flights	Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun
Airports in Chicago	3 airports

The best one-way flight to Chicago from San Francisco in the past 72 hours is $190. The best round-trip flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $371.

The fastest flight from San Francisco to Chicago takes 3h 55m

Direct flights go from San Francisco to Chicago on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The only airline offering direct flights is United Airlines.

There are 3 airports in Chicago. From San Francisco there are direct flights to Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD), Chicago Midway (MDW).

Search flight deals

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?
A flight from San Francisco to Chicago will travel around 1852.8 mi. Typically, this will take 3h 55m by plane in normal conditions.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
As of January 2026, there are 7 operators available to choose from for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.
How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?
The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.
What is the most popular plane model from San Francisco to Chicago?
Based on momondo bookings for flights between San Francisco and Chicago, the leading plane model is Airbus A321neo, making up 20.21% of the total bookings. Other popular models include Boeing 757-300 with 16.79%, Boeing 737-800 with 15.33%, and Boeing 777 with 9.93%.
What is the most popular airline from San Francisco to Chicago?
Based on momondo bookings for flights between San Francisco and Chicago, the leading airline is United Airlines, making up 41% of the total bookings. Other popular airlines include American Airlines with 37%, Alaska Airlines with 8%, and Frontier with 6%.

Best airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago

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

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Hawaiian Airlines	PriceFrom $108	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 2,824 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
Frontier	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.7 3,062 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Delta	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 8,025 reviews	Search Delta flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $133	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 9,139 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $185	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,250 reviews	Search Southwest flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $196	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 11,661 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $197	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.2 11,094 reviews	Search American Airlines flights

United Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
The lowest priced United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Chicago from the last 72 hours was $133. Generally, United Airlines has 47 flights on this route every week with an average price of $406. United Airlines is rated 7.4/10 by our users.
American Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
American Airlines is also a popular choice for this route. American Airlines flight deals for San Francisco to Chicago start from as low as $197 round-trip, depending on your selected dates, with average American Airlines deals seen on momondo around $344. American Airlines operates 7 flights to Chicago from San Francisco in an average week. Users have rated it 7.2/10 across 11,095 reviews.

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Porter

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Saint John

Why use momondo?

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

momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and agents so you can find and book the best deal on flights from San Francisco to Chicago. Millions of users trust and use momondo every year so you are in good hands.

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

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

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

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Chicago from San Francisco. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

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

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

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Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

Chicago Greater Rockford Airport

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Flights to Denverfrom $38

Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago from $124

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago departing on 2/3. 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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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

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

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Chicago is in the evening. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $409. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $460.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

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

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

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

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between San Francisco to Chicago.

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

As of January 2026, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 10% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

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

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

What airlines fly to Chicago?

How often are flights from San Francisco to Chicago delayed?

Historically, on average around 10% of flights between San Francisco and Chicago have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 182 minutes.

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

According to our data, United Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 9% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

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

Orlando (MCO) was the most common stop: 50% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

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

Flights via Minneapolis (MSP) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $261.

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

Flights connecting via Minneapolis (MSP) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 6h 15m.

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

Minneapolis (MSP) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 1h 00m.

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

43 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of January 2026. The most popular departure time for this route is 6:00AM, with 45% of flights per day taking off at noon.

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

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 305 per week as of January 2026. The most frequent departure day is Thu, with 20% of weekly flights leaving on this day.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

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

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

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Chicago

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?

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

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

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

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

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

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

Best airlines flying from San Francisco to Chicago

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

United Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

American Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Why use momondo?