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

Flights via Las Vegas (LAS) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $218.

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

Denver (DEN) was the most common stop: 33% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

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 181 minutes.

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

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 365 per week as of December 2025. The most frequent departure day is Wed, with 19% of weekly flights leaving on this day.

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 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?

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

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.

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 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.

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

52 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of December 2025. The most popular departure time for this route is 6:00AM, with 44% of flights per day taking off at noon.

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.

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 December 2025, 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.

$123 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago in 2025/26

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7:00 am - 7:54 pm

SFO

ORD

10h 54m1 stop

2:06 pm - 9:58 pm

ORD

SFO

9h 52m2 stops

$274Alaska Airlines

Wed, Dec 17 - Sun, Jan 18

12:10 am - 11:06 am

SFO

MDW

8h 56m1 stop

1:49 pm - 8:59 pm

MDW

SFO

9h 10m1 stop

$275Delta

Thu, Dec 25 - Fri, Jan 9

9:10 am - 5:59 pm

SFO

ORD

6h 49m1 stop

11:46 am - 2:37 pm

ORD

SFO

4h 51mnonstop

$275American Airlines

Thu, Jan 15 - Tue, Jan 20

6:00 am - 12:25 pm

SFO

ORD

4h 25mnonstop

3:10 pm - 8:10 pm

ORD

SFO

7h 00m1 stop

$276American Airlines

Mon, Jan 12 - Thu, Jan 15

5:45 am - 11:45 am

SFO

MDW

4h 00mnonstop

8:10 am - 2:55 pm

MDW

SFO

8h 45m2 stops

$276Southwest

Sat, Dec 27 - Tue, Jan 6

2:00 pm - 9:50 pm

SFO

MDW

5h 50m1 stop

8:15 am - 11:15 am

MDW

SFO

5h 00mnonstop

$277Southwest

Fri, Jan 9 - Sun, Jan 11

11:40 am - 10:35 pm

SFO

ORD

8h 55m2 stops

1:00 pm - 9:15 pm

ORD

SFO

10h 15m2 stops

$277Southwest

Wed, Dec 17 - Wed, Jan 7

11:05 pm - 5:27 am

SFO

ORD

4h 22mnonstop

11:05 am - 2:07 pm

ORD

SFO

5h 02mnonstop

$279United Airlines

Thu, Dec 25 - Sat, Jan 10

11:05 pm - 5:27 am

SFO

ORD

4h 22mnonstop

6:47 am - 9:40 am

ORD

SFO

4h 53mnonstop

$281United Airlines

Wed, Dec 31 - Wed, Jan 7

8:44 am - 9:58 pm

SFO

ORD

11h 14m1 stop

9:38 pm - 9:16 am

ORD

SFO

13h 38m1 stop

$283Frontier

Fri, Feb 27 - Sun, Mar 15

American Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

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

American Airlines

Jan 15

SFO9:10 amSan Francisco

6h 49m

1 stop

ORD5:59 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 20

ORD11:46 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 51m

SFO2:37 pmSan Francisco

$275

Find similar

American Airlines

Jan 12

SFO6:00 amSan Francisco

4h 25m

ORD12:25 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 15

ORD3:10 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

7h 00m

1 stop

SFO8:10 pmSan Francisco

$276

Find similar

American Airlines

Jan 1

SFO11:59 pmSan Francisco

6h 41m

1 stop

ORD8:40 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Feb 9

ORD7:40 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 54m

SFO10:34 pmSan Francisco

$284

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United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

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

United Airlines

Dec 25

SFO11:05 pmSan Francisco

4h 22m

ORD5:27 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 10

ORD11:05 amChicago O'Hare Intl

5h 02m

SFO2:07 pmSan Francisco

$279

Find similar

United Airlines

Dec 31

SFO11:05 pmSan Francisco

4h 22m

ORD5:27 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 7

ORD6:47 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 53m

SFO9:40 amSan Francisco

$281

Find similar

United Airlines

Dec 25

SFO11:05 pmSan Francisco

4h 22m

ORD5:27 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Jan 9

ORD12:45 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 50m

SFO3:35 pmSan Francisco

$297

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Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 12/17

7:00 am-7:54 pm

1 stop10h 54m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 1/18

2:06 pm-9:58 pm

2 stops9h 52m

$274

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Thu 12/25

12:10 am-11:06 am

1 stop8h 56m

Chicago Midway

Fri 1/9

1:49 pm-8:59 pm

1 stop9h 10m

$275

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Thu 1/15

9:10 am-5:59 pm

1 stop6h 49m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 1/20

11:46 am-2:37 pm

Nonstop4h 51m

$275

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 1/12

6:00 am-12:25 pm

Nonstop4h 25m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 1/15

3:10 pm-8:10 pm

1 stop7h 00m

$276

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Sat 12/27

5:45 am-11:45 am

Nonstop4h 00m

Chicago Midway

Tue 1/6

8:10 am-2:55 pm

2 stops8h 45m

$276

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - MDW

SFOMDW

San Francisco

Fri 1/9

2:00 pm-9:50 pm

1 stop5h 50m

Chicago Midway

Sun 1/11

8:15 am-11:15 am

Nonstop5h 00m

$277

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 12/17

11:40 am-10:35 pm

2 stops8h 55m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 1/7

1:00 pm-9:15 pm

2 stops10h 15m

$277

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Thu 12/25

11:05 pm-5:27 am

Nonstop4h 22m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 1/10

11:05 am-2:07 pm

Nonstop5h 02m

$279

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 12/31

11:05 pm-5:27 am

Nonstop4h 22m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 1/7

6:47 am-9:40 am

Nonstop4h 53m

$281

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 2/27

8:44 am-9:58 pm

1 stop11h 14m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 3/15

9:38 pm-9:16 am

1 stop13h 38m

$283

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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 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 $282. 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 $403. 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 $501.

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 afternoon. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $410. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $463.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago Midway 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 $372 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 $293 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?

You could potentially save up to 19% on your flight if you consider stops on a San Francisco to Chicago flight.

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

As of December 2025, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 94% 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	$168
Fastest flight time	3h 55m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Chicago	2 airports

The best one-way flight to Chicago from San Francisco in the past 72 hours is $168. The best round-trip flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $342.

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

Direct flights go from San Francisco to Chicago every day.

There are 2 airports near Chicago: 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 4h 00m 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 December 2025, 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 18.92% of the total bookings. Other popular models include Boeing 757-300 with 17.39%, Boeing 737-800 with 15.91%, and Boeing 737-900 with 10.88%.
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 9%, 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 2,815 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
Frontier	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.8 3,092 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Delta	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 8,010 reviews	Search Delta flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $133	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 9,066 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $185	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,254 reviews	Search Southwest flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $196	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 11,400 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $197	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.2 11,044 reviews	Search American Airlines flights

Southwest Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
The lowest priced Southwest flight from San Francisco to Chicago from the last 72 hours was $185. Generally, Southwest has 5 flights on this route every week with an average price of $352. Southwest is rated 8.0/10 by our users.
United Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago
United Airlines is also a popular choice for this route. United Airlines flight deals for San Francisco to Chicago start from as low as $133 round-trip, depending on your selected dates, with average United Airlines deals seen on momondo around $408. United Airlines operates 36 flights to Chicago from San Francisco in an average week. Users have rated it 7.4/10 across 9,066 reviews.

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Porter

Griffith

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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Find better results for your trip to the United States

Fly into one of these airports located in Chicago

Chicago Midway Airport

Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

Chicago Greater Rockford Airport

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Flights to San Franciscofrom $49

Flights to Las Vegasfrom $40

Flights to Washington, D.C.from $41

Flights to Bostonfrom $57

Flights to Atlantafrom $49

Flights to Dallasfrom $51

Flights to Seattlefrom $56

Flights to Denverfrom $48

Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago departing on 1/15. 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

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 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 afternoon. Flights from San Francisco to Chicago during this time can be as low as $410. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $463.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago Midway 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?

You could potentially save up to 19% on your flight if you consider stops on a San Francisco to Chicago flight.

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

As of December 2025, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 94% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

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

United Airlines, Delta, and Southwest 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 181 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?

Denver (DEN) was the most common stop: 33% 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 Las Vegas (LAS) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $218.

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?

52 flights are operational daily from San Francisco to Chicago as of December 2025. The most popular departure time for this route is 6:00AM, with 44% 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 365 per week as of December 2025. The most frequent departure day is Wed, with 19% 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

Southwest Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

United Airlines Flights From San Francisco to Chicago

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Why use momondo?