$143 Cheap Flights from Chicago (MDW) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

View $143 flight on Wed, Oct 29, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara (MDW-SBA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $143 for one-way flights and $290 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Tue, Oct 28 - Wed, Nov 5
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$290 Roundtrip, just found
$290
Roundtrip
just found
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $290 just found
Delta
Wed, Nov 19 - Tue, Dec 9
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$292 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$292
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, Nov 19 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Tue, Dec 9, priced at $292 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Oct 28 - Wed, Nov 5
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$305 Roundtrip, just found
$305
Roundtrip
just found
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $305 just found
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Tue, Nov 18
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$307 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$307
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Tue, Nov 18, priced at $307 found 2 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Oct 28 - Wed, Nov 5
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$310 Roundtrip, just found
$310
Roundtrip
just found
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $310 just found
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Tue, Nov 18
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$312 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$312
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Tue, Nov 18, priced at $312 found 2 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Tue, Nov 18
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$317 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$317
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Tue, Nov 18, priced at $317 found 2 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Nov 13 - Tue, Nov 18
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$323 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$323
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Nov 13 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Tue, Nov 18, priced at $323 found 2 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Oct 28 - Wed, Nov 5
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$325 Roundtrip, just found
$325
Roundtrip
just found
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $325 just found
Delta
Wed, Nov 19 - Wed, Dec 10
MDW
Chicago
SBA
Santa Barbara
$325 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$325
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, Nov 19 from Chicago to Santa Barbara, returning Wed, Dec 10, priced at $325 found 1 day ago

Alternative airports near Santa Barbara

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Santa Barbara Municipal SBA. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 12 minutes. Flights from $516
SBA
Santa Barbara Municipal
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center12 min
Flights from $516

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) cost?
Secure a cheap one-way flight from $143 or cheap return flight from $290 from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
The cheapest month to fly from MDW to SBA is October, when demand is low. Off-peak months are usually when you'll find cheap fares for travel between these airports.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Use the filters on Expedia to compare airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll fly you from MDW to SBA. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to score the best deal available.
How many flights per day from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
There aren't any daily direct flights available from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). But you can book flights with layovers. Filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops, and you'll be soaring above the clouds before you know it.
What day of the week has the most flights from MDW to SBA?
You'll generally find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays are often the busiest.* However this can change from season to season and during public holidays or peak travel times.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
To reach Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) on time, opt for a flight that leaves from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from MDW to SBA are usually more expensive. To secure the lowest rates, start searching for flights well in advance. That being said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, you may score a cheap ticket just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a MDW to SBA flight and hotel package?
You can save money by securing a MDW to SBA flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's simple to manage everything in one convenient place. Once you've chosen your ideal flights and accommodations, consider adding extras like activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
If you reserved your MDW to SBA flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal for more details.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Midway Intl.
Destination airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Airlines serving
Delta, Southwest Airlines
Roundtrip price
$290
Distance
1805 mi

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Chicago to Santa Barbara Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago to Santa Barbara

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Chicago to Santa Barbara in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $143 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Chicago to Santa Barbara flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Chicago to Santa Barbara airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Chicago to Santa Barbara Flights

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*Available to One Key members.