$90 Cheap Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (ORD)

Popular airlines from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)

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Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago (SFO-ORD)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $90 for one-way flights and $188 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

American Airlines
United
United
United
Alaska Airlines
United
United
United
Southwest Airlines
Delta

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (ORD)

August is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $138 - $236 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Chicago

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

Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (ORD)
Origin airport
San Francisco Intl.
Destination airport
O'Hare Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$188
Distance
1842 mi
Average flight time
6 hours 18 mins

San Francisco to Chicago Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Francisco to Chicago

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 San Francisco to Chicago are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago: 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 San Francisco to Chicago

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 San Francisco to Chicago in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $90 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 San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago 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.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) cost?
You can score cheap return fares from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) starting at $171. Book your seat and start your adventure. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving SFO on July 2 2025 and touching down at ORD. The price was last updated on June 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SFO to ORD?
The cheapest flights from SFO to ORD are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Avoid the layovers and fly direct to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) with 3 carriers, including:
  • United Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines

What is the cheapest airline that flies from SFO to ORD?
Currently, the cheapest carrier operating one-way flights from SFO to ORD is United. You can book a seat on this route from $86. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SFO on August 31 2025. Prices were last updated on June 24 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
When flying out of San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO), you can pick from an average of 10 daily direct flights to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
The 11 PM departures from SFO to ORD are typically the busiest. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you want to save on your fare, pick a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from SFO to ORD?
Sunday has the most flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD). Consider taking off on this day and you'll have a greater chance of finding a departure that fits your itinerary.
What is the earliest flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
The earliest flight leaving San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is at around 5:20AM UTC-8. Catch this flight and you'll reach O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) at approximately 11:36AM UTC-6. The total time in the air is 4h 16m.
How long does it take to fly from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
The average flight duration from SFO to ORD is 4 hours and 23 minutes, covering a total distance of 1,850 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SFO to ORD?
With 81% of journeys generally arriving on time, United Airlines has the best on-time performance for nonstop flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD). To check your flight status and receive notifications if anything changes, head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Choose a flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations. Later departures are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**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.
What airports do you fly into for Chicago from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Catch a direct flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Chicago and arrive at O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD). An alternative entry point into this destination is Midway Intl. Airport (MDW).
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from SFO to ORD are generally more expensive. For the best rates, start looking for flights well in advance. That being said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, you may find a cheap fare right before your journey.
Is it cheaper to book a SFO to ORD flight and hotel package?
You'll generally save money by securing a SFO to ORD flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage it all in one convenient place. Once you've chosen your preferred flights and accommodations, you can add extras such as tours, car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Usually, it's possible to reschedule or cancel your SFO to ORD flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Check your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and if any costs are involved. You'll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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