SFO - ORD

$188 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$418
Typical prices: $471-$768
United Airlines
Mon 17/12Fri 21/12
SFO - ORD • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$188
Typical prices: $254-$461
Delta
Fri 14/12
SFO - ORD • 1 stop
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, American Airlines, and Aer Lingus. Average duration is 4h 26m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 91% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 6 weeks in advance save around 38% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $391 (return)
Shortest trip • 6h 32m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to O'Hare Intl (SFO-ORD)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to O'Hare Intl

Thu, 17 Dec - Mon, 21 Dec
United Airlines Logo
23:30 - 05:56SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
4h 26mdirect
United Airlines Logo
21:51 - 00:59ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
5h 08mdirect
$418United Airlines
Tue, 10 Nov - Sun, 15 Nov
United Airlines Logo
16:10 - 22:29SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
4h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
06:00 - 08:44ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
4h 44mdirect
$420United Airlines
Thu, 3 Dec - Wed, 9 Dec
United Airlines Logo
14:17 - 20:40SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
4h 23mdirect
United Airlines Logo
12:40 - 15:33ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
4h 53mdirect
$423United Airlines
Fri, 29 Jan - Wed, 3 Feb
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:21 - 22:08SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
12h 47m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:00 - 19:35ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
13h 35m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Los Angeles
$424Alaska Airlines
Fri, 5 Feb - Tue, 9 Feb
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:04 - 22:08SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
10h 04m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
15:19 - 21:40ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
8h 21m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$427Alaska Airlines
Tue, 16 Feb - Sat, 20 Feb
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:00 - 17:01SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 01m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
14:54 - 23:59ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
11h 05m2 stops San Diego Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$435Alaska Airlines
Mon, 23 Nov - Tue, 1 Dec
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:57 - 20:03SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
7h 06m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:00 - 17:10ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
13h 10m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Los Angeles
$437Alaska Airlines
Fri, 4 Dec - Sun, 6 Dec
United Airlines Logo
23:40 - 05:59SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
4h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
08:45 - 11:36ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
4h 51mdirect
$441United Airlines
Tue, 24 Nov - Tue, 1 Dec
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:23 - 13:18SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
18h 55m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:00 - 15:16ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
11h 16m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Los Angeles
$443Alaska Airlines
Mon, 16 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:04 - 18:59SFO  San Francisco-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
9h 55m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:00 - 14:10ORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-SFO San Francisco
9h 10m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$444Alaska Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

Return flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport typically range from $471 to $768. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $418 on United Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport. It's 11% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 15% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport at $505 return.
•June ($673) and November ($645) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 33% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport are cheapest 6 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 38% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$188
Beat the crowds with an average 35% drop in travellers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 55% increase in travellers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

When to book flights from San Francisco to O'Hare Intl

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to O'Hare Intl based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 00:10 and lands at 04:36
    • Latest: departs at 23:52 and lands at 04:18.

    The flight takes about 4h 26m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport.

  • How long is a flight from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    A direct flight from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport takes 4h 26m, covering 4,767 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flight?

    Return flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport range from $471 to $768, with an average of $594 over the past 12 months. Anything below $471 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 40% above the $594 route average. Book 6 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $391 return via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), compared with $604 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $57–$142 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    The Boeing 737-800 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by American Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A321neo variants.

  • How are flight departures from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights, with 37% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 32%, Night flights for 21%, and Evening flights for 10%.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights?

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights:

    • American Airlines
    • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty programme, while others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

  • How are flight prices from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $216, which is 40% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD)?

    Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $24 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    • Europcar
    • Hertz
    • Ace
    • Dollar

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport route, 9% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 3h 03m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport most commonly connect through:

    • San Diego (SAN) – 26% of one-stop connections
    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) – 22% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) – 15% of one-stop connections
    • Salt Lake City (SLC) – 9% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 23% on flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $531 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $683, a difference of $152.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    3 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • American Airlines
    • Aer Lingus

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Flying via Salt Lake City (SLC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 6h 32m, compared to 7h 32m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 7h 49m via Portland (PDX).

  • What is the time difference between San Francisco and Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport is 2 hours ahead of San Francisco (Central Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport are River North, Millennium Park, and Chicago Water Tower. These are among the most viewed places in Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights?

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy class class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $531, about $152 less than Sunday fares (22% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 6 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 38% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport trip for February. Fares historically average $505 return in that month – typically $168 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with United Airlines. Over the past three months, 91% of United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 91%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 3h 03m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $391 return on this route – about $213 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines,Aer Lingus

American Airlines,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines,Aer Lingus

American Airlines,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Chicago O'Hare Intl to San Francisco

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to O'Hare Intl

Complete your trip to Chicago with a hotel stay or car hire