Flying from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Begin your trip planning by looking up the ideal departure point for your flight from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore the options for setting off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), two of the city's main airports.
Hop on a direct Chicago to San Francisco International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 4 hours 45 minutes.
San Francisco is two hours behind Chicago. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, which is in the UTC-7 timezone.
The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 104 direct services every week. If you're looking to take off without delay, the earliest flight from ORD to SFO is the 6am United Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 10pm with United Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are tried-and-true travel tips. Be at the airport with enough time to board your flight from Chicago to SFO.
During high season, expect extended wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Fly without interruptions from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Nonstop flights from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are available from here.
At ORD, you'll find a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport, such as:
United Airlines is the airline with the highest number of bookings for flights from ORD to SFO.
Among carriers operating on this route, United Airlines leads the way for on-time arrivals.
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of the departures from O'Hare International Airport, 74.85% arrive on time at their destination.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Planning to leave from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)? Direct Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flight tickets can be booked from here.
From MDW, direct flights from Chicago to SFO are offered by Southwest Airlines.
On the MDW to SFO route, Southwest Airlines is the preferred choice of many.
Flights between Chicago Midway International Airport and San Francisco International Airport see fewer delays with Southwest Airlines compared to other carriers.
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in about 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 20 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Chicago to SFO flight? Unwind in a hotel near Chicago Midway International Airport before your holiday officially starts. These stays have your key waiting:
77.88% of all departures from Chicago Midway International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
The journey to RFD from central Chicago is around 4 hours 15 minutes by public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 1 hour 25 minutes to cover the 137 kilometres or so.
Skip the rush on your departure day — stay near Chicago Rockford International Airport and know you'll be at your gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Chicago to San Francisco International Airport flight:
Flights that depart from RFD arrive at their destination within the scheduled time frame 76.19% of the time.
The address of Chicago Rockford International Airport is 2 Airport Cir.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Grab a San Francisco International Airport rental car and discover San Francisco and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular outlets you can book with here.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride around one week ahead of your Chicago to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
The centre of San Francisco is around 18 kilometres from San Francisco International Airport. Journey times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions and time of day, so do some research before your trip.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, Rs22,909 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs46,466. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Chicago to SFO. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest Chicago to San Francisco International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
You don't need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when a lower fare pops up on flight tickets from Chicago to SFO.
Discover the best deal on a flight from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is when most people book flights from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Plan your visit to San Francisco in February for a more laid-back experience.
When booking your Chicago to SFO flight ticket, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 22ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC and 16ºC.
More about San Francisco
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to San Francisco International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Francisco:
Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies - Alamo Square are a couple of popular attractions to put on your San Francisco to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen San Francisco. Around 257 kilometres away to the east, check out popular attractions including Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Sacramento is another standout destination in the United States and is around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco. No journey is complete without a visit to Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
