Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD): what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-6, making Chicago two hours ahead of San Francisco.
Take your pick of 116 weekly San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport flights. The 00:08 departure with United Airlines is the earliest you can take. American Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 23:59.
Your SFO to ORD flight won't wait if you're late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're flying internationally.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
Flying into Chicago (and then discovering more of the United States!) is a breeze with United. This popular airline has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
The majority of passengers choose to travel with United on this route.
American Airlines ranks as the top on-time carrier for SFO to ORD flights, with 85.97% of its services landing as scheduled.
We make it simple to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to visit the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between SFO and ORD include:
Denver International Airport
Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport
Palm Springs International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Currently, R 1,442 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is R 3,664. Bear in mind that fares may change due to demand when booking.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from SFO to ORD if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird discounts.
The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible dates.
Landing cheap flights from SFO to ORD is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Find the perfect flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Of all flights leaving San Francisco International Airport, 78% land on time at their destination.
San Francisco International Airport is about 21 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Taking public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
Need a convenient hotel close to SFO? If you're boarding an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The last thing you need is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're landing late on a San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Chicago O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget to explore Chicago and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport about four weeks before your travel date.
When to fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The quietest month for a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport is March, while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Chicago based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
Before locking in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, think about the type of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with the temperature ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to ORD in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
Explore more of the United States
Columbus is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Chicago. Around 451 kilometres away to the south-east, its best attractions include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Whetstone Park / Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Around 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago, Indianapolis is another essential stop in the United States. Start your sightseeing at Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
