Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport is 4 hours 20 minutes.
Chicago's timezone is UTC-5, making Chicago two hours ahead of San Francisco.
You can choose from 137 weekly San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport flights. The 00:12 departure with United Airlines is the earliest flight available. American Airlines operates the last service of the day at 23:59.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your SFO to ORD flight.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
With direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport available through a range of airlines, getting to Chicago (and then other parts of United States) is easy. You can fly nonstop with:
American Airlines is the airline most travellers choose to fly with on this route.
American Airlines is a leader in on-time performance for SFO to ORD flights, with 82.58% of its services landing on schedule.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Here's where you can stop between SFO and ORD:
Denver International Airport
Eppley Airfield Airport
Palm Springs International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport flight is R 1,020. A round-trip ticket right now is R 2,199. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Book six months before travelling. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from SFO to ORD.
May is the cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport. If you're looking to fly at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest airfares for every month.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from SFO to ORD is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a new deal comes up.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% of flights arrive within the expected timeframe.
Central San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport is approximately 21 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
The trip when using public transport usually takes 45 minutes.
Taking an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near SFO:
Arriving at O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The last thing you need is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're getting in late on a San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport flight. Stay at one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up an O'Hare International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of Chicago and beyond.
Booking your ride from O'Hare International Airport about four weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
Getting from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
O'Hare International Airport is approximately 40 kilometres from the centre of Chicago. The drive time takes around 35 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes about 55 minutes.
When to fly to O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
August is the busiest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport. To skip the crowds, go to Chicago in January.
Book your flight from San Francisco International Airport to O'Hare International Airport for July if you want to visit Chicago during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 15ºC (59ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to ORD in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
Explore more of United States
Chicago has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of United States waiting to be discovered. Around 451 kilometres south-east of Chicago, a visit to Columbus will keep you busy. Start with leading attractions like Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Ohio Statehouse and German Village.
If you're interested in discovering another well-known destination in United States, consider Indianapolis, about 257 kilometres south-east of Chicago. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Indianapolis Zoo are among its highlights.
