Travelling from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Chicago: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 4 hours 35 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago.
Chicago is two hours ahead of Sacramento, where Sacramento International Airport is located. Chicago runs on the UTC-6 timezone.
The most popular route is from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Choose from 23 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SMF to ORD is the 07:00 United Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 23:59 with American Airlines.
To avoid missing your SMF to Chicago flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Start your journey at SMF and fly straight to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Sacramento International Airport to Chicago tickets.
Well-known carriers that operate direct flights from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago include:
Travelling from central Sacramento to SMF takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Sacramento International Airport has an excellent on-time record, so flight disruptions are less likely. Departures from SMF make it to their destination as scheduled 81% of the time.
SMF is located at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Chicago
R 1,453 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Sacramento International Airport to Chicago flight. A round-trip ticket right now is R 2,707. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from SMF to Chicago. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Scoring cheap tickets from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' tool to get the best prices across the month and bag an awesome deal.
Finding a cheap flight from SMF to Chicago is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Snag an affordable flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is roughly 27 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It takes around 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago. Check in to one of these accommodation options near ORD instead:
Get the best deal by reserving your ride from Chicago O'Hare International Airport around four weeks before your flight from SMF to Chicago.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Central Chicago is around 16 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Once your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 25 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 30 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near MDW. Unwind and get cosy after your SMF to Chicago flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at MDW can get you a lower rate.
You can find Chicago Midway International Airport at 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is around 145 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to reach the city centre by car once you've stepped off your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago.
Public transport can take you there in about 2 hours.
Book a hotel near RFD and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you're coming in on a late SMF to Chicago flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these accommodation options put comfort right within reach:
Rental companies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so reserve your ride from RFD a few weeks ahead of your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Chicago Rockford International Airport can be found at 2 Airport Cir.
Best time to go to Chicago
January is the quietest month for flights from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Chicago based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Sacramento International Airport to Chicago plane ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. July is the warmest month in Chicago, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SMF to Chicago around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Chicago, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park and Willis Tower are popular attractions which should feature on every Chicago itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Columbus is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored after you've experienced Chicago. Around 451 kilometres away to the southeast, popular attractions include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Whetstone Park / Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre.
Around 257 kilometres southeast of Chicago, Indianapolis is another favourite stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.