3 airlines fly nonstop from Chicago to San Francisco.
Checking today’s fares with the airlines.
| Airline | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | ORD O'Hare International Airport | SFO San Francisco International Airport |
| United Airlines | ORD O'Hare International Airport | SFO San Francisco International Airport |
| Southwest Airlines | MDW Midway International Airport | SFO San Francisco International Airport |
Nonstop service as of October 2026. Airlines change schedules seasonally.
12 miles (19 km) from the city centre. 54.5 million passengers in 2025
| How | Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | BART Yellow or Red Line from the International Terminal to downtown San Francisco stations | about 30m | regular BART fare plus a $5.51 airport surcharge |
Domestic travel within the United States: no passport or visa is needed, but adults must show a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID at airport security.
San Francisco is 2 hours behind Chicago. San Francisco uses the US dollar (USD).
Read the San Francisco guide: when to go, weather, airports and tips
Nonstop flight times vary by airline and season; flights with a connection take longer.
As of October 2026, American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines fly this route nonstop.
Nonstop flights leave from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW) and arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
About 1,855 miles (2,985 km), measured between the city centres.
San Francisco is 2 hours behind Chicago.
Domestic travel within the United States: no passport or visa is needed, but adults must show a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID at airport security.
BART Yellow or Red Line from the International Terminal to downtown San Francisco stations, about 30 minutes, regular BART fare plus a $5.51 airport surcharge.
Information checked in October 2026. Schedules, fares and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline or the official source before you travel.