Cheap Flights from Chicago (ORD) to San Diego (SDM)

Popular airlines from Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal)

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Flights from Chicago (ORD) to San Diego (SDM)
Origin airport
O'Hare Intl.
Destination airport
Brown Field Municipal
Distance
1715 mi

Chicago to San Diego Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago to San Diego

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Chicago to San Diego are during the month of . You can find some of the cheapest flights from Chicago to San Diego with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Chicago to San Diego

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago to San Diego: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Chicago to San Diego

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Chicago to San Diego in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Chicago to San Diego flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Chicago to San Diego airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from ORD to SDM by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from ORD to SDM?
The cheapest flights from ORD to SDM are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from ORD to SDM?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from ORD to SDM. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal)?
You’ll need to catch a flight with a layover if you’re traveling from O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal). Direct flights don’t operate daily on this route. However, just filter your search to include one or more stops to find the best option for your trip.
What day of the week has the most flights from ORD to SDM?
Friday is typically the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday tends to be the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can vary based on a range of factors, such as the airline and season.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal)?
Select a flight from O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations. Departures after this hour have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Diego County from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Compare your flight options from O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). This is the only San Diego County airport you can land at if you’re taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal) last-minute?
Holding off until right before your break to book a ticket from ORD to SDM generally means paying more. While you might find some last-minute deals, they’re not always guaranteed. Be flexible with your travel plans to boost your chances of scoring a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book an ORD to SDM flight and hotel package?
You’ll typically save money by securing an ORD to SDM flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it’s easy to manage it all in one place. Once you’ve selected your ideal accommodations and flights, consider adding extras including tours, car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to San Diego, CA (SDM-Brown Field Municipal)?
If you reserved your ORD to SDM flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the fare type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal if you’d like more information.

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*Available to One Key members.