$137 Cheap Flights from Chicago (ORD) to San José (SJO)

Popular airlines from Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Chicago to San José (ORD-SJO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $137 for one-way flights and $271 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Copa
Frontier Airlines
avianca
Southwest Airlines
Flights from Chicago (ORD) to San José (SJO)
Origin airport
O'Hare Intl.
Destination airport
Juan Santamaría Intl.
Airlines serving
Aeromexico, Air Canada, American Airlines, Copa, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United, avianca
Roundtrip price
$270
Distance
2220 mi

Chicago to San José Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago to San José

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 José are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Chicago to San José with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago to San José: 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 José

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 José in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $137 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 José 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 José 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 long does it take to fly from O'Hare Airport to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport?
Purchase a ticket with United Airlines and you can expect to be in the air for around 5 hours and 14 minutes. This top airline operates a direct flight that leaves at 7:41AM from O’Hare Airport and reaches Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport at 11:55AM. Expedia has some amazing flight deals, so take a look at what’s available on this route today.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from ORD to SJO last minute?
When it’s time to book your flights, it’s always better to be prepared. While it’s possible to pick up a last-minute deal on an O’Hare Airport to SJO flight, prices usually don’t get cheaper as the date of departure nears. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the sweet spot to lock in a domestic flight is between 28 – 35 days in advance. For international trips it’s three to four months.
What airline has the least delays from O'Hare Airport to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport?
Journey with United Airlines from O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to SJO and land at the time listed on your boarding card. This carrier leads the way on this route, with an on-time rate of 100%. If there is a delay to your flight, the free Expedia App is the ideal way to stay in the loop. Our handy app will give you real-time trip alerts, from flight delays to gate changes and baggage carousel numbers.
What airports do you fly into for San José from Chicago?
Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), Tobias Bolanos Intl. Airport (SYQ) and Puntarenas (JAP-Chacarita) are your choices when taking off from Chicago to San José. Approximately 10 mi northwest of the center of San José, Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) is the city’s major hub. Think about things such as flight departure and arrival times and the distance to your hotel before you select an airport. National Theater and National Park are two awesome attractions to check out when you arrive at your destination.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from O'Hare Airport to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)?
For United Airlines flights from ORD to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), the busiest period is between 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM. If you want to avoid holdups, head out in the morning. This gives you a better chance to dodge air traffic that builds up in the skyways later in the day.
Can I change the date of my flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to SJO?
It’s a snap to make changes to your O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) trip yourself. Simply go to the Expedia Trips portal and hit “change flight.” Look for new flights and secure the one that fits your plans. You’ll see an estimate of any flight change costs. You can also head to our Customer Service portal to connect with our Virtual Agent and get answers to all your questions.

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