$99 Cheap Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (MDW)

Popular airlines from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago (SFO-MDW)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $99 for one-way flights and $183 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Delta
Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago (MDW)
Origin airport
San Francisco Intl.
Destination airport
Midway Intl.
Airlines serving
Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines
Roundtrip price
$182
Distance
1851 mi

San Francisco to Chicago Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Francisco to Chicago

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

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

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

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 San Francisco to Chicago in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $99 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 San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco Airport to MDW?
Frontier Airlines has a direct flight departing San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) at 3:58PM and reaching Midway Airport at 10:09PM — a travel time of 4 hours and 11 minutes. Select your favorite seat, bring a magazine to keep you amused and enjoy the ride.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from SFO to MDW last minute?
Booking your journey from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Chicago Airport last minute could save you a pretty penny if you’re lucky to find a real bargain. However, tickets usually don’t come down in price closer to the departure date. If you choose to wait, flights could also be booked up or the best seats gone (hello, middle seat!). If you’d rather play it safe, book well ahead of when you want to leave. In fact, some of the best deals are available on Expedia up to a year in advance. If your favorite carrier hasn’t released tickets yet, check back regularly as offers are updated on Expedia all the time.
What airports do you fly into for Chicago from San Francisco?
From San Francisco, you can journey to Chicago via Midway Intl. Airport (MDW), O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) and Lewis University Airport (LOT). Find out which hub works best for you before making your decision. If you pick Midway Intl. Airport (MDW), it’s about 9 mi southwest of the center of the city. Use the money you save when booking your trip with Expedia to visit the city’s popular sights, such as Wrigley Field and Millennium Park.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Midway Intl. Airport (MDW)?
For Frontier Airlines flights from San Francisco Airport to Midway Intl. Airport (MDW), the busiest time is between 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. If you want to avoid delays, fly in the morning. This gives you a better chance to dodge the air traffic that accumulates as the day goes by.
Can I change the date of my flight from San Francisco Airport to Midway Airport?
We know plans can change, so Expedia is here to help make things easier. First, access your San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to MDW itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and browse the fare rules about what sorts of changes are allowed. If you booked in the last 24 hours, some airlines will let you cancel at no cost and organize new flights. If you bought your ticket more than 24 hours ago, contact us via our Customer Service portal to learn more about your options.

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*Available to One Key members.