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How to Travel from

San Francisco to Chicago

by Plane, Route or Car

San Francisco
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Chicago
Transport search to Chicago
San Francisco
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Chicago
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3430 km.
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Five ways to Travel from San Francisco to Chicago

Select an Option Below to Start Your Journey
Cheapest
Fastest
Other

Transport providers

Airlines

American Airlines

Website:
aa.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
4h 15m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$140.33–$574.06

Delta

Website:
delta.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
6h 45m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$216.87–$369.95
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
5h 54m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$153.08–$280.65
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
6h 10m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$191.35–$344.44

United Airlines

Website:
united.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
4h 23m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$178.60–$548.54
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
4h 15m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$216.87–$892.98

Frontier Airlines

Website:
flyfrontier.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
7h 24m
Frequency:
Wednesday
Estimated price:
$59.96–$293.41
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
6h 24m
Frequency:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Estimated price:
$82.92–$357.19
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
6h 30m
Frequency:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Estimated price:
$63.78–$280.65

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Website:
alaskaair.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
4h 12m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$140.33–$625.09

Southwest Airlines

Website:
southwest.com/
Plane from San Francisco International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
4h 7m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$176.62
Plane from Oakland International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
4h 5m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$165.58
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Midway
Ave. Duration:
4h 5m
Frequency:
Every day
Estimated price:
$204.11–$574.06
Plane from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
7h 52m
Frequency:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
Estimated price:
$153.08–$446.49

Train operators

Caltrain

Phone:
+1 800-660-4287
Website:
caltrain.com
Train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa
Ave. Duration:
1h 10m
Frequency:
Every 30 minutes
Estimated price:
$10.84–$14.03

Amtrak

Phone:
+1 800-872-7245
Website:
amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Richmond to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
2d 4h
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$216.87–$765.41

Bus operators

Greyhound USA

Phone:
+1 214-849-8100
Website:
greyhound.com/
Bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Sparks
Ave. Duration:
6h 10m
Frequency:
Twice daily
Estimated price:
$17.86–$153.08
Bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver
Ave. Duration:
21h 5m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$82.92–$484.76

Burlington Trailways

Phone:
+1 (319) 735-2864
Website:
burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Denver to Omaha
Ave. Duration:
9h 10m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$108.43–$216.87
Bus from Omaha to Chicago
Ave. Duration:
8h 25m
Frequency:
Once daily
Estimated price:
$95.68–$204.11

Questions and Answers

What is the cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Chicago?

The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Chicago is to fly which costs $59.78 - $271.74 and takes 6h 7m.

What is the fastest way to get from San Francisco to Chicago?

The fastest way to get from San Francisco to Chicago is to fly which takes 6h 7m and costs $59.78 - $271.74 .

Is there a direct bus between San Francisco and Chicago?

No, there is no direct bus from San Francisco station to Chicago. However, there are services departing from San Francisco Bus Station and arriving at Chicago via Sparks Transit Center, Denver and Omaha. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 0h.

Is there a direct train between San Francisco and Chicago?

No, there is no direct train from San Francisco to Chicago station. However, there are services departing from Civic Center / UN Plaza and arriving at Chicago Union Station via Richmond. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 5h.

Is there a direct flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

Yes, there are direct flights between San Francisco and Chicago; these take 4h 5m and cost $54.35 - $250 .

How far is it from San Francisco to Chicago?

The distance between San Francisco and Chicago is 3019 km. The road distance is 3430.6 km.

How do I travel from San Francisco to Chicago without a car?

The best way to get from San Francisco to Chicago without a car is to bus which takes 2 days 0h and costs $260.87 - $923.91 .

How long does it take to get from San Francisco to Chicago?

It takes approximately 6h 7m to get from San Francisco to Chicago, including transfers.

Where do I catch the San Francisco to Chicago bus from?

San Francisco to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from San Francisco Bus Station.

Where do I catch the San Francisco to Chicago train from?

San Francisco to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Richmond station.

Train, bus or fly from San Francisco to Chicago?

The best way to get from San Francisco to Chicago is to fly which takes 6h 7m and costs $59.78 - $271.74 . Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $260.87 - $923.91 and takes 2 days 0h, you could also train, which costs $184.78 - $706.52 and takes 2 days 5h.

Where does the San Francisco to Chicago bus arrive?

San Francisco to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Sparks Transit Center station.

What is the time difference between San Francisco and Chicago?

Chicago is 2h ahead of San Francisco. It is currently 08:04 in San Francisco and 10:04 in Chicago.

Where does the San Francisco to Chicago train arrive?

San Francisco to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.

Can I drive from San Francisco to Chicago?

Yes, the driving distance between San Francisco to Chicago is 3431 km. It takes approximately 32h 40m to drive from San Francisco to Chicago.

Where can I stay near Chicago?

There are 1249+ hotels available in Chicago. Prices start at $65.98 per night.
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