Traveling from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chicago: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago is 4 hours 22 minutes.
The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5. The city is 2 hours ahead of San Diego, where San Diego International Airport is located.
The most popular route is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Take your pick of 79 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SAN to ORD is the 06:15 United option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 22:59 with American Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from SAN to Chicago, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Going away during a peak time like July? High seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can easily add another hour at check-in and security. Be extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can catch a direct flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago that arrives at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from San Diego International Airport to Chicago include:
You don't need your passport or a visa to travel within United States. You will need a valid identity document though, like an ID card or driver's license. Make sure they're on your packing list after booking your cheap tickets from San Diego International Airport to Chicago.
Located around 5 kilometers from the center of San Diego, SAN can be reached in approximately 9 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near SAN? If you're boarding an early flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chicago
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Diego International Airport to Chicago is $79. The cheapest price for a return flight is $158. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 9 months before you want to travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from SAN to Chicago.
Organize your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from San Diego International Airport to Chicago. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from SAN to Chicago is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from San Diego International Airport to Chicago.
Airports in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is about 35 minutes by car. It's approximately 40 kilometers away.
It takes roughly 54 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Central Chicago is around 19 kilometers from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). As soon as your flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 21 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take around 46 minutes.
There are some great places to call home for the night near MDW. Unwind and get cozy after your flight from SAN to Chicago at any of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Chicago
August is the busiest month to hop on a flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to visit Chicago, consider whether you like a lively atmosphere or a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with the temperature ranging between 15ºC and 29ºC. Lock in your flights from San Diego International Airport to Chicago in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Look for cheap flights from SAN to Chicago around that time if you like traveling in cooler conditions.
More about Chicago
Start your Chicago trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are leading attractions which should be on any good Chicago itinerary.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from San Diego International Airport to Chicago to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to know about car rentals in Chicago, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.
