ORD - SAN

Find cheap flights from Chicago to San Diego

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KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Diego

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Chicago to San Diego (ORD-SAN)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Chicago to San Diego that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from Chicago to San Diego

KAYAK's recommended return flight deals from the most popular airlines that fly from Chicago to San Diego.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
American Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
American Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
American Airlines
Find Deal
Qatar Airways Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 19mdirect
Qatar Airways Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
Qatar Airways
Find Deal
Air Canada Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 20mdirect
Air Canada Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
Air Canada
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Japan Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
Japan Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 18mdirect
Japan Airlines
Find Deal
Aer Lingus Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
Aer Lingus Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
Aer Lingus
Find Deal
Austrian Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 22mdirect
Austrian Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
Austrian Airlines
Find Deal
Emirates Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 39mdirect
Emirates Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
Emirates
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SWISS Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 22mdirect
SWISS Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 20mdirect
United Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
United Airlines
Find Deal
Alaska Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 22mdirect
Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Frontier Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 20mdirect
Frontier Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 23mdirect
Frontier
Find Deal
Cathay Pacific Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
Cathay Pacific Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
Finnair Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 14mdirect
Finnair Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
Finnair
Find Deal
Royal Jordanian Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 25mdirect
Royal Jordanian Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 14mdirect
Royal Jordanian
Find Deal
Iberia Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 21mdirect
Iberia Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 22mdirect
Iberia
Find Deal
Brussels Airlines Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 22mdirect
Brussels Airlines Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
Brussels Airlines
Find Deal
Lufthansa Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 34mdirect
Lufthansa Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 19mdirect
Lufthansa
Find Deal
British Airways Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 14mdirect
British Airways Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 22mdirect
British Airways
Find Deal
Gulf Air Logo
ORD-SAN
4h 10mdirect
Gulf Air Logo
SAN-ORD
4h 18mdirect
Gulf Air
Find Deal

Expert advice for your flight from Chicago to San Diego

 
Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarisation of KAYAK-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are specific to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Airlines
American Airlines

American's Main Cabin Extra offers early boarding and complimentary drinks.


American Airlines' Wi-Fi offers 20 minutes free with an ad, ideal for quick tasks.

United Airlines

United's Economy Plus offers up to 6 inches more legroom than standard economy seats.


United's Priority Boarding places you in Zone 2, ensuring overhead bin space.

Our travel experts
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, The Points Guy, and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Read more
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or out at sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Read more

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to San Diego flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Chicago to San Diego to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego is October, where tickets cost £276 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is £368 and £359 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
No, with an average price for the route of £548, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 11 weeks before departure.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from Chicago to San Diego

Low season

February

High season

July
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 4% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 3% lower on average.

When to book flights from Chicago to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to San Diego based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking Chicago to San Diego flights

  • What kinds of flights are available from the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (ORD) to the San Diego International Airport (SAN)?

    If you are looking for an easy and convenient flight from Chicago to San Diego, you will be glad to know that there are several direct departures per day. These are typically operated by either American Airlines or United Airlines. Or, if you are looking to save money, you can find some flights that require one layover, typically operated by Spirit Airlines with a stop in Las Vegas (LAS). However, it is good to know that the direct departures are more frequent than the indirect routes.

  • How do I get from downtown Chicago to the O’Hare International Airport (ORD)?

    It takes about 40min by car to reach ORD from downtown Chicago. So, rideshares such as Lyft or Uber or a taxi will cost about $50. Or, you can take public transport. The CTA Blue Line costs about $2.50 for about a 30min ride.

  • What is the best way to get to downtown San Diego from the San Diego International Airport (SAN)?

    Downtown San Diego is less than a 10min drive from the airport, so you can easily take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft or take a taxi. Alternatively, you can take the COASTER commuter train or the Amtrak InterCity train.

  • What other cities are served by the San Diego International Airport (SAN)?

    There are several other cities served by the San Diego airport. These include the nearby Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, the entire San Diego Bay, and up north to Del Mar.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Chicago to San Diego?

    American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Chicago to San Diego flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Chicago to San Diego?

    The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to San Diego flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Chicago to San Diego?

    oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Chicago and San Diego, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Chicago to San Diego?

    There are direct flights from Chicago to San Diego on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to San Diego?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Chicago to San Diego.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Chicago to San Diego?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Diego from Chicago is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Chicago to San Diego?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Diego with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Chicago to San Diego?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Diego from Chicago up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego

  • Are you going on an extended trip to San Diego and will need to leave your vehicle at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) while you are gone? There are several choices here for long term parking. You can make use of the main garage, the economy lots, or the daily lot.
  • If you are arriving at ORD early and need a way to kill some time before takeoff, you can browse through the Public Art Program, which features several exhibitions located throughout the entire airport. Or, relieve stress in the yoga room in the terminal 3 rotunda on the mezzanine level.
  • Both the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (ORD) and the San Diego International Airport (SAN) offer assistance for passengers with limited mobility. ORD offers wheelchair rental and assistance navigating the airport before departure along with a shower facility that is accessible. SAN also offers wheelchair and navigation assistance as well as accessible transport options.
  • If you are picking up a rental vehicle when you land in San Diego, you will pick it up at the Consolidated Rental Car Center. This is accessible via a free shuttle bus directly from outside the terminal.
  • If you are departing from ORD with a furry friend, you will be happy to know that there is a pet relief area near gate K1 in the terminal 3 rotunda. You will find other relief areas outside the terminal before you go through security.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to San Diego?

Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to San Diego Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago O'Hare Intl to San Diego

Monday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Tuesday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Wednesday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +15 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +16 more

Thursday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Friday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Saturday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Sunday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to Chicago O'Hare Intl

Monday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Tuesday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Wednesday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +15 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +16 more

Thursday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Friday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Saturday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

Sunday

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, +16 more

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, +17 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to San Diego

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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