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Chicago
Direct trip to San Francisco traveling by flights
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Alternative routes
Chicago
Travel by flights to San Jose
San Jose
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San Francisco
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Chicago
Travel by train to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
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San Francisco
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How to get from Chicago to San Francisco?

Planning to travel to Chicago from San Francisco and looking for the best transportation options for your trip? We know that it is often difficult to choose the best way of transportation for a trip from Chicago to San Francisco, whether it is for price, time or convenience reasons. Vivanoda will help you to find all the transportation solutions to travel between Chicago and San Francisco, be it by plane, train, bus or carpool.

With detailed information about each mode of transportation and about the transport companies (Amtrak, CalTrain, MegaBus - US, Greyhound or FlixBus), you will be able to easily compare fares, timetables and travel times, in order to choose the option that best suits your needs.

Whether you're a budget traveler or looking for a quick and convenient way to get from Chicago to San Francisco, we've got all the information you need to plan an unforgettable Chicago San Francisco trip.

For your trip from Chicago to San Francisco, you have several transportation options

Bus tickets from Chicago to San Francisco

Buses are often the most economical choice for travel from Chicago to San Francisco, offering direct travel options or with intermediate stops.

Chicago to San Francisco train tickets

If you like to travel more ecologically and economically, the Chicago San Francisco train is ideal and meets your expectations.

Chicago to San Francisco cheap flights

Many flights connect Chicago to San Francisco every day, offering a fast and convenient option for travelers. If you are in a hurry, flying is the fastest way to get to San Francisco in record time.

Whichever way you choose, our price comparison tool will help you find the Chicago to San Francisco transportation option that best suits your needs and budget.

Chicago San Francisco Travel Information

Departure city
Chicago
United States
Illinois
Destination city
San Francisco
United States
California
Distance
1854 mi
Direct connection
Yes, direct connection by flights
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Plan your trip from Chicago to San Francisco easily with Vivanoda

Plan your trip from Chicago to San Francisco easily with Vivanoda

With Vivanoda you can easily compare all available transportation options like flights, trains, buses and carpools according to your preferences and budget. You can also filter the results by price, travel time, schedule and comfort options. Thanks to its ease of use and clarity, Vivanoda allows you to find in a few clicks the tickets between Chicago and San Francisco that best suit your needs. Vivanoda also displays all the special offers and promotions of different airlines like Amtrak, CalTrain, MegaBus - US, Greyhound or FlixBus to help you save on your tickets. So don't hesitate and use Vivanoda now to prepare your trip between Chicago and San Francisco with peace of mind!

Comparison of the different ways to travel between Chicago and San Francisco

Advantages and disadvantages of flying from Chicago to San Francisco?
Speed Flying between Chicago and San Francisco is the fastest way to travel the 1854 mi between Chicago and San Francisco.
Choice of airlines There are many airlines operating flights from Chicago to San Francisco, both direct and with a stopover, giving travelers a wide choice.
Environmental disadvantages Flights from Chicago to San Francisco have a negative impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions, as flying is one of the most polluting modes of transportation.
Security Checks Travelers to San Francisco often have to arrive at Chicago airport early due to strict security checks.
Prices Airline tickets from Chicago to San Francisco can be more expensive than train or bus tickets, especially during busy periods (vacations, weekends, etc.).
Advantages and disadvantages of traveling by train from Chicago to San Francisco?
Speed Chicago to San Francisco trains are often much faster than buses or cars.
Comfort Trains between Chicago and San Francisco generally offer more legroom and extra comfort for travelers.
Environmentally friendly The Chicago San Francisco train is considered a more environmentally friendly way to travel than flying or driving alone.
Cost Chicago San Francisco train tickets can be more expensive than bus or carpool tickets, especially on high-speed trains.
Flexibility Chicago San Francisco train schedules can be limited and it may be more difficult to change trains when needed.
Advantages and disadvantages of a bus trip from Chicago to San Francisco?
On-board services Modern buses that travel between Chicago and San Francisco are usually equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and toilets.
Flexibility Bus companies offer many schedule options for travel between Chicago and San Francisco, which can be convenient if you have specific time constraints.
Price The price of bus tickets from Chicago to San Francisco are often much cheaper than train or plane tickets to San Francisco (and sometimes cheaper than carpooling as well), making it an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.
Comfort Chicago-San Francisco buses can be less comfortable than trains, due to reduced legroom and suspension quality.
Travel time Buses from Chicago to San Francisco are mostly much slower than trains to San Francisco to cover the 1854 mi distance of the trip.

Where to start from in Chicago? Where do I arrive in San Francisco?

Departure stations in Chicago

Chicago
Map

Departure airports in Chicago

Midway International
Map
O'Hare International
Map

San Francisco arrival bus stations

San Francisco Caltrain Station
Map

San Francisco Arrival Stations

22nd Street Caltrain
Map
Bayshore Caltrain
Map
San Francisco Caltrain
Map

San Francisco Arrival Airports

San Francisco International
Map
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3 tips for cheaper travel from Chicago to San Francisco

Have you decided to travel from Chicago to San Francisco and are looking for ways to save money on your travel ticket? We present you with 3 useful tips to save money on your trip. Whether you choose to take a bus, train or flights, these tips will help you find the best rates for your Chicago to San Francisco trip.

  • 1. Be flexible on dates
    Chicago-San Francisco tickets are often cheaper on weekdays than on weekends. If you can afford to travel to San Francisco on weekdays instead of weekends, you could save money on your Chicago-San Francisco ticket. Furthermore, being flexible on dates can also help you find the best prices to San Francisco.
  • 2. Compare prices
    Using Vivanoda is a great way to find the best prices for your Chicago-San Francisco trip. It allows you to compare fares of different transportation providers in one search and find the best price for your stay in San Francisco.
  • 3. Avoid rush hour traffic
    Chicago-San Francisco tickets are very often cheaper if you travel outside of rush hour. By avoiding these high demand times of the day, you could save money on your ticket. In addition, traveling to San Francisco during off-peak hours can allow you to enjoy a more comfortable trip.

Bus Chicago San Francisco

Buses between Chicago and San Francisco usually offer on-board toilets for passengers, but it is always advisable to check with the carrier before the trip. In any case, breaks at freeway service stations are provided.

Most buses between Chicago and San Francisco are new and offer on-board power outlets for charging devices, but this may vary depending on the carrier.

The average price of a bus ticket for the trip Chicago-San Francisco varies depending on the carrier and the time of booking. On certain busy dates, prices can double! Compare all Chicago-San Francisco bus prices on Vivanoda.

The frequency of departures to Chicago from San Francisco varies depending on the carrier, the time period and the day of the week. To get a complete overview of all bus departures to San Francisco, please specify your departure date and start a search on Vivanoda.

Most bus companies allow passengers to eat or drink on Chicago-San Francisco buses, and some even offer a snack service where you can buy a drink or a sandwich. However, it is recommended to check the specific policies of each company before traveling.

Chicago-San Francisco bus tickets are often cheaper if you buy them in advance, especially if you book several weeks in advance. However, some bus companies also offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats.

Bus companies Chicago San Francisco

MegaBus - US
MegaBus - US
Greyhound
Greyhound
FlixBus
FlixBus
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Trains Chicago San Francisco

It is recommended to book your train ticket from Chicago to San Francisco at least a few weeks in advance to get the best price.

Of course passengers can take luggage with them on the train from Chicago to San Francisco. There is no weight limit, but some train companies limit the amount of luggage you can take and require you to pay a supplement. On the other hand, the size of the luggage should be reasonable due to the often limited space inside the trains.

Train tickets from Chicago to San Francisco can be refunded or exchanged but are usually more expensive. The cheapest tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

To get the best train fares between Chicago and San Francisco, it is recommended to book in advance, be flexible with time schedules and compare train fares with Vivanoda.

There may be a price difference depending on the time of day you travel by train from Chicago to San Francisco. Tickets purchased during off-peak hours are cheaper than those purchased during peak hours. To get a detailed overview of all prices, Vivanoda compares all modes of transportation between Chicago and San Francisco.

Trains between Chicago and San Francisco are equipped with power outlets and free Wi-Fi for passengers. Power outlets are available in most cars, while the Wi-Fi connection may be unstable in some areas.

Train companies between Chicago and San Francisco

Amtrak
Amtrak
CalTrain
CalTrain
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Flights Chicago San Francisco

Airlines Chicago San Francisco

United Airlines
United Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines
Virgin America
Virgin America
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
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