Recommended route
San Francisco
Direct trip to Chicago traveling by flights
Chicago
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Alternative routes
San Francisco
Travel by bus, train to San Jose
San Jose
Travel by flights to Chicago
Chicago
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San Francisco
Travel by flights to Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Travel by bus to Chicago
Chicago
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How to get from San Francisco to Chicago?

Planning to travel to San Francisco from Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago, whether it is for price, time or convenience reasons. Vivanoda will help you to find all the transportation solutions to travel between San Francisco and Chicago, be it by plane, train, bus or carpool.

With detailed information about each mode of transportation and about the transport companies (CalTrain, Amtrak, 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 San Francisco to Chicago, we've got all the information you need to plan an unforgettable San Francisco Chicago trip.

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

Bus tickets from San Francisco to Chicago

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

San Francisco to Chicago train tickets

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

San Francisco to Chicago cheap flights

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

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

San Francisco Chicago Travel Information

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

Plan your trip from San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco and Chicago that best suit your needs. Vivanoda also displays all the special offers and promotions of different airlines like CalTrain, Amtrak, 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 San Francisco and Chicago with peace of mind!

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

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

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

San Francisco Departure Bus Stations

San Francisco Caltrain Station
Map

Departure stations in San Francisco

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

Departure airports in San Francisco

San Francisco International
Map

Chicago arrival bus stations

Union Station
Map

Chicago Arrival Stations

Chicago
Map

Chicago Arrival Airports

Midway International
Map
O'Hare International
Map
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3 tips for cheaper travel from San Francisco to Chicago

Have you decided to travel from San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco to Chicago trip.

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

Bus San Francisco Chicago

Buses between San Francisco and Chicago 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 San Francisco and Chicago 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 San Francisco-Chicago varies depending on the carrier and the time of booking. On certain busy dates, prices can double! Compare all San Francisco-Chicago bus prices on Vivanoda.

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

Most bus companies allow passengers to eat or drink on San Francisco-Chicago 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.

San Francisco-Chicago 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 San Francisco Chicago

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

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

Of course passengers can take luggage with them on the train from San Francisco to Chicago. 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 San Francisco to Chicago 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 San Francisco and Chicago, 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 San Francisco to Chicago. 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 San Francisco and Chicago.

Trains between San Francisco and Chicago 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 San Francisco and Chicago

CalTrain
CalTrain
Amtrak
Amtrak
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Flights San Francisco Chicago

Airlines San Francisco Chicago

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