4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $109. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 14h 53m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.9 - 2.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $109, and a train costs an average of $242.
Distance: 1853 miles (2983 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$528 Average price | $285 Average price Cheapest | $451 Average price | $454 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
54h 27m Average total duration 53h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 53m Average total duration Fastest 14h 53m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 54h 11m Average total duration 53h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 31h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.9 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.9 - 17.9kg CO2 emissions | 3.0 - 7.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA:
A flight is $166 (€134) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA costing on average $451 (€364).
A flight is $243 (€196) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA costing on average $528 (€426).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 53h 41m.
Train takes on average 53h 57m.
Travel optionsfrom Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
How to get from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
F91483 · F910939:37 PM12h24O'Hare International Airport8:01 AMSan Francisco International Airport$1381One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- F91483 · F910939:37 PM12h24O'Hare International Airport8:01 AMSan Francisco International Airport$1381One-way1 transfer
Fastest
UA2466:13 AM4h37O'Hare International Airport8:50 AMSan Francisco International Airport$2401One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 3 Southwest Chief · 5817 AMTRAK · 717 Gold Runner · 6617 AMTRAK1:30 PM57h00Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL8:30 PMSan Francisco, CA$3361One-way3 transfers
- 421 Texas Eagle · 5815 AMTRAK · 715 Gold Runner · 6615 AMTRAK2:10 PM77h20Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL5:30 PMSan Francisco, CA$3361One-way3 transfers
- 3 Southwest Chief · 14 Coast Starlight · 6619 AMTRAK1:30 PM59h00Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL10:30 PMSan Francisco, CA$3741One-way2 transfers
- · · 12:25 PM50h00Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station12:25 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$2211One-way2 transfers
FlixBus+ · · 5:15 PM67h50Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station11:05 AMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$2211One-way4 transfers- · · +FlixBus12:25 PM55h25Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station5:50 PMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$2241One-way3 transfers
- F91483 · F934399:37 PM28h46O'Hare International Airport12:23 AMSan Francisco International Airport$1381One-way1 transfer
- F91596 · F914476:55 AM15h02O'Hare International Airport7:57 PMSan Francisco International Airport$1591One-way1 transfer
- F91483 · F912299:37 PM16h10O'Hare International Airport11:47 AMSan Francisco International Airport$1591One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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FAQs: Travel from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Travel to San Francisco, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA:
A flight is $166 (€134) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA costing on average $451 (€364).
A flight is $243 (€196) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA costing on average $528 (€426).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 53h 41m.
Train takes on average 53h 57m.
- Around 70 flights per day.
- Around 8 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL and arrive in Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station and arrive in San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA.
- Flights mostly depart from O'Hare International Airport and arrive in San Francisco International Airport.
- Travel with American Airlines, frontier airlines, Alaska Airlines, United to go to San Francisco, CA by flight.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to San Francisco, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to San Francisco, CA by train.
- 12 direct flights per day with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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