Rome2Rio

How to get fromChicago Union Station to San Franciscoby plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, or train

Find Transport to San Francisco

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Chicago Union Station to San Francisco by plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane MDW - SFO
    6h 48m
    $192–427

  2. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane ORD - SFO
    7h 4m
    $132–297

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus
    2d 2h
    $349–660

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train California Zephyr
    2d 5h
    $768–1,581

  5. Drive 2,125 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago Union Station to San Franciscocar car 2,125 mi
    32h 54m
    $388–561

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Oakland International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane MDW - OAK
    6h 57m
    $208–863

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane MDW - SJC
    2. Take the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    8h 9m
    $204–820

  8. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane ORD - SJC
    2. Take the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    8h 40m
    $164–510

  9. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Sacramento International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane MDW - SMF
    2. Take the train from Sacramento to Richmondtrain train
    10h 4m
    $232–921

Chicago Union Station to San Francisco by foot and bus (Greyhound)

Calendar14Weekly Services
Duration2d 2hAverage Duration
Ticket$349Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago Union Station to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,878.1 mi
  • Duration: 6h 48m

What companies run services between Chicago Union Station, IL, USA and San Francisco, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Chicago Union Station to San Francisco Bus Station via Chicago Bus Station, Denver Union Station, and Sparks Transit Center in around 2d 2h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers