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

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There are 8 ways to get from Chicago 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 33m
    $212–457

  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
    6h 51m
    $132–297

  3. Bus

    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
    $357–694

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train California Zephyr
    2d 5h
    $784–1,569

  5. Drive 2,125.4 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to San Franciscocar car 2,125.4 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 42m
    $228–913

  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
    7h 54m
    $214–870

  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 27m
    $174–570

Chicago to San Francisco by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration2d 2hAverage Duration
Ticket$357Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,876.4 mi
  • Duration: 6h 33m

What companies run services between Chicago, 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 bus from Chicago Bus Station to San Francisco Bus Station via Denver Union Station and Sparks Transit Center in around 2d 2h.

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