HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Chicago

$173+ Cheap flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 12/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — CHI
Nov 25 — Dec 21
Mon 11/25
Mon 12/2
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go
Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”
2. Select your favorite providers
We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.
3. Compare prices and book
Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.

Cheap flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated November 20, 2024.

Most accurate provider

Expedia
1 star

Most trusted provider

Expedia
3 stars

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

July

Round-trip from

$306
(Delta)

One-way from

$173
(Delta)
Provider with most accurate pricing for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flights.
Search Deals
High demand for flights, 45% potential price rise
Search Deals
Best time to find cheap flights, 22% potential price drop
Search Deals
From Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
Search Deals
One-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
Search Deals

Find flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on November 20, 2024.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 12/125:50 amSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 03mUnited Airlines
Sun 12/157:10 amORD - SBA
1 stop7h 53mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/19$346
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 12/124:25 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 20mAmerican Airlines
Sun 12/155:00 amORD - SBA
2 stops9h 36mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/19$351
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 12/75:50 amSBA - ORD
2 stops9h 08mDelta
Thu 12/122:10 pmORD - SBA
2 stops11h 49mDelta
Deal found 11/19$465
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 12/310:55 amSBA - ORD
2 stops9h 40mSouthwest
Thu 12/512:15 pmORD - SBA
2 stops11h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 11/19$579
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 11/2310:24 amSBA - ORD
1 stop17h 04mAlaska Airlines
Mon 11/256:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop14h 04mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 11/18$707

Find flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,629,791 searches. Data last updated November 20, 2024.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sat 2/15

7:15 am-6:49 pm

1 stop9h 34m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 2/18

7:20 am-12:23 pm

1 stop7h 03m

$306

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Wed 1/22

2:29 pm-1:07 pm

1 stop20h 38m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 1/26

3:35 pm-12:20 pm

1 stop22h 45m

$326

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 12/12

5:50 am-4:53 pm

1 stop9h 03m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 12/15

7:10 am-1:03 pm

1 stop7h 53m

$346

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 1/3

4:25 pm-12:31 am

1 stop6h 06m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 1/10

6:30 am-11:43 am

1 stop7h 13m

$348

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 3/21

5:45 am-4:45 pm

2 stops9h 00m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 3/25

2:50 pm-10:50 pm

2 stops10h 00m

$506

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Mon 12/9

1:40 pm-10:03 pm

1 stop6h 23m

$173

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 12/13

7:05 pm-6:18 pm

1 stop21h 13m

$223

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sun 4/27

4:53 pm-12:31 am

1 stop5h 38m

$233

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sun 4/27

6:00 am-4:45 pm

2 stops8h 45m

$268

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 12/13

5:50 am-12:22 am

2 stops16h 32m

$334

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 11/18

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Santa Barbara-Chicago flights, users find the pricing of Expedia to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. Expedia Users can find the same prices on Santa Barbara-Chicago flight deals on Cheapflights vs. Expedia <90% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Santa Barbara-Chicago flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Santa Barbara-Chicago flights, Cheapflights users trust Expedia the most. Expedia has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Santa Barbara-Chicago flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Chicago from Santa Barbara with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Travel insights for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $232). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in June is currently the most expensive (average of $308). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SBA to CHI?

Find hourly flight availability from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated November 20, 2024.

It’s optimal to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 8% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the morning.

Rainfall in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Chicago ranges from 1.7 - 4.9 inches per month. August is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.9 in. January is typically the driest time to visit Chicago when rainfall is around 1.7 in.

Temperature in Chicago by month

Plan your trip to Chicago by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Chicago, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 23.0 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Chicago

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Chicago. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Chicago. Reviews last updated November 20, 2024.
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,461 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

Delta
8.0
Very good
8,756 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,171 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
5,014 reviews

Crew

8.7

Comfort

8.1

Overall

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Reviews

1 / 10

My original flight was delayed so they found this flight for me so I could arrive at a reasonable time

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    If you book a flight to Chicago from Santa Barbara, you will be flying from Santa Barbara, which is the city’s only airport. Santa Barbara (SBA) is located 8.0 mi from the center of Santa Barbara. There are 0 flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago per day from 3 different airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago round-trip?

    Flying on Delta is currently your cheapest option to Chicago, with prices starting at $306. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $326 and $346, respectively. You may be able to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago for 43% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago are Delta ($173), Alaska Airlines ($223), and American Airlines ($233).

  • Can I find deals for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Santa Barbara to Chicago flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $232). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in June is currently the most expensive (average of $308). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Santa Barbara to Chicago

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Los Angeles to O'Hare Intl flights
San Francisco to O'Hare Intl flights
Los Angeles to Midway flights
Santa Ana to O'Hare Intl flights
Burbank to O'Hare Intl flights
Ontario to O'Hare Intl flights
San Diego to O'Hare Intl flights
San Francisco to Midway flights
San Jose to O'Hare Intl flights
Sacramento to O'Hare Intl flights
Oakland to O'Hare Intl flights
San Diego to Midway flights
Ontario to Midway flights
Los Angeles to St. Louis flights
San Francisco to St. Louis flights
Las Vegas to O'Hare Intl flights
Santa Ana to Midway flights
Las Vegas to Midway flights
San Jose to Midway flights
Sacramento to Midway flights
Palm Springs to O'Hare Intl flights
Ontario to St. Louis flights
Reno to O'Hare Intl flights
Burbank to Midway flights
Sacramento to St. Louis flights
Long Beach to O'Hare Intl flights
San Diego to St. Louis flights
Santa Barbara to O'Hare Intl flights
Oakland to Midway flights
San Jose to St. Louis flights
Fresno to O'Hare Intl flights
Las Vegas to St. Louis flights
Oakland to St. Louis flights
Santa Ana to St. Louis flights
Monterey to O'Hare Intl flights
Burbank to St. Louis flights
Long Beach to Midway flights
Bakersfield to O'Hare Intl flights
Reno to Midway flights
Santa Ana to Moline flights
San Francisco to Moline flights
Fresno to Midway flights
Long Beach to St. Louis flights
Palm Springs to Midway flights
Los Angeles to Moline flights
Palm Springs to St. Louis flights
Los Angeles to Peoria flights
Los Angeles to Rockford flights
San Francisco to Evansville flights
Sacramento to Rockford flights

Top 3 airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,629,791 searches. Data last updated November 20, 2024.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$303Average$396FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$317Average$453FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$331Average$392FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
100% Free
Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.
Book with Flexibility
Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees
Travel Smart
Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.
View all available airlines