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$182+ 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 4/28. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — CHI
Jan 25 — Feb 11
Sat 1/25
Sat 2/1
1 adult, Economy
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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 January 20, 2025.

Most accurate provider

Expedia
1 star

Most trusted provider

Expedia
3 stars

Round-trip from

$324
(Delta)

One-way from

$182
(American Airlines)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$718
Provider with most accurate pricing for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Santa Barbara-Chicago (CHI) flights.
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From Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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One-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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High demand for flights, 3% potential price rise
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Best time to find cheap flights, 4% potential price drop
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Average for round-trip flights in January 2025
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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 January 20, 2025.

This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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.
Tue 2/111:15 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 07mDelta
Wed 2/122:25 pmORD - SBA
2 stops11h 30mDelta
Deal found 1/20$324
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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.
Wed 2/54:19 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop20h 21mAlaska Airlines
Wed 2/127:45 amORD - SBA
1 stop9h 44mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 1/20$334
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/19. 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 4/247:08 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 03mAmerican Airlines
Sat 4/266:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop7h 47mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 1/19$363
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/19. 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 2/187:00 amSBA - ORD
2 stops9h 10mSouthwest
Sat 2/226:15 amORD - SBA
1 stop9h 55mSouthwest
Deal found 1/19$397
This United deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 5/82:28 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop7h 31mUnited Airlines
Sun 5/117:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop8h 37mUnited Airlines
Deal found 1/20$453

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 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 20, 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Tue 2/11

1:15 pm-9:22 pm

1 stop6h 07m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 2/12

2:25 pm-11:55 pm

2 stops11h 30m

$324

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Wed 2/5

4:19 pm-2:40 pm

1 stop20h 21m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 2/12

7:45 am-3:29 pm

1 stop9h 44m

$334

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 4/24

7:08 pm-5:11 am

1 stop8h 03m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 4/26

6:00 am-11:47 am

1 stop7h 47m

$363

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Tue 2/18

7:00 am-6:10 pm

2 stops9h 10m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 2/22

6:15 am-2:10 pm

1 stop9h 55m

$397

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 5/8

2:28 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop7h 31m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 5/11

7:00 am-1:37 pm

1 stop8h 37m

$453

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Mon 4/28

7:08 pm-5:11 am

1 stop8h 03m

$182

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Thu 4/10

12:20 pm-11:05 pm

2 stops8h 45m

$219

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Fri 1/31

4:19 pm-5:59 pm

1 stop23h 40m

$422

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sun 1/26

5:00 am-2:55 pm

1 stop7h 55m

$424

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

Sun 1/26

5:45 am-5:29 pm

2 stops9h 44m

$429

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/20

  • 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, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $320). 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 January 20, 2025.

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 afternoon.

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 January 20, 2025.
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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
4,659 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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
9,696 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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
8,521 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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
8,982 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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
4,659 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.7

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 $324. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $334 and $363, respectively. You may be able to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago for 34% 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 American Airlines ($182), Southwest ($219), and Alaska Airlines ($422).

  • 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, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $320). 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

Traveling to a place near Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Merrillville
New Buffalo
Hammond
Benton Harbor
Porter
Lansing
Valparaiso
Chesterton

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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 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 20, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$306Average$382FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$317Average$458FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$326Average$458FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
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