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$176+ Cheap flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara (SBA)

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 5/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
ORD — SBA
Apr 5 — Apr 121
Sat 4/5
Sat 4/12
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Illinois to Santa Barbara flight deals. Data was last updated March 31, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$284
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$176
(Delta)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$359
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From Illinois to Santa Barbara
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One-way flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 6% potential increase in price ($19 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in March 2025
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Find flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Cheapest flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Illinois to Santa Barbara. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on March 31, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/31. 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.
Fri 5/306:30 amMLI - SBA
1 stop6h 58mAmerican Airlines
Tue 6/312:23 pmSBA - MLI
1 stop7h 01mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 3/31$284
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Fri 6/65:35 pmMLI - SBA
2 stops8h 23mUnited Airlines
Mon 6/96:50 pmSBA - MLI
2 stops13h 30mUnited Airlines
Deal found 3/30$299
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Fri 5/301:09 pmSTL - SBA
1 stop9h 21mDelta
Tue 6/38:30 amSBA - STL
1 stop10h 09mDelta
Deal found 3/30$348
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Sat 8/94:20 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 01mUnited Airlines
Thu 8/146:45 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 33mUnited Airlines
Deal found 3/30$349
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/31. 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.
Mon 5/57:25 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 47mDelta
Mon 5/1212:42 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 58mDelta
Deal found 3/31$351
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Fri 5/305:19 amSTL - SBA
1 stop8h 09mAmerican Airlines
Tue 6/37:24 pmSBA - STL
2 stops11h 32mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 3/30$353
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/29. 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.
Wed 7/165:45 amSTL - SBA
2 stops8h 00mSouthwest
Wed 7/2312:30 pmSBA - STL
1 stop7h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 3/29$362
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Sat 6/142:26 pmORD - SBA
1 stop5h 53mAmerican Airlines
Tue 6/171:10 pmSBA - ORD
2 stops8h 33mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 3/30$362
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Thu 9/256:15 amORD - SBA
2 stops10h 05mSouthwest
Mon 9/295:40 amSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 45mSouthwest
Deal found 3/30$413
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/31. 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.
Mon 5/56:58 pmORD - SBA
2 stops25h 32mAlaska Airlines
Mon 5/125:34 pmSBA - ORD
2 stops22h 46mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 3/31$447
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/30. 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.
Fri 5/305:27 pmSTL - SBA
2 stops8h 31mUnited Airlines
Tue 6/36:30 amSBA - STL
3 stops14h 15mUnited Airlines
Deal found 3/30$545

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara 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 March 31, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

Illinois

Fly to

Santa Barbara

Route

Depart

Return

Price

MolineSanta Barbara

MLI - SBA

MLISBA

Moline Quad-City

Fri 5/30

6:30 am-11:28 am

1 stop6h 58m

Santa Barbara

Tue 6/3

12:23 pm-9:24 pm

1 stop7h 01m

$284

MolineSanta Barbara

MLI - SBA

MLISBA

Moline Quad-City

Fri 6/6

5:35 pm-11:58 pm

2 stops8h 23m

Santa Barbara

Mon 6/9

6:50 pm-10:20 am

2 stops13h 30m

$299

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Fri 5/30

1:09 pm-8:30 pm

1 stop9h 21m

Santa Barbara

Tue 6/3

8:30 am-8:39 pm

1 stop10h 09m

$348

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 8/9

4:20 pm-9:21 pm

1 stop7h 01m

Santa Barbara

Thu 8/14

6:45 pm-5:18 am

1 stop8h 33m

$349

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 5/5

7:25 am-12:12 pm

1 stop6h 47m

Santa Barbara

Mon 5/12

12:42 pm-9:40 pm

1 stop6h 58m

$351

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Fri 5/30

5:19 am-11:28 am

1 stop8h 09m

Santa Barbara

Tue 6/3

7:24 pm-8:56 am

2 stops11h 32m

$353

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Wed 7/16

5:45 am-11:45 am

2 stops8h 00m

Santa Barbara

Wed 7/23

12:30 pm-9:45 pm

1 stop7h 15m

$362

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 6/14

2:26 pm-6:19 pm

1 stop5h 53m

Santa Barbara

Tue 6/17

1:10 pm-11:43 pm

2 stops8h 33m

$362

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 9/25

6:15 am-2:20 pm

2 stops10h 05m

Santa Barbara

Mon 9/29

5:40 am-2:25 pm

1 stop6h 45m

$413

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 5/5

6:58 pm-6:30 pm

2 stops25h 32m

Santa Barbara

Mon 5/12

5:34 pm-6:20 pm

2 stops22h 46m

$447

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 3/30

Showing 1-10 of 16 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Santa Barbara from Illinois 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.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $506). 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 IL to SBA?

Find hourly flight availability from Illinois to Santa Barbara. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated March 31, 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara as you normally would.

Rainfall in Santa Barbara by month

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

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Santa Barbara ranges from 0.0 - 3.5 inches per month. January is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 3.5 in. May is typically the driest time to visit Santa Barbara when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in Santa Barbara by month

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

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Santa Barbara, 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 62.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 51.8 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Santa Barbara

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara. Reviews last updated March 31, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta from Illinois to Santa Barbara have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,275 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,899 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,614 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,818 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Seleste,Dec 2024

FAT - SAN

The attention and efficiency of the staff and the good handling of the pilot

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Illinois to Santa Barbara. 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 into for flights to Santa Barbara from Illinois?

    Most people fly into Santa Barbara (SBA) if they book a flight to Santa Barbara from Illinois. Santa Barbara is conveniently located just 8.0 mi from Santa Barbara’s city center.

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

    $176 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Delta. You may also be able to find cheap deals on American Airlines and Southwest, with prices starting from $184 and $219, respectively.

  • What are the most popular routes from Illinois to Santa Barbara?

    While some choose either Lambert-St Louis - Santa Barbara or Moline Quad-City - Santa Barbara, Chicago O'Hare Intl - Santa Barbara is the most popular route from Illinois to Santa Barbara.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara 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 Illinois to Santa Barbara?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $506). 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 Illinois?

Book flights to Illinois if you plan to visit one of these locations
Buellton
Santa Ynez

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Alternative routes for Illinois to Santa Barbara

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 4 airlines flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara. 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 March 31, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$306Average$430FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$318Average$431FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$343Average$504FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$357Average$496FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
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