Submit feedbackComplete travel information for your October journey
October is an excellent month to depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) for San Francisco, offering cooler fall weather at home and often mild conditions on arrival. Nonstop flights are common—book early to secure cheaper ORD to SFO airfare and aim to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic departures. Use the CTA Blue Line for budget-friendly access to ORD, reserve terminal parking to save, and enable mobile boarding passes for faster security processing. For live updates check airline notifications and ORD airport alerts, and consider flexible fares or refundable options during the unpredictable Midwest fall. Ready to find cheap flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in October? Search and compare nonstop and connecting fares now.
Security wait times at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in October typically range from 10 to 30 minutes for TSA PreCheck lanes and 20 to 45 minutes for standard lanes. Weekday mornings and Friday evenings can be busier due to business travel and seasonal events, so plan to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international connections. Check live wait-time tools from the airport or airline for day-of updates.
Yes, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) typically offers multiple nonstop flights a day to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) throughout October, operated by major carriers including United and American on peak days. Nonstop schedules can increase on weekends; book early for the best fares and check the carrier timetable for exact departure windows.
Common connecting hubs between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) include Denver, Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Los Angeles. These layovers are offered by airlines such as United, American, and Southwest; typical connection times vary from 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on the itinerary.
Parking rates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in October depend on lot type: economy lots average $16–$25/day, garage parking near terminals $35–$45/day, and valet services cost more. Monthly and long-term economy options are available; reserve parking online to lock in lower rates and reduce arrival stress.
From Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in October you can use the CTA Blue Line for inexpensive downtown access, airport shuttles, ride-hailing services, taxis, and rental cars. The Blue Line runs 24/7 and takes about 45 minutes to reach downtown Chicago; plan for extra travel time during peak fall events and midwestern weather changes.
In October, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) can experience variable fall weather including rain, fog, and early cold snaps that may affect flight schedules. Monitor airline alerts for delays and consider flexible tickets or travel insurance for October trips; checking forecasts 48–72 hours before departure helps plan for potential disruptions.
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in October offers pleasant fall weather for exploring the Bay Area. BART provides the most efficient route to downtown San Francisco, while rental cars or shuttles are ideal for trips to Silicon Valley, San Jose, or wine country. Expect moderate arrival volumes; using Global Entry or Mobile Passport will greatly reduce immigration wait times. October is a prime month for fall festivals and winery harvest experiences in Napa and Sonoma—plan transfers in advance and compare flights to find the best ORD to SFO deals for your trip.
From San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown San Francisco in October, the BART train offers the fastest and most cost-effective option, taking about 30 minutes to downtown. Rideshares and taxis are available curbside, and airport shuttles or private car services provide door-to-door convenience; expect slightly higher demand on weekends and during fall conferences.
In October, travelers arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can easily access fall highlights like the San Francisco Fleet Week events when scheduled, scenic drives to Half Moon Bay pumpkin patches, and nearby wine country in Napa and Sonoma with harvest season activities. October often offers clear skies for bay views and pleasant temperatures ideal for outdoor exploration.
Baggage claim and customs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in October generally take 20–60 minutes for domestic arrivals and 30–90 minutes for international flights, depending on volume and Global Entry usage. Use Global Entry or Mobile Passport to speed up U.S. entry, and check flight arrival times since multiple international flights arriving simultaneously can increase wait times.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a gateway to nearby major cities and destinations including San Jose, Oakland, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Sacramento, Monterey, and the Napa and Sonoma wine regions. Travelers often combine flights into SFO with onward car or rail trips to Silicon Valley and Northern California attractions.
Yes, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has several on-site and nearby airport hotels offering free shuttles, day rooms, and early check-in options in October. Popular chains near SFO include Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt; book ahead for mid-October tech conferences or weekend events to secure the best rates.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) provides accessible parking, elevators, tactile signage, visual paging, wheelchair assistance, and assistance dogs year-round, including October. Request assistance from your airline at least 48 hours in advance for streamlined boarding and deplaning, and contact SFO customer service if you need specialized services upon arrival.
October hosts several events that can influence ORD to SFO travel: Chicago's fall cultural festivals and major conferences can raise outbound demand from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), while San Francisco frequently hosts tech meetups, Fleet Week (when scheduled), and wine country harvest festivals near SFO. These events can drive airfare and hotel price increases—book early and consider flexible travel dates. If attending a Napa harvest event, allow extra transit time between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and wine country.
For the best combination of price and convenience when flying from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in October, target midweek departures (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and early-morning flights. These times typically offer lower fares and more reliable on-time performance. If you can be flexible by a day or two, use flexible-date searches to reveal significant savings. Consider flying into Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) as alternative destinations to save money or access different Bay Area regions.
Nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) provide the fastest option—typically about 4 hours airborne—and reduce layover risks, which is ideal for business travelers or tight schedules in October. Connecting flights can be considerably cheaper, especially if routed through Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas, but add complexity and potential for missed connections. In October, midwestern weather can occasionally cause knock-on delays, so weigh the price savings against the risk and consider longer connection windows if choosing a one-stop itinerary.
United often offers the most nonstop frequencies between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with options for Economy Plus and Polaris/First on select flights. American and Delta provide competitive schedules with one-stop or direct options depending on day and seasonal demand. Southwest typically offers value-oriented fares and two free checked bags, which can be a savings advantage for families. Compare total trip costs (fare + baggage + seat selection) and loyalty benefits when booking October travel to choose the best carrier for your priorities.
Pack layers for October travel: Chicago mornings may be brisk while San Francisco afternoons can be mild but breezy. Bring a light water-resistant jacket for fog or coastal winds near San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and comfortable walking shoes for city and wine country exploration. Check October weather forecasts 48–72 hours before departure, enroll in flight alerts, and purchase refundable or flexible fares if you’re traveling during peak event weekends. Allow extra time for car rentals and ground transfers at both ORD and SFO during busy fall weekends.
Nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) typically take about 4 hours and 10–30 minutes of block time depending on winds and routing. Schedules in October commonly include morning (6–9am), midday (11am–2pm), and evening (4–7pm) departures, with additional weekend frequency. Connecting itineraries through Denver, Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, or Los Angeles add 1–3 hours of layover time. For live schedule checks and to optimize connections, use airline timetable pages and real-time flight trackers.
To score cheap flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in October, search 6–8 weeks in advance and monitor midweek departures for lower fares. Use flexible-date search tools, set fare alerts, and compare airlines for both nonstop and one-stop itineraries. Consider red-eye options or early-morning flights to capture off-peak prices. If you have flexible airports, compare fares into San Jose (SJC) or Oakland (OAK) as well — sometimes nearby Bay Area airports show significant savings. Book refundable or flexible tickets if you expect schedule changes.