Best Flights starting from $157
from$157economy
San Diego (SAN)
Tue, Apr 28
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Sat, May 2
from$167economy
San Diego (SAN)
Fri, Apr 24
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Tue, Apr 28
from$177economy
San Diego (SAN)
Thu, Apr 23
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Mon, Apr 27
from$177economy
San Diego (SAN)
Mon, Apr 27
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Fri, May 1
from$178economy
San Diego (SAN)
Sun, Apr 26
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Thu, Apr 30
from$495economy
San Diego (SAN)
Sat, Apr 25
Roundtrip
Chicago (ORD)
Wed, Apr 29
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Options for This Route
Other Destinations
San Diego (SAN) to Dallas (Any) in April from $59
From $59
San Diego (SAN) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in April from $96
From $96
San Diego (SAN) to New York (Any) in April from $106
From $106
San Diego (SAN) to Kansas City (MCI) in April from $135
From $135
San Diego (SAN) to Tampa (TPA) in April from $180
From $180
San Diego (SAN) to Knoxville (TYS) in April from $185
From $185
Flights from Other Cities
Miami (Any) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $34
From $34
Tampa (TPA) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $34
From $34
New York (Any) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $50
From $50
Los Angeles (Any) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $52
From $52
Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $54
From $54
Dallas (DFW) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $56
From $56
✈️ Flight Guide: San Diego (SAN) → Chicago (ORD)
Complete travel information for your April journey
Departing from San Diego (SAN) FAQs
To find the cheapest economy fares from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in January, monitor fare aggregators like Google Flights and Skyscanner and set price alerts for your routes. January is typically a low-demand month after holiday travel, so flexibility with midweek departure and return dates can cut fares substantially. Consider basic economy tickets from low-cost carriers and book 3–7 weeks in advance for domestic savings.
Nonstop economy flight times from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) vary by destination: ORD to New York (JFK/LGA) ~2–2.5 hours, ORD to Orlando (MCO) ~2.5–3 hours, ORD to Las Vegas (LAS) ~4 hours, ORD to Los Angeles (LAX) ~4.5 hours, ORD to Cancun (CUN) ~4.5 hours. These typical durations help you compare convenience versus connecting options when seeking the cheapest fare.
During peak summer travel such as July, low-cost carriers and some legacy carriers run promotional economy fares from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Southwest (where available), and seasonal sales from United and American often produce the lowest published fares. For best deals, subscribe to airline newsletters and enable fare alerts, since prices can fluctuate rapidly during summer demand spikes.
Cheapest economy fares (basic or economy saver) from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) usually include only a personal item; carry-on and checked bags are extra and vary by airline. Seat assignments may be optional or paid, so check the airline’s fare rules before booking. To avoid surprise fees, review the specific carrier’s baggage and seat policy and consider bundled fares when traveling with luggage.
Winter storms and operational delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) can increase the risk of cancellations and extended layovers, especially for economy travelers on tight itineraries. When booking the cheapest fares in winter, build in buffer time for connections and consider refundable or flexible ticket options for an extra layer of protection. Check flight status frequently and sign up for airline text alerts on travel days.
Travelers frequently use Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to reach nearby major cities and destinations including downtown Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, Madison, and popular vacation spots like Orlando, Las Vegas, Cancun, New York City, and Los Angeles. ORD’s broad route network and budget airline options make it a hub for both domestic and international economy travel.
Arriving at Chicago (ORD) FAQs
Cheapest Economy Fare (ECN) typically refers to the most restricted economy class ticket with the lowest base price, often resembling basic economy products. These fares usually restrict seat selection, changes, and baggage allowances compared with standard economy; some carriers also limit boarding priority. Review fare rules from the booking site and add protections like trip insurance if you purchase the lowest fare.
The cheapest economy fares are frequently found on high-competition domestic routes and popular vacation corridors such as ORD to Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and seasonal leisure routes like ORD to Cancun. Budget-friendly international routes often target leisure hubs with multiple carriers, creating price competition and low fares.
In March, especially during spring break, the cheapest economy fares require early planning: book at least 6–8 weeks ahead for popular destinations, travel midweek if possible, and consider nearby alternate airports. Use fare alerts and compare one-way combinations to lower overall costs during the high-demand spring break period.
To evaluate true cost, add baggage, seat selection, change fees, and any onboard purchase costs to the lowest base fare. Sometimes a slightly higher-priced standard economy that includes a carry-on and seat selection is more cost-effective overall than a cheapest economy fare with add-ons. Use the airline’s fare summary and third-party comparison tools to calculate the final door-to-door cost.
Most cheapest economy fares are non-refundable and have strict change penalties or no change allowed, though policies vary by airline and region. During irregular operations (like cancellations or significant delays), airlines will often rebook passengers; otherwise, consider buying refundable fares or travel insurance if flexibility matters.
1.0.2601.29
Events and Festivals That Impact Economy Airfares from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Major events around Chicago and in popular destination cities often drive significant spikes in economy fares. Notable examples: Lollapalooza (Chicago, July) increases domestic economy demand; Chicago Marathon (October) and Thanksgiving holidays raise prices at ORD; spring break (March) and summer travel peaks impact Orlando and beach destinations. To avoid higher economy prices, travel outside event weekends or book well in advance. Conversely, if attending a festival, purchase early and compare alternative nearby airports for cheaper economy itineraries. CTA: Check event dates before booking to either avoid price spikes or lock in early economy fares.
Best Time to Fly in Cheapest Economy from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The best time to fly cheapest economy from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is during shoulder months like January, February, September, and early November, when demand is lower and airlines offer discounted economy seats. For summer travel, book 6–10 weeks in advance; for winter holidays, secure tickets 2–4 months ahead. Midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) and off-peak hours typically yield lower economy fares. Use fare alerts and flexible-date searches to capture the optimal booking window for your preferred route.
Direct vs Connecting Flights: Choosing the Cheapest Economy Option from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Connecting flights often offer the cheapest economy fares from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), particularly when low-cost carriers or competing routings are involved. However, direct nonstop flights save time and reduce the risk of missed connections and delays. Evaluate savings versus additional travel time and the likelihood of disruptions; prefer connections through reliable hubs like Minneapolis (MSP), Denver (DEN), or Atlanta (ATL) if choosing the cheapest economy routing with a layover. For short trips, pay a modest premium for nonstop economy to preserve time and convenience.
Airline Comparison for Cheapest Economy Travel from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
At Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), legacy carriers like United and American offer frequent schedules and loyalty benefits, while low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier often post the cheapest base economy fares. Southwest and American may include a carry-on or more flexible rules depending on fare class. When comparing, always add ancillary fees (checked bags, seat selection, change fees) to the base fare; sometimes a higher-priced standard economy with baggage included is more economical overall than the cheapest economy fare. CTA: Compare total trip cost across carriers and use fare tools to reveal the true cheapest economy itinerary.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Booking the Cheapest Economy Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Winter (Dec–Feb): Anticipate weather delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD); book flexible or refundable fares if possible and allow extra connection time. Spring (Mar–May): Watch for spring-break spikes; book early for popular leisure routes. Summer (Jun–Aug): Peak demand—reserve economy seats well in advance and consider midweek or night flights for lower fares. Fall (Sep–Nov): Often the best season for cheap economy travel — look for September and early November bargains. Across seasons, pack light to avoid baggage fees on the cheapest economy fares, use airline apps for real-time status, and set multiple fare alerts to capture sudden price drops. CTA: Sign up for fare notifications and review seasonal checklists before booking your ORD economy trip.
Flight Time and Schedule Guide from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Typical nonstop economy flight durations from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) are: to New York (JFK/LGA) ~2–2.5 hours; to Orlando (MCO) ~2.5–3 hours; to Miami (MIA) ~3 hours; to Las Vegas (LAS) ~4 hours; to Los Angeles (LAX) ~4.5 hours; to Cancun (CUN) ~4.5 hours. For the cheapest schedules, target red-eye flights and midweek departures which often carry lower economy prices. When using connecting itineraries to save, prefer reliable hubs with short minimum connection times like Minneapolis (MSP), Denver (DEN), or Atlanta (ATL). Always compare total travel time plus connection reliability against the savings from cheap economy fares before booking.
Cheap Flights Guide: Finding the Best Economy Deals from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
To find cheap economy flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), use multiple fare tools (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak) and enable alerts for target routes. Search flexible dates and nearby airports (ORD vs. MDW) to compare savings, and consider one-way combinations of different carriers. Monitor low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier for flash sales, but add bag fees into the total price comparison. Use primary keywords such as 'cheap flights from ORD' and 'ORD economy deals' in searches and sign up for airline newsletters for exclusive promotions. Book midweek, travel off-peak, and use fare calendars to spot the cheapest economy windows. CTA: Start a 30-day price watch for your ORD route and compare fare classes to save on your next trip.