Travelling from Chicago to Sacramento: what you need to know
Start your journey at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Sacramento departing from either of these.
The primary hubs where you can touch down in Sacramento are Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and Stockton Airport (SCK).
The average duration of a direct flight from Chicago to Sacramento is 4 hours 31 minutes. Sacramento's timezone is UTC-7, making Sacramento 2 hours behind Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 42 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Chicago to Sacramento is with United Airlines at 21:30. Go for the first ORD to SMF departure operated by United Airlines at 07:20 to maximize your time in Sacramento.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chicago to Sacramento, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Once you've booked your cheap flights from Chicago to Sacramento, get your documents ready. A passport or visa isn't necessary since you're travelling within United States. As long as you have some other valid proof of identity, such as a driver's licence or an ID card, you're all set.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
If you're after a direct flight from Chicago to Sacramento, they're available from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Fly from ORD to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) in one seamless journey.
When jetting out of ORD, you can take a direct flight from Chicago to Sacramento with United Airlines.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Chicago to Sacramento. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Located around 40 kilometres from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport takes roughly 54 minutes.
After an easy start to your travels? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Sacramento or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Make the most of your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Chicago to Sacramento. Visit family or friends or tick another city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, here's where you can stop between O'Hare International Airport and Sacramento:
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in about 46 minutes. The airport is roughly 19 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 21 minutes.
Kick off your vacation early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Sacramento, kick back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport:
Arriving in Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to central Sacramento is roughly 19 kilometres. It takes around 17 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling by public transport will take you around 24 minutes.
Consider staying at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas after your flight from Chicago to Sacramento. It's a quick drive from SMF and a comfortable option if you're eager to unwind not long after landing.
Stockton Airport (SCK)
Stockton Airport (SCK) is about 88 kilometres from the centre of Sacramento. Once you've hopped off your flight from Chicago to Sacramento, expect a drive time of approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take about 3 hours and 18 minutes.
After your flight from Chicago to Sacramento, head for the comforts of a hotel near SCK. Consider staying at Holiday Inn Express Stockton Southeast. Hampton Inn by Hilton Stockton is another place where you can rest up before exploring the city.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Sacramento
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Sacramento is C$110. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$221. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book 9 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap flights from Chicago to Sacramento.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Sacramento. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flights from Chicago to Sacramento. There's no need to search every day to see whether prices have dropped. We'll update you the moment there's a change in price.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Chicago to Sacramento, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Sacramento
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Chicago to Sacramento. August is the busiest month to travel to Sacramento. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
Book your flight from Chicago to Sacramento for July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Sacramento to range from 15ºC to 37ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 17ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Sacramento sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Sacramento
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Sacramento right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Chicago to Sacramento:
Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Crocker Art Museum are just two of the leading attractions to put on your Sacramento to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Discovery Park.
Complete your Sacramento trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Chicago to Sacramento isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Sacramento and explore at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.