HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news

Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara (SBA) from $159

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 9/17. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
CHI — SBA
Jun 11 — Jun 181
From?
To?
Tue 6/11
Tue 6/18
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

The best prices from Chicago to Santa Barbara are usually found in January or February, booked 29 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Friday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara (SBA). 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 June 6, 2024.

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

January

Round-trip from

$238

One-way from

$203
High demand for flights, 15% potential price rise
Search Deals
Best time to find cheap flights, 22% potential price drop
Search Deals
From Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
Search Deals
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Santa Barbara
Search Deals

What is the cheapest day to fly round-trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

It’s generally more expensive to depart on a Tuesday, if you have to leave on this day you can still search on Cheapflights to find great options that meet your needs.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Users have found that booking a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara at least 39 days early can save you up to 60% on average compared to booking a flight this week. If booking 39 days before your flight isn’t an option for you, users have found flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara for as little as $318 when booking for a departure date within the next two weeks. You can also check prices now. Some users have found airline tickets as low as $452 for flights departing within the next 3 days.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Our data shows that September tends to be the cheapest month to fly to Santa Barbara from Chicago. Users have commonly found prices around $303 for the month, but tickets can be as low as $64. Due to multiple factors, prepare for potentially higher prices in March.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from CHI to SBA?

It’s typically best to fly out from Chicago to Santa Barbara at noon. Doing so could potentially save you 15% on the flight price compared to flying in the evening, which is usually more expensive.

Cheap Chicago to Santa Barbara flights in June & July 2024

Find cheap flight options from Chicago to Santa Barbara specifically for the months of June and July 2024. Explore affordable fares based on user searches. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 3,050,429 searches. Prices were last updated on June 6, 2024.
Check out some of the best flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara in 2024. Check back regularly for other flight deals.
Tue 7/25:34 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 10mAmerican Airlines
Tue 7/96:38 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 51mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$318
Tue 7/28:05 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 30mAmerican Airlines
Sun 7/79:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop5h 49mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/4$352
Wed 7/249:00 amORD - SBA
2 stops14h 00mDelta
Tue 7/307:35 amSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 10mDelta
Deal found 6/5$353
Wed 7/247:30 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 13mDelta
Tue 7/307:35 amSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 10mDelta
Deal found 6/5$372
Wed 7/37:24 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 22mDelta
Wed 7/107:35 amSBA - ORD
2 stops11h 22mDelta
Deal found 6/5$383
Sat 7/137:12 amORD - SBA
1 stop7h 10mAmerican Airlines
Sat 7/206:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 49mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$386
Thu 7/48:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop7h 21mAlaska Airlines
Wed 7/106:03 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 37mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/6$407
Wed 7/175:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop8h 27mAmerican Airlines
Mon 7/226:38 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 51mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$411
Fri 7/58:40 amORD - SBA
2 stops8h 39mAmerican Airlines
Fri 7/126:38 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 51mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/5$417

Chicago to Santa Barbara 2024 flight deals

Discover exclusive flight deals for travel between Chicago and Santa Barbara in 2024. Find excellent offers based on user searches. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 3,050,429 searches. Data last updated June 6, 2024.
Check out some of the best flight deals from Chicago to Santa Barbara in 2024. Check back regularly for other flight deals.
Tue 7/25:34 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 10mAmerican Airlines
Tue 7/96:38 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 51mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$318
Sat 10/268:40 amORD - SBA
1 stop11h 10mAlaska Airlines
Wed 10/306:58 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop27h 01mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/5$334
Wed 8/78:05 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 28mAmerican Airlines
Mon 8/126:49 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 02mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/5$338
Wed 8/712:02 pmORD - SBA
2 stops8h 14mAmerican Airlines
Mon 8/121:18 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 01mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$343
Fri 9/278:40 amORD - SBA
1 stop10h 48mAlaska Airlines
Mon 9/306:50 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop27h 09mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/5$346
Tue 7/28:05 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 30mAmerican Airlines
Sun 7/79:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop5h 49mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/4$352
Wed 7/249:00 amORD - SBA
2 stops14h 00mDelta
Tue 7/307:35 amSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 10mDelta
Deal found 6/5$353
Mon 9/304:41 pmORD - SBA
1 stop9h 15mUnited Airlines
Thu 10/36:45 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/6$354
Mon 9/305:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop8h 41mAmerican Airlines
Thu 10/34:12 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 04mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/6$358

One-way flights to Santa Barbara from Chicago

Search for one-way flight options from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Compare prices and availability to plan your one-way journey according to your preferred dates and budget. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 3,050,429 searches. Data last updated June 6, 2024.
Some of the best available deals we've found on one-way flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Those needing a return flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara can use the search form above.
Tue 9/173:42 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 29mDelta
Deal found 6/5$159
Sat 8/35:36 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 46mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/5$163
Tue 9/1710:00 amORD - SBA
2 stops13h 11mDelta
Deal found 6/5$164
Tue 6/183:10 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 59mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/4$178
Fri 8/23:50 pmORD - SBA
2 stops9h 53mDelta
Deal found 6/6$188
Fri 8/27:30 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 13mDelta
Deal found 6/6$193
Mon 9/28:40 amORD - SBA
1 stop10h 48mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/6$203
Fri 6/215:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop8h 35mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/4$208
Sat 8/312:00 pmORD - SBA
2 stops12h 22mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/5$213

Find flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from Chicago 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 3,050,429 searches. Data last updated June 6, 2024.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Budget

$318 - $372

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 7/2

1 stop7h 10m

Santa Barbara

Tue 7/9

1 stop8h 51m

$318

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 10/26

1 stop11h 10m

Santa Barbara

Wed 10/30

1 stop27h 01m

$334

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 8/7

1 stop6h 28m

Santa Barbara

Mon 8/12

1 stop9h 02m

$338

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 8/7

2 stops8h 14m

Santa Barbara

Mon 8/12

1 stop9h 01m

$343

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 9/27

1 stop10h 48m

Santa Barbara

Mon 9/30

1 stop27h 09m

$346

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 7/24

2 stops14h 00m

Santa Barbara

Tue 7/30

1 stop9h 10m

$353

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 9/30

1 stop9h 15m

Santa Barbara

Thu 10/3

1 stop8h 58m

$354

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 9/27

2 stops12h 28m

Santa Barbara

Mon 9/30

1 stop27h 09m

$364

Chicago O'Hare IntlSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 7/24

1 stop6h 13m

Santa Barbara

Tue 7/30

1 stop9h 10m

$372

Flights are sorted by cheapest first

Deals found on 6/6

How far ahead should I book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Price data was last updated on May 31, 2024.
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara, you should look to book at least 29 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.
Search Deals

What is the cheapest day to fly from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Price data was last updated on June 2, 2024.
Morning
Noon
Afternoon
Evening
All times are departure.
Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Chicago to Santa Barbara flight should consider departing on Wednesday at noon when fares are most often at their lowest. Thursday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
Search Deals

Best time to book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara

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

Temperature and rainfall in Santa Barbara by month

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

LAX

Temperature

57.2 - 73.4 °F

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 June 6, 2024.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines from Chicago to Santa Barbara to help guide your decision. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

7.9

Entertainment

7.3

Overall

8.1

Food

7.3

Reviews

1 / 10

Crew and airport staff were excellent. They accommodated my needs and were super professional and kind.

Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

7.9

Entertainment

7.3

Overall

8.1

Food

7.3

Reviews

1 / 10

Crew and airport staff were excellent. They accommodated my needs and were super professional and kind.

Delta
8.0
Very good
10,368 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

7.9

Entertainment

7.3

Overall

8.1

Food

7.3

Reviews

1 / 10

Crew and airport staff were excellent. They accommodated my needs and were super professional and kind.

United Airlines
7.4
Good
10,696 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

7.9

Entertainment

7.3

Overall

8.1

Food

7.3

Reviews

1 / 10

Crew and airport staff were excellent. They accommodated my needs and were super professional and kind.

American Airlines
7.3
Good
14,227 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
9,222 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

7.9

Entertainment

7.3

Overall

8.1

Food

7.3

Reviews

1 / 10

Crew and airport staff were excellent. They accommodated my needs and were super professional and kind.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Chicago 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 Chicago?

    For a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara, you will be flying into Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara (SBA) is just 8.0 mi from the center of the city. Santa Barbara is the only Santa Barbara airport and it handles 0 inbound flights from Chicago per day. 2 airlines have flights to Santa Barbara from Chicago on a regular basis.

  • Can I find flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara for under $400 on Cheapflights?

    Yes, there are multiple flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara for under $400. The cheapest flight booked recently is on American Airlines for just $318, but on average you can expect to pay $367.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara round-trip?

    American Airlines, at $318, was found to be the cheapest airline from Chicago to Santa Barbara.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include Alaska Airlines and Delta. These flights start at 32% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Delta, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $159. American Airlines flights start at $163 while deals on Alaska Airlines start at $203 one-way.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara? While on average our users pay $238, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $218. The most popular route (Chicago O'Hare Intl - Santa Barbara), is priced around $352.

  • What does ORD to SBA mean?

    Great question - ORD to SBA just means Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Santa Barbara Airport. Now you’ll know what these unique codes when you look for flights! This flight route has multiple associated airports, so we think it might be helpful to learn the name and codes of them as well. They are Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Chicago Greater Rockford Airport (RFD).

  • Can I find deals for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara that include extra baggage allowance?

    The amount of baggage you can bring on your Chicago to Santa Barbara flight depends on the airline and the type of fare you've chosen. After entering your flight details, you'll be able to view the specific baggage policies for each deal in the search results. Keep in mind that certain deals may offer additional baggage allowance.

  • Can I find deals on flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara with specific airlines?

    Yes, Cheapflights allows you to browse and filter Chicago to Santa Barbara flight deals by airline. After entering your origin and destination, use the available filters to view flights offered by airlines.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Chicago 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.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara that allow pets onboard?

    Many airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara offer the option to travel with pets. After selecting a flight deal, you can find more information about the airline's pet policy on their official website or by contacting the airline directly. Please note that additional fees and restrictions may apply.

  • Can I find deals on last-minute flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

    Yes, you can often find last-minute deals on Chicago to Santa Barbara flights on Cheapflights. However, these deals can vary and may not always be available. We recommend checking back frequently or signing up for price alerts for the most up-to-date deals.

  • How recently were the Chicago to Santa Barbara flight deals updated?

    The Chicago to Santa Barbara flight deals you see on this page were last updated on 6/6.

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

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Santa Barbara (average of $359). Flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $515). 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Chicago to Santa Barbara
See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

O'Hare Intl to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to San Francisco flights
O'Hare Intl to San Diego flights
Midway to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to Ontario flights
O'Hare Intl to Burbank flights
Midway to Las Vegas flights
O'Hare Intl to Oakland flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Ana flights
Midway to Ontario flights
St. Louis to Las Vegas flights
Midway to San Diego flights
St. Louis to Los Angeles flights
Midway to San Francisco flights
O'Hare Intl to Sacramento flights
O'Hare Intl to San Jose flights
O'Hare Intl to Reno flights
O'Hare Intl to Palm Springs flights
Rockford to Las Vegas flights
Midway to Santa Ana flights
St. Louis to San Francisco flights
St. Louis to Ontario flights
O'Hare Intl to Fresno flights
Midway to Sacramento flights
Midway to San Jose flights
Midway to Palm Springs flights
Midway to Reno flights
St. Louis to San Diego flights
St. Louis to Sacramento flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Barbara flights
Peoria to Las Vegas flights
St. Louis to San Jose flights
Bloomington to Las Vegas flights
Moline to Los Angeles flights
O'Hare Intl to Long Beach flights
Moline to Las Vegas flights
St. Louis to Santa Ana flights
Midway to Fresno flights
O'Hare Intl to Tijuana flights
Moline to Burbank flights
Midway to Oakland flights
O'Hare Intl to Medford flights
St. Louis to Palm Springs flights
Bloomington to San Francisco flights
O'Hare Intl to Santa Rosa flights
St. Louis to Oakland flights
St. Louis to Burbank flights
St. Louis to Reno flights
Evansville to Las Vegas flights

Top 2 airlines flying from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 2 airlines that operate flights from Chicago 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 3,050,429 searches. Data last updated June 6, 2024.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$312Average$484FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$343Average$500FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
USA to Australia flights
Seattle to Spokane flights
San Jose to Los Angeles flights
Seattle to Orlando flights
New York to New Orleans flights
Seattle to Austin flights
Chicago to Hyderabad flights
San Francisco to Mumbai flights
San Francisco to Paris flights
Atlanta to Tampa flights
Seattle to Maui flights
Chicago to Gustavia flights

Search flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara by cabin class

Find flights from Chicago to Santa Barbara, based on your preferred cabin class, be it economy, premium economy, business, or first class.
First Class
Business Class
Prem Econ Class
Economy Class

Hourly flight availability from Chicago to Santa Barbara

Find hourly flight availability from Chicago 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 June 6, 2024.
0%of flight departuresEarly morningMidnight to 6 am
0%of flight departuresMorning6 am to noon
100%of flight departuresAfternoonNoon to 6 pm
0%of flight departuresEvening6 pm to midnight
Midnight
6 AM
Noon
6 PM

Book a flight to one of these trending destinations

User searches for flights to these destinations increased 20% or more in the past 90 days compared to other destinations
Flights to Gaziantep
Flights to Miyakojima Hirara
Flights to Figari-Sud Corse
Flights to Mason City
Flights to Komatsu
Flights to Sendai
Flights to Rhinelander Oneida County
Flights to Constanţa Mihail Kogalniceanu
Flights to Brainerd Crow Wing County
Flights to Reus
Flights to Virac
Flights to Neiva La Marguita
Flights to Pellston Emmet County
Flights to Urumqi
Flights to Bastia Poretta
Flights to Samos
Flights to Hyannis Barnstable
Flights to Provincetown
Flights to Alghero-Fertilia
Flights to Laayoune Hassan I
Flights to Devils Lake
Flights to Vava'u Lupepau'U
Flights to Hakodate
Flights to Edremit/Korfez
100% Free
Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.
Book with Flexibility
Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees
Travel Smart
Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.
View all available airlines