Chicago Airport Guide

O'Hare is manageable once you know one distinction: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 connect after security, while Terminal 5 is a separate building with a conditional airside bus link. Check the terminal and gate for both flights before you start walking.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is about 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and is a major hub for United and American. Its four passenger terminals are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5—there is no Terminal 4. Terminal 5 handles many international flights as well as some domestic operations, so do not infer the terminal from whether a flight crosses a border.

For a same-day connection, the secure Terminal Transfer Bus can save a second security check between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 or 3 when it is running and you meet the boarding requirements. Otherwise, use the landside Airport Transit System (ATS) and clear security at the onward terminal.

Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

Chicago has two major airports, and connecting between them is common for Southwest passengers.

Midway (MDW) is Southwest Airlines' Chicago hub, located 25 km southwest of O'Hare on Chicago's South Side. It's closer to downtown Chicago than O'Hare (10 miles vs 17 miles).

Airlines at Midway:

• Southwest Airlines (dominant, 95%+ of flights)
• Delta (limited service)
• Volaris, Frontier (seasonal)

When you might connect between ORD and MDW:

• International arrival at O'Hare, domestic connection on Southwest
• Southwest flight landing at Midway, international departure from O'Hare
• Separate ticket bookings on different carriers

Connecting between O'Hare and Midway:

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
CTA Orange + Blue Lines	75-90 min	$5	Transfer downtown at Clark/Lake
Taxi/Uber	45-75 min	$50-80	Traffic dependent
Rideshare during rush hour	90+ min	$60-100	Avoid if possible

Step-by-step CTA route:

1. From O'Hare: Take Blue Line toward Forest Park
2. Transfer at Clark/Lake to Orange Line toward Midway
3. Orange Line terminates at Midway station

Minimum connection time: Allow 3-4 hours between separate bookings. Rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm) requires 4-5 hours. The CTA is reliable but the transfer downtown adds time.

Pro tip: If connecting between airports, avoid checking bags if possible. With separate tickets, you'll need to collect and re-check luggage.

Direct answer: walk after security between Terminals 1, 2, and 3. For Terminal 5, first check whether the secure Terminal Transfer Bus is operating for your connection; use the landside ATS when it is not.

Terminal Layout

O'Hare's terminals are arranged in a linear configuration with Terminals 1, 2, and 3 on the main campus and Terminal 5 located to the east:

• Terminals 1–2–3: connected post-security by signed walkways
• Terminal 5: separate building; linked to Terminals 1 and 3 by a limited-hours secure bus and to every terminal by the landside ATS

Getting Between Terminals

Method	When to Use	Frequency
Walk (airside)	Between T1, T2, T3	Always available
ATS Train	Landside travel between any terminals, including T5	Runs 24 hours; check live signs
Walk (landside)	T1-T2-T3 only	Always available
Terminal Transfer Bus	Eligible same-day connections between T1, T3, and T5	11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily

The ATS (Airport Transit System) is the free, landside automated people mover linking all terminals and the Multi-Modal Facility. It operates 24 hours a day, subject to service interruptions. Because it is outside security, using it during a connection means clearing TSA screening at your onward terminal.

Walking tip: Between adjacent terminals (T1-T2 or T2-T3), walking is often faster than waiting for the ATS, especially if you're traveling light.

The official transfer-bus guide lists stops at Terminal 1 Gate C18B, Terminal 3 Gates G17 and K20, and Terminal 5 Gate M13. A same-day onward boarding pass is required. The bus is scheduled every 15 minutes during its operating window, but construction can move a stop—follow the current signs rather than an old screenshot.

How much connection time to allow at ORD

Use the minimum accepted by your airline for the exact itinerary, not a generic online table. Our preference is at least 90 minutes for a domestic connection that changes terminals and two and a half hours or more after a non-precleared international arrival. Choose more for a Terminal 5 move outside transfer-bus hours, separate tickets, checked baggage, or mobility assistance.

International Arrivals (Terminal 5)

If you arrive from outside the United States without preclearance:

1. Exit plane at Terminal 5
2. Clear immigration
3. Collect checked bags at carousel
4. Clear customs
5. Re-check bags at transfer desk if continuing domestically
6. Take ATS to your domestic terminal (T1, T2, or T3)
7. Clear security again at your departing terminal

All non-precleared international arrivals complete CBP processing and then clear TSA security for the onward flight. The Terminal Transfer Bus does not bypass this arrival process; it is useful once you are back inside the secure area or for eligible domestic-to-international moves.

Construction Advisory: O'Hare is undergoing a major expansion project through the late 2020s and early 2030s. Expect shifting gates and longer walk times. Build extra buffer into connection times.

O'Hare is located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Travel times vary significantly based on traffic:

• Downtown Chicago (Loop): 35-60 minutes by car, longer during rush hour
• Magnificent Mile/Near North: 30-50 minutes
• Suburbs (Rosemont, Schaumburg): 10-25 minutes

The most reliable option for getting downtown is the CTA Blue Line, which operates 24/7 and avoids traffic entirely. During peak traffic hours (7-9am, 4-7pm weekdays), public transit is often faster than driving.

Uber and Lyft are available at O'Hare. Standard rideshare pickups are centralized at Terminal 2, Departures Level, with orange pickup-zone signs from 2A through 2G.

To reach the rideshare zone:

• From Terminal 1: Go upstairs, exit Door 1G, turn right and walk to Terminal 2
• From Terminal 3: Go upstairs, exit Door 3A, turn left and walk to Terminal 2
• From Terminal 5: Take the ATS to Terminal 2

Premium services (Uber Black, Lyft Lux) pick up on the Arrivals level at any terminal.

App-based fares vary with demand. Taxis are available at the lower-level curb outside each terminal; use the official taxi stand and check the current airport surcharge notice before boarding.

Best default for downtown Chicago: take the CTA Blue Line. It serves O'Hare 24 hours a day, avoids expressway traffic, and connects with most other CTA rail lines in the city. Check the official CTA alert and trip-planning pages before setting out, especially during overnight maintenance.

Getting to the CTA Station

• Terminals 1, 2, 3: Follow "Trains to City" signs through the pedestrian tunnels at the basement level
• Terminal 5: Take the ATS to Terminal 2 or 3, then follow signs to the CTA

Pay with a Ventra card, a contactless bank card, or a compatible mobile wallet at the fare gates. The airport-origin fare can differ from the standard CTA rail fare, so check the live CTA fare table rather than relying on an older fixed price.

Journey to Downtown

1. Board any Blue Line train at O'Hare (all trains go to downtown)
2. Allow roughly 40 to 45 minutes to Clark/Lake in the Loop before any service delay
3. Continue on Blue Line or transfer to other CTA lines

O'Hare offers multiple parking options at varying price points (as of 2025):

Economy Lots

Lot	Daily Rate	Location	Notes
Lot G	$15/day	2 miles from terminals	Most economical; shuttle to Lot E, then ATS to terminals
Lot E	$17/day	Connected to ATS	Direct ATS access
Lot F	$22/day	Multi-Modal Facility	Covered parking, ATS access

Garage Parking

Location	Daily Rate	Notes
Main Garage (Lots B, C)	$42/day	Closest to Terminals 1, 2, 3
Terminal 5 Lot	$42/day	Short-term and daily parking for T5

Short-term rates: $3/hour in all lots

Off-site alternatives: Private lots on Mannheim Road offer rates from $7-12/day with shuttle service. Pre-booking is recommended.

O'Hare has significantly expanded its dining options. Highlights by terminal:

Terminal 1 (United):

• Tortas Frontera (near gate B11): Rick Bayless's acclaimed Mexican sandwiches
• The Berghoff Cafe: Classic Chicago German fare
• Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar: Fresh sushi and seafood

Terminal 2:

• Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar
• Reggio's Chicago Style Pizzeria: Deep dish pizza
• Dunkin': 24-hour locations for late-night options

Terminal 3 (American):

• Tortas Frontera (near gate K4): Same quality as Terminal 1 location
• Publican Tavern: Chicago institution known for beer and pork
• Bubbles Wine Bar: Wine selection with small plates
• Half Moon Empanadas: Authentic Argentinian empanadas (opened 2024)

Terminal 5 (International):

• Options more limited; most dining is pre-security
• Dunkin' for quick service

Late-night dining: Dunkin' has 24/7 locations. Most other restaurants close between 9-10pm.

Free unlimited WiFi is available throughout all terminals at O'Hare.

Network name: _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi

To connect:

1. Select _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi from your device's network settings
2. Open a browser and select "Watch Ad to Connect"
3. Accept terms and conditions

The service is provided by Boingo Wireless. Average speeds are around 20 Mbps—adequate for browsing and email, but streaming may buffer during peak hours. Faster WiFi is available in airline lounges.

SIM cards and mobile services are available at several locations throughout the airport:

• InMotion Entertainment stores (multiple terminals)
• Best Buy Express kiosks (various terminals)
• Carrier stores in arrivals areas

Major US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) offer prepaid SIM options starting around $30-50 for basic plans. Consider pre-ordering a SIM for pickup or using an eSIM for faster activation.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, typically near security checkpoints, food courts, and gate areas. Major banks represented include:

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Citibank
• BMO Harris (regional)

Out-of-network withdrawal fees are typically $3-5.

Currency exchange: Travelex and other exchange services operate in Terminals 1, 3, and 5. As with most airports, exchange rates include significant markups. Using your bank's ATM or a service like Wise is usually more economical.

Duty-free shopping is available for international departures:

• Terminal 5 (near Gate M20): Main duty-free location with fragrances, spirits, cosmetics, and confections
• Terminal 1 (Concourse C): Duty-free shop
• Terminal 3 (Concourse K): Duty-free shop

General retail in all terminals includes:

• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• InMotion Entertainment: Electronics and accessories
• Local Chicago souvenirs: Available in multiple shops

Duty-free prices on liquor are competitive, but other items are often cheaper outside the airport. The Reserve & Collect service allows pre-ordering online for Terminal 5 pickup.

O'Hare has numerous lounge options depending on your airline status and credit card benefits.

Priority Pass Lounges

• Swissport Lounge (Terminal 5, near Gate M15): Basic amenities. Note: Access restricted 3pm-8:30pm during peak international departures due to capacity.
• Air France Lounge (Terminal 5): Opened October 2025. Priority Pass access available outside 12pm-5pm (during those hours, SkyTeam passengers only). 105 seats, open 5am-11:30pm daily.

Airline Lounges

Terminal 1:

• United Club (multiple locations): United status or paid membership
• United Polaris Lounge: Business/First class on long-haul international United flights

Terminal 3:

• Admirals Club (multiple locations): American Airlines status or membership
• Flagship Lounge: First/Business class on premium American flights

Terminal 5:

• Delta Sky Club: Delta status or membership
• LOT Polish Airlines Lounge: Opened 2024
• Air France Lounge: SkyTeam and Priority Pass (see hours above)

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X cardholders get Priority Pass access for Terminal 5 lounges
• Chase Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass membership

On-airport:

• Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport: The only hotel inside the airport, connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via underground walkways. Also connected to the CTA Blue Line. Rooms feature soundproof windows and blackout curtains. Rates typically $150-350/night.

Near airport (with shuttle service):

• Hyatt Regency O'Hare: Full-service hotel in Rosemont
• Marriott Chicago O'Hare: Convention hotel near entertainment district
• Hampton Inn O'Hare: Budget-friendly option with free shuttle
• Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area: Affordable with 24-hour shuttle

For budget options, hotels along Mannheim Road offer rates from $80-120/night with airport shuttles.

Chicago offers world-class attractions accessible from O'Hare:

• Downtown Loop & Millennium Park: 45-50 minutes via Blue Line
• Magnificent Mile (shopping): 40-45 minutes via Blue Line to Grand
• Wrigley Field (Cubs): 35-40 minutes via Blue Line to Addison
• Navy Pier: 50-55 minutes via Blue Line + bus or walk
• Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium): 55-60 minutes

Getting around Chicago: The CTA train and bus system covers the city well. A 1-day unlimited pass ($5) is worthwhile for exploring. Rideshare is widely available.

Weather note: Chicago winters are harsh. From November through March, dress warmly and allow extra time for transportation due to potential snow and ice delays.

Chicago classics to try: Deep-dish pizza (Lou Malnati's, Giordano's), Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches.