10 Expert Tips for a Smooth and Stress-Free Experience At Chicago O'Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving about 83 million people per year. It is the headquarters of United Airlines and serves most major national and international airlines. It is widely considered an excellent US airport with clean facilities, countless dining options, and unique features like a yoga room and garden. However, compared to some international airports with more sleeping and shopping options, O'Hare falls short.
 
The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion at Terminal 5, the international terminal, which will include more gates, restaurants, and facilities. The new design, led by famed architect Jeanne Gang, will merge domestic and international terminals, incorporating more light and greenery.
 

Important Details Of Chicago O’Hare Airport

 
Feature Details
Airport Code ORD
Distance to Downtown 15 miles
Transport Options Train, Taxi, Rideshare
Airlines Served Many, including Southwest, Delta, United, American, and others
Hubs For United Airlines, American Airlines
Focus Cities For Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines
Domestic Nonstop Flights 167 cities
International Nonstop Flights 61 countries
Terminals 4
Concourses 9
Gates 191
On-Time Departures 75%
On-Time Arrivals 75%
Average Security Wait 15 minutes
Airport Hours Open 24 hours
Checkpoint Hours Terminal 1: 4 am-8:30 pm
Terminal 2: 4 am-8:30 pm
Terminal 3: 3:15 am-10 pm
Terminal 5: 24 hours
 

Traveling Between Terminals

Domestic Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected, allowing passengers to walk between them via moving sidewalks and escalators. The walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 takes about 10 minutes, and from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 can take up to 20 minutes.
Terminal 5, serving international flights, is not connected to the domestic terminals. It is accessible via the Airport Transit System (ATS), a train shuttle operating from 5 am to 10:30 pm. Outside these hours, shuttle buses operate 24/7.
 

Airlines Flying From ORD

Terminal Airlines
Terminal 1 All Nippon, United Airlines (departures)
Terminal 2 Air Canada, Delta, Delta Shuttle, JetBlue
Terminal 3 Air Choice One, American Airlines (departures), Boutique Air, Cape Air, Denver Air Connection (Key Lime Air), Iberia Airlines (departures), Japan Airlines, Spirit Airlines
Terminal 5 Southwest, Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air France, Air India, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and more
 

How To Get From ORD to Downtown Chicago

The CTA Blue Line provides 24-hour service from the airport to downtown Chicago. The train is located on the lower level of Terminal 2 and takes about 40-55 minutes depending on your destination.
Taxis and rideshares like Uber and Lyft are also available, with pick-up zones outside each terminal. Travel time varies based on traffic.
 

Final Words

Chicago O'Hare International Airport offers a range of amenities to ensure a smooth travel experience, including fast security checks and efficient connections between terminals. For those driving, valet parking services like Zal Parking can make the experience stress-free, providing secure parking options close to the terminal.