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.