Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) serves as the main gateway for Chicago and a major hub for both United and American Airlines. The airport, along with Midway, connects the Chicago area with more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide.
During peak periods, American and United alone schedule over 1,000 daily flights from O’Hare, with total daily flights well exceeding that number, handling nearly 74 million passengers each year. As you might expect from those numbers, O’Hare is large, crowded and a popular layover spot for international travelers.
Terminals at O’Hare
O’Hare has four terminals: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5. Most connections happen within the same terminal or adjacent terminals.
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 connect airside so you can walk between them, though distances can be great—it can take 30 minutes or more to get from the end of one terminal to the end of another.
If you need to transfer between Terminals 1, 2 or 3 and Terminal 5, you’ll have to take the Terminal Transfer Bus, which is airside, or you’ll have to leave the secure area and take the Airport Transit System (ATS) train.
The bus only runs between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm, while the ATS runs 24 hours a day. I’d recommend taking the Terminal Transfer Bus so you don’t have to go through security again.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the hub for United, and it’s split into two concourses, B and C, which are separated by a long tunnel with moving walkways. There’s a fun light installation here that makes this passageway something of a photo or video opportunity. Or at the very least, it’s pleasant to walk through. The concourses are quite long, with considerable distance between the farthest gates.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 houses various airlines, check with your carrier for current terminal assignments. It’s a smaller terminal than the others, split into Concourses E and F. The concourses form a Y shape, making it relatively quick to move between gates within this terminal. But if you need to connect between Terminals 1 and 2, it can be a lengthy walk.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the primary terminal for American Airlines, as well as home to other carriers, plus a handful of international airline departures and smaller regional airlines. It’s a large terminal with four concourses: G, H, K and L (including the L Stinger). It can easily take 20 minutes to walk from end to end. Fortunately, if you’re arriving in Terminal 3, you’ll likely be connecting in the same terminal, unless you’re traveling internationally and need to get to Terminal 5.
Terminal 5
Though international flights can depart from any terminal, most international airlines fly out of Terminal 5. Most international flights arrive at Terminal 5, though flights with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance may arrive at Terminals 1, 2, or 3. It’s also the main terminal for Delta, flying both domestically and internationally. It has just one concourse, Concourse M, but it’s a long concourse, taking about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from end to end.
Since Terminal 5 isn’t connected by walkways to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, transfers between them require either the Terminal Transfer Bus (which runs every 15 minutes from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm) or the ATS train. It can take longer if you take the ATS, as you’ll have to wait in the security line again.
The best way to get to downtown Chicago from O’Hare
I recommend taking the train from O’Hare to downtown Chicago—it runs 24 hours per day and isn’t impacted by traffic. O’Hare sits about 15 miles from downtown, and while that doesn’t sound far, driving can take a long time due to the notorious traffic in Chicago. Here’s what you need to know about your transportation options.
Train
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train connects O’Hare with downtown Chicago in about 40 to 45 minutes. More specifically, it takes you to the Loop, where you can connect to just about any other CTA train line. With a Ventra card or contactless payment, transfers to up to two other lines (or buses) within two hours are free.
Car
If there’s absolutely no traffic, it’ll take about 25 minutes to drive from O’Hare to downtown Chicago. Unfortunately there’s often heavy traffic in Chicago that’ll significantly increase drive time, particularly with the ongoing Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation project. Try to avoid driving during the morning and evening rush hours to skip the worst traffic, though construction delays can occur at any time.
It’s worth noting that Chicago has excellent public transportation, so it’s not necessary to rent a car if you’re staying in the area. If you’d prefer to take a taxi or a rideshare, there are plenty available at O’Hare. I’d recommend checking the traffic before hopping in a car, though, as the train might ultimately be faster. And far cheaper!
TSA security wait times
O’Hare is a very busy airport. During peak travel times, security wait times can exceed the TSA standard benchmark of 30 minutes for regular lanes, though TSA aims to keep PreCheck lanes under 10 minutes. Check the MyTSA app for current conditions before you arrive.
TSA PreCheck lanes are available for expedited security screening for those enrolled in the program. CLEAR offers TSA PreCheck enrollment services nationally, though specific lane availability should be confirmed directly with CLEAR.
Lounges at O’Hare
O’Hare has numerous lounges throughout its terminals. Most are affiliated with airlines—United, American and Delta all have lounges here, with Delta’s Sky Club confirmed in Terminal 5. Check with United and American for their premium lounge offerings and access requirements.
Priority Pass members should check current participating lounges at O’Hare through the Priority Pass website.
Things to do during a layover at O’Hare
O’Hare is a major layover city, so there’s a good chance you might find yourself with a few hours to spend here. In many cases, it’s better to stay at the airport, as getting around Chicago takes some time, and the airport’s security lines can get long. But if you have an extended layover, leaving the airport is definitely possible.
Less than four hours
Stay put at O’Hare with a short layover. There’s plenty to do here, from visiting airport lounges to doing a little shopping to trying out some local eats. I’m a fan of Bar Siena in Terminal 5, Tortas Frontera in Terminals 1 and 2 and Publican Tavern in Terminal 3.
Four to six hours
It’s possible to leave the airport with a little more time, but I wouldn’t go very far. Just outside the airport in Rosemont is an entertainment district with a bowling alley, movie theater, outlet mall and several restaurants, including Dave and Buster’s. If you’re itching to get out of the airport, this is a good place to spend some time without having to travel too far.
Six or more hours
With six hours, it’s possible to go all the way to downtown Chicago to pop into a museum like the Art Institute of Chicago, view the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as “The Bean”) or even take a short architecture cruise. Just remember to allow plenty of time to return and clear security. Check with your airline for recommended arrival times.
If you have an overnight layover, or you just want to get some rest, you can book a stay at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare. If you don’t need a room, you can also purchase a guest pass to its health club, which has a pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and gym.
Alternative airports in Chicago
There’s one main alternative airport to O’Hare: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). While it’s a smaller airport than O’Hare, it serves various domestic carriers and budget airlines—check with individual airlines for their Midway service.
Many travelers have a love-hate relationship with Midway. Some love it because it’s a smaller airport and therefore typically has smaller crowds than O’Hare. Some hate it because it has far fewer amenities, like lounges, restaurants and shops. I find Midway to be pretty crowded for a major city’s secondary airport, but I do find security lines to be shorter here than at O’Hare. Plus, the airport is smaller and easier to navigate.
How to get from O’Hare (ORD) to Midway (MDW)
Transfers between O’Hare and Midway are fairly easy, but not necessarily fast. The most affordable option is taking the train: Take the Blue Line train from O’Hare to downtown (such as Clark/Lake Station), then transfer to the Orange Line. The Orange Line terminates at Midway. Total travel time varies depending on transfer wait times, use the CTA trip planner for current schedules. Taxis or rideshares can be faster, though drive times vary significantly with traffic conditions and the ongoing Kennedy Expressway construction. Check real-time navigation and allow extra time.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
