Chicago Airport: Easy To Navigate?

Chicago is home to two international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare, located 15-20 miles from downtown Chicago, is the fourth busiest airport in the world and the second busiest in the US. It has four terminals, housing over 190 gates, with plenty of dining options, retail shops, and seating areas. Midway, located 11 miles from downtown, is the nation's premier point-to-point airport, offering value-oriented travel to over 60 destinations. Both airports are easily accessible from downtown Chicago via the L train, with the Blue Line serving O'Hare and the Orange Line serving Midway.

Transport options to/from the airport

There are several transport options for getting to and from Chicago's airports. The city is served by two international airports, O'Hare and Midway, and one private aviation airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line 'L' Train runs 24/7 and connects directly to O'Hare International Airport. The CTA Orange Line 'L' Train connects directly to Midway International Airport. The 'L' train is the most budget-friendly and efficient way to get to and from the airport. At O'Hare, follow the signs for "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City" in the pedestrian tunnel near elevator centre 4, as the train platforms are located underneath the baggage claim area. At Midway, follow the signs to the train station.

Taxis, Lyft, and Uber pick-up points are available at both O'Hare and Midway airports. Taxi stands can be found at the baggage claim level outside the terminals. Alternatively, you can e-hail and e-pay with CHICABS-approved apps ARRO and CURB. Credit cards are accepted in all taxis.

GO Airport Express provides shared ride services to all downtown/suburban hotels.

Car rental companies have facilities at both O'Hare and Midway airports. At O'Hare, the rental companies are located in a separate building from the airport, which can be accessed via a shuttle from the arrival level. At Midway, you can catch a shuttle to the rental companies from the doors near baggage claim.

Limousine and chauffeur services are also available in Chicago.

For those looking for a more personalised experience, hired cars and shuttle services can be arranged in advance. These options are more expensive than public transportation but offer a comfortable and convenient way to get to and from the airport.

Terminal connections

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is composed of four interconnecting terminals, each with food and shopping options. The terminals are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5, with the first three terminals considered domestic terminals. Terminal 5 is the international terminal.

Getting Between Terminals

The three domestic terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways, making them easy to traverse. The walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 takes about 10 minutes, while the walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 can take up to 20 minutes if walking from the farthest gate to the farthest gate.

Unlike the domestic terminals, you cannot walk to Terminal 5. To get to Terminal 5 from the other terminals, you can take the Airport Transit System (ATS), a train shuttle service that runs from 5 am to 10:30 pm daily. If you are connecting outside of those hours, a 24/7 shuttle bus is also available. The ATS takes about 10 minutes to complete its entire circuit, and it is also a more child-friendly option if you are travelling with kids and luggage.

Tips for Terminal Connections

• If you notice that security at one terminal is taking less time than another, consider going through security at the faster terminal and then walking to your desired terminal.
• If you have time before your flight, take advantage of the amenities offered at the airport, such as the yoga room in Terminal 3, the play area for kids, or the various dining and shopping options.
• If you are transferring from a domestic to an international flight or vice versa, allow for enough connection time. A minimum of one hour is recommended for domestic-to-international connections, and two hours for international-to-domestic connections.

Security and customs information

Chicago has two international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare is the second busiest airport in the US, with four terminals: three domestic and one international. Midway is the nation's premier point-to-point airport, offering value-oriented business and leisure travel to over 60 destinations.

When travelling to and from Chicago, it is important to carry a REAL ID or another accepted form of identification to board a flight within the US. From May 7, 2025, a traditional driver's license will no longer be accepted through airport security for domestic travel. Accepted forms of identification include:

• REAL ID
• U.S. passport or passport card
• DHS trusted traveller cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Enhanced driver's licenses (marked with a U.S. flag) from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington

For international arrivals at O'Hare International Airport, Terminal 5 is the designated terminal. The CBP office is located on the lower level, opposite baggage carousel 12. This office handles deferred inspections, the Global Entry program, and FINCEN and CARNET services. Public parking is available directly across from Terminal 5 in the short-term parking lot.

When travelling to downtown Chicago from O'Hare, follow the signs for "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City" to access the "L" train. The train platforms are located underneath the baggage claim area. The Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train travels between O'Hare and the Chicago Loop, taking approximately 45 minutes. The fare is $5 for a single ticket, with reduced fares for children aged 7-11 and seniors over 65. Military personnel in full uniform and children under 7 with a paid adult fare travel for free.

Dining options

Chicago is a foodie city, so it's no surprise that its airports offer a wide range of dining options. Here's a detailed breakdown of the dining options at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.

O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

O'Hare International Airport has four terminals, each with its own selection of dining options. Here's a closer look at what each terminal has to offer:

Terminal 1:

• Uno's Pizza Express, Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Billy Goat Tavern and Grill, Berghoff Cafe, Ciao Gourmet Market, Eli's Cheesecake, and La Tapenade Mediterranean Cafe are some of the dining options available in Terminal 1.
• For coffee and pastries, there's Starbucks, Cafe Descartes, and Cafe Zoot.
• If you're looking for a quick bite, try America's Dog, Brioche Doree, or McDonald's.
• For something more substantial, there's Chili's, Tuscany Cafe, or Wolfgang Express.

Terminal 2:

• Wicker Park Seafood and Sushi, Stanley's Blackhawks Kitchen & Tap, and Summer House Santa Monica offer a variety of dining options in Terminal 2.
• For coffee and snacks, there's Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and Farmer's Fridge.
• La Tapenade, Sky Bridge Bar & Grill, and Wicker Park Seafood and Sushi Bar offer a more upscale dining experience.

Terminal 3:

• Terminal 3 has a variety of dining options, including Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, O'Brien's Restaurant and Bar, Brioche Doree, Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill, and Gold Coast Dogs.
• For coffee and pastries, there's Starbucks and Fulton Street Cafe.
• If you're craving a burger, try Burger Federation or McDonald's.
• For a taste of Italy, there's Macaroni Grill and Publican Tavern.

Terminal 5:

• Terminal 5 has several dining options, including Big Bowl, RJ Grunts Burgers, The Goddess and the Grocer, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe.
• For coffee and snacks on the go, there's Metropolis Coffee Company, Protein Bar, and Publican Quality Bread.
• If you're looking for a sit-down meal, try Bar Siena, Butcher & The Burger, or The Hampton Social.
• For a taste of Mexico, there's Tortas Frontera and Hub 51.

Midway International Airport (MDW)

Midway International Airport also offers a variety of dining options for travellers:

• America's Dog & Burger, Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Big Shoulders Coffee, Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, and Dunkin' Donuts Express are among the dining options available.
• For coffee and pastries, there's Einstein Bros. Bagels and Garrett Popcorn Shops.
• Harry Caray's Shortstop and White Sox Bar & Grill offer a more substantial meal.
• Nuts on Clark and Garrett Popcorn Shops are great options for snacks on the go.

Airport lounges

Chicago has two major commercial airports: Chicago-O'Hare and Chicago-Midway. Chicago-O'Hare is the fourth busiest airport in the world and second in the U.S. It is located 16-20 miles from downtown Chicago and has four terminals, three domestic and one international. Chicago-Midway is 11 miles from downtown Chicago and is the nation's premier point-to-point airport.

There are several airport lounges in Chicago offering a quiet space to relax before your flight.

Chicago-O'Hare Terminal 1: United Clubs and Polaris Lounge

Terminal 1 is primarily used by United Airlines and select partners. It has four lounges for passengers travelling on United and partner carriers.

• United Clubs – Hot and cold buffet meals, drinks from an open bar, workstations, free Wi-Fi, seats with power outlets, and Illy coffee machines.
• United Polaris Lounge – More substantial buffet, an a la carte menu, upgraded bar, lounge areas, showers, and nap rooms.

Chicago-O'Hare Terminal 2: United Club

Terminal 2 is used by United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue Airways.

United Club – Hot and cold buffet meals, drinks from an open bar, workstations, free Wi-Fi, seats with power outlets, and Illy coffee machines.

Chicago-O'Hare Terminal 3: American Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounge

Terminal 3 is primarily used by American Airlines and some partner carriers.

• American Airlines Admirals Club – Buffet snacks, open bar, workstations, seats with power outlets, and shower facilities.
• American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Expansive buffets with hot and cold items, self-service bars, a range of snacks, workstations, showers, seats with power outlets, and premium Champagne and wine.

Chicago-O'Hare Terminal 5: Delta Sky Club and international airline lounges

• Delta Sky Club – Buffet of hot and cold food items, open bar, workstations with power outlets, artwork, and plentiful seating.
• British Airways First Lounge – Self-service bar, including wine and Champagne, and self-service snacks and sandwiches.
• British Airways Terraces Lounge – Self-serve bar with soft and alcoholic drinks, and self-serve snacks and sandwiches.
• LOT Polish Business Class Lounge – Self-serve food buffet with hot and cold meals, and self-serve refreshments, including alcoholic beverages.
• Swissport Lounge – Newspapers and magazines, self-serve refreshment bar, snacks during the daytime, and a hot and cold buffet in the evening. Priority Pass members can access this lounge.

Chicago-Midway: The Club at MDW

Chicago-Midway will be opening its first-ever lounge in late 2024. It will be called "The Club MDW" and will be accessible to Priority Pass members.

Frequently asked questions