Roberta Aguirre
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the world's busiest airports, serving Chicago, Illinois, and located 15-17 miles northwest of downtown. Despite its size, ORD is well-organised and easy to navigate, with four terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5) that house over 190 gates. The airport offers a variety of dining, shopping, and seating options, as well as efficient security lines. The terminals are easily traversed, with pedestrian walkways and a terminal transfer bus connecting them. ORD also provides accessible parking, transportation options, and a light rail service for inter-terminal travel.
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What You'll Learn
ORD is Chicago's largest and busiest airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is Chicago's largest and busiest airport. Located on the Northwest Side, approximately 14-17 miles from the Loop business district in downtown Chicago, ORD is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking fourth in the world and in the United States. In 2019, it recorded the most aircraft movements globally, averaging 2,520 flights per day.
ORD is a massive airport with four terminals housing over 190 gates. The majority of these gates are for American Airlines and United, with United Airlines being based in Chicago. The airport offers approximately 568 daily non-stop flights to 154 US cities and 45 daily non-stop flights to international destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Despite being one of the busiest airports globally, ORD is well-organised and easy to navigate. The security lines are generally efficient, with wait times ranging from less than five minutes to 15-20 minutes, depending on the day's staffing situation and passenger cooperation. The airport also offers a variety of dining, shopping, and seating options, as well as public art and an aeroponic garden.
When travelling to ORD, it is recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before boarding, especially if you are unfamiliar with the layout. There are several ways to get to the airport, including taxi cabs, ride-sharing services, buses, airport shuttles, and the Chicago "L". However, the most economical and often fastest way is the Blue Line CTA train, which operates 24 hours a day and connects the airport to the Washington Blue Line station in the Loop district.
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It has four terminals, with Terminal 5 undergoing expansion
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, or ORD, is the fourth busiest airport in the world. Despite this, it is considered a great airport, provided you don't get overwhelmed by its size. The airport is composed of four terminals, with over 190 gates across them. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are considered domestic terminals and are easily traversed. Terminal 5 is also undergoing expansion.
A free shuttle train, the Airport Transport System (ATS), connects all terminals to each other, as well as to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) car rental facility, the F and Kiss 'n' Fly parking lots, and the bus station. Additionally, a free shuttle bus, the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB), provides a service between the security area of Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3.
Each terminal has its own unique offerings in terms of dining and shopping options, rest areas, and other services. However, congestion and high prices can be issues, especially during peak hours. It is recommended to plan ahead and follow travellers' advice to make your time at the airport more enjoyable and efficient. For example, if you notice that security at Terminal 1 is much quicker than at Terminal 2, you can go through security at Terminal 1 and then walk to Terminal 2 in a matter of minutes.
While ORD has a lot to offer in terms of amenities and conveniences, it is always a good idea to arrive at the airport early, especially if you are not familiar with the layout. As a rule of thumb, aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before boarding to give yourself ample time to navigate the airport, grab food or souvenirs, and locate your gate.
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Security lines aren't too bad, but it depends on the day
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the fourth busiest airport in the world. Despite this, security lines at ORD aren't usually too bad. You may wait for 15–20 minutes, or you could get through security in less than five minutes. It depends on the day and the staffing situation. If you have less than an hour between security opening and your flight boarding, get in line as soon as you can. The central checkpoint in Terminal 2 is always the busiest, so it's worth checking out the other checkpoints. If you notice that security in Terminal 1 is taking less time, you could go through security there and walk to Terminal 2 in a matter of minutes.
ORD has four terminals with over 190 gates. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are for domestic and some international flights, and Terminal 5 is for international flights. The terminals are easily traversed, with pedestrian walkways connecting Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The Terminal Transfer Bus also connects the domestic terminals and Terminal 5. The Airport Transit System provides a light rail service for inter-terminal transportation.
ORD is well-organised, with plenty of places to eat and shop, and a variety of seating areas. There are over 140 food and beverage spots, 80 retail shops, and nearly 140 automated stands or vending machines. The airport is also home to public art.
It's recommended that you arrive at ORD at least 90 minutes before boarding for domestic flights and two hours before for international flights. Daily parking starts at around $14, and daily rates for the Economy Lots range from $15 to $22. The Main Garage, adjacent to Terminal 1, offers hourly parking, starting at $3 for the first hour, with a daily maximum of $42.
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There are over 140 food and beverage spots and 80 retail shops
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the fourth busiest airport in the world. Despite its size, it is well-organised and easy to navigate. ORD has four terminals, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5, with the first three considered domestic terminals that are simple to traverse. Security lines usually aren't too bad, ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the day's staffing and other passengers' cooperation.
With over 140 food and beverage spots, you'll have plenty of dining options to choose from. If you're an early bird, Brioche Dorée in Terminal 1 opens at 4:30 am, Starbucks opens at 5 am, and Great American Bagel Co. starts serving at 6 am. For 24/7 dining, head to Terminal 5, where you'll find Dunkin' and Hub 51, perfect for late-night or early travellers. Terminal 3 offers a mix of fast food and sit-down restaurants, including Publican Tavern and Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill. If you're looking for affordable meals, McDonald's and some food court stalls offer cheaper options, although you may encounter long lines. For vegan or gluten-free choices, try Eat Well Travel Further, La Tapenade, or Frontera. Most markets also provide grab-and-go healthy options.
In addition to its dining options, ORD also boasts 80 retail shops. Terminal 5 features a wide range of retail stores, offering everything from luxury goods to local items. You can find a large selection of jewellery, handbags, gifts, and clothing to suit your shopping needs. Terminal 3 is the place to go for duty-free shopping, with several shops providing high-end personalised gifts and goods.
With its abundance of dining and shopping options, ORD Airport ensures that travellers have a variety of choices to stay fuelled, find souvenirs, and pass the time while waiting for their flights.
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It's 15-17 miles from downtown Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located 15-17 miles from downtown Chicago. It is the city's largest and
To navigate ORD, it is recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before boarding for domestic flights and two hours for international flights. Security lines can vary, ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on staffing and passenger cooperation. It is worth checking the wait times at different terminals, as you may save time by going through security at another terminal and then walking to your correct terminal.
ORD offers a variety of dining, shopping, and seating options. There are over 140 food and beverage spots, 80 retail shops, and nearly 140 automated stands or vending machines. The airport also features public art and a family lounge in Terminal 2 with live entertainment. Each terminal has a pet relief area, and Terminal 3 has a relief area inside the secure area.
For transportation to and from the airport, options include the Airport Transit System, airport shuttle, bus, Chicago "L", taxis, and off-site shuttle buses from parking lots. Daily parking rates at ORD start at around $14, with Economy Lots ranging from $15-$22 and the Main Garage ranging from $3-$42.
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Frequently asked questions
As the fourth busiest airport in the world, ORD is not the easiest airport to navigate. However, it is well-organised, with plenty of places to eat and shop, and various seating areas. It has four terminals with pedestrian walkways connecting Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Terminal 5 is for international flights and can be reached via the Terminal Transfer Bus.
It is recommended that you arrive at ORD 90 minutes ahead of domestic flights and two hours ahead of international flights. If you are flying with different airlines and need to switch terminals, you should plan for a minimum one-hour connection.
Four hours is the minimum layover time to leave the airport. In this time, you could visit the nearby Fashion Outlets of Chicago, which is a 10-minute drive away. With a six-hour layover, you could take the train to downtown Chicago and visit Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, or the Art Institute.
