O’Hare Airport Guide 2023: Even with the epidemic, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) still handled more than 900,000 flights in 2019, making it the busiest airport in the United States.
As the primary hub for United Airlines and the third-largest hub for American Airlines, this airport serves as a connecting point for travelers across the United States.
Connecting the three domestic terminals is a breeze, thanks to the airside walkways between them. But, foreign flights connecting at Terminal 5 require a longer trek. A massive extension project is now planned to eventually replace Terminal 2 with a new “global terminal” that can handle domestic and international aircraft.
O’Hare Airport Guide 2023
While that’s happening, here’s what you need to know to travel about O’Hare Airport.
What To Expect O’Hare Airport Guide
Chicago There are four terminals at O’Hare Airport (IATA code: ORD; Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5) and nine concourses (B, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, and M). Terminals 1-3 are located across a taxiway in the same building as Terminal 5. All four stations are linked by a self-driving train.
The airport is generally noisy, chaotic, overcrowded, and needs a major facelift. While opinions on the overall cleanliness of the airport terminals are varied, many travelers have voiced displeasure at the facilities’ unclean bathrooms.
Please bring a bottle of hand sanitizer. Although the airport’s offerings are sparse compared to larger airports, there are several reasonably priced restaurants, some of which are open around the clock.
O’Hare International Airport’s more unusual features include a yoga room and a rooftop garden. Free Wi-Fi and phone charging stations can be found close to the entrances.
First-class lounges and quality amenities, such as showers for weary travelers, are free. Access and location details for Airport Lounges are provided in the accompanying reference.
Terminals Of O’Hare Airport Guide
United’s domestic operations are headquartered in O’Hare’s Terminal 1, which also houses the airline’s United Club. It has 50 gates between two concourses (B and C).
Hot dogs, McDonald’s, a wine bar, sit-down restaurants like Chili’s Too and Berghoff Cafe, snack kiosks, and vending machines are just some dining options in Terminal 1.
The primary places to buy things in the terminal are Barbara’s Bookstore, Duty-Free, and Hudson News & Gifts. If you have a little extra time, manicures, pedicures, massages, and more are available at the Terminal Gateway Spa (also located in Terminal 3).
There are 41 gates in Terminal 2’s Concourses E and F. From self-service kiosks to full-service restaurants, this terminal offers all the same conveniences as its predecessors, except a wine bar. The shopping is the same as at Terminal 2 as well. There is only a barbershop at this terminal.
Seventy-nine gates can be found in Concourses G, H, K, and L of Terminal 3, making it O’Hare’s largest terminal.
American Airlines and Spirit Airlines are major carriers there and are joined by several other regional airlines.
Terminal 3 is home to various dining options, including a smoothie and salad store, bakery, bagel shop, different vending machines, Mexican restaurant, burger joint, Chicago Cubs bar, Goose Island Brewing Company bar, and more.
The same kinds of stores are available at the other terminals, plus a Brooks Brothers and a Brookstone. The lone Yoga Room at the airport may be found in this terminal, on the mezzanine level of the dome.
All major international airlines use Terminal 5, the international terminal, which has 21 gates in Concourse M. There are 18 different places to eat, from fast food chains like Burger King and McDonald’s to upscale selections like the restaurant Hyatt Regency Chicago.
There is a Dufry instead of a Brookstone and an “I Love Chicago” gift shop, so the choice is the same as at Terminal 3.
The terminals include facilities for all passengers, including restrooms, drinking fountains, changing tables, and automated teller machines.
A Mother’s Room, a private nursing room available around the clock, is available at all terminals. Mamava breastfeeding pods are available for use in Terminal 2.
Transiting between Airport Buildings
It is possible to travel between Domestic Terminals 1, 2, and 3 by moving sidewalks and escalators or to walk the short distance between each terminal.
It takes roughly 10 minutes to walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and up to 20 minutes to travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 if you’re walking from the farthest gates in each terminal.
There is no direct connection between Terminal 5 and the domestic terminals. Therefore, passengers must take the Airport Transit System (ATS), a daily train shuttle from 5 am to 10:30 pm.
The shuttle service is also available around the clock if your connection time falls outside those windows. The ATS, or “people mover,” takes about 10 minutes between Terminal 1 and the farthest stop, where you can access rental cars and parking. It makes intermediate stops at Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 5.
Domestic Connections O’Hare Airport Guide
Terminals 1-3 serve as domestic hubs and are linked and easily accessible from one another. Terminals 1-3 are accessible without security for passengers arriving on domestic flights with domestic connections.
If you have a domestic flight connection, please check with both airlines for specific rules and information on checked bags.
To get to Terminal 5 for domestic connections, passengers can take the AT S or the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB Service Begins March 1) (boarding pass required).
TTB service will resume at 11:30 am, with intervals of 15 minutes between that time and 9:30 pm. Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 will be connected by one TTB line, while Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 will be joined by a second TTB line. There will be a bus service in both directions.
Arrival Hall 1 Terminal 3, Gate B1 for Pickups Pickup Areas: Gate G17, Gate K20, and Terminal 5 Airport Pickup Gate M13
Connections At International Levels O’Hare Airport Guide 2023
It’s true that Terminal 5 is where the vast majority of international aircraft take off from. However, Terminals 1-3 also play host to some international flights. If you need the terminal information for a particular airline, you may find it on our airline’s page.
The Airport Transit System (ATS) is required to reach Terminal 5 from the domestic terminals. To get to a foreign destination from a domestic airport, you can do one of two things: There are two ways to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 without going through security: 1.) using the Automated Terminal Service (ATS) and 2.) taking a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB).
The hours of operation for the Terminal Transfer Bus are 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, all year round. You cannot use this service if you arrive at one of the domestic terminals, collect your luggage (leaving the airport’s secure area), and then recheck at Terminal 5.
Beginning again on March 1, 2023: Passengers can use the Terminal Transfer Bus between Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and Terminal 5 without re-entering the airport or going through another TSA checkpoint.
The airport’s other terminals (Terminals 1, 2, and 3) are all connected via footbridges to the safe side, but Terminal 5 is not. Service will be between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm, departing every 15 minutes.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 will be connected by one TTB line, while Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 will be joined by a second TTB line. There will be a bus service in both directions.
Arrival Hall 1 Terminal 3, Gate B1 for Pickups Pickup Areas: Gate G17, Gate K20, and Terminal 5 Airport Pickup Gate M13
After arriving at O’Hare on an international aircraft with a domestic connection, you will be dropped off at Terminal 5. From there, you can take the AT S to the domestic terminals.
You’ll have to go through security screening at the domestic terminals once more. To make an overseas connection, please refer to our website dedicated to international travelers.
In addition, you can consult this page for our helpful Transfer Guide. See the red line in the following map for the AT S route. Each station and the low-cost parking garages have its stops.
Family-friendly activities at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport
The airport is kid-friendly in that there are eateries that kids like and places for them to play at the gates, but it needs many features that are particularly useful to parents.
Terminal 2 is home to a family room with a play area, bright seating, and live performances. You can find musicians, caricature painters, and other performers in the Family Room in Terminal 2 at Gate F1 (especially during the holidays).
To pass the time at the airport, you can either visit the Field Museum gift shop in Terminal 1 or use the Lego vending machine in Terminal 2.
The three domestic terminals have pedestrian walkways, escalators, and artwork and lighting that children might enjoy. Find the four-story brachiosaurus on display in Concourse B of Terminal 1 and the Butch O’Hare F4F-3 fighter plane in Terminal 2 courtesy of the Field Museum.
The Hall of Flags in Terminal 5 is a colorful atrium with a giant gold globe in the center, adorned with flags from dozens of countries. Take the kids out for a long lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Planes can be viewed taking off from the sky from the Berghoff Cafe at Gate C26, Chili’s Too at Gate G10, and the Food Court seating area at Gate C26.
Planes may be seen on the tarmac from many airport restaurants, including the Tuscany Restaurant at Gate B18, Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi in Terminal 2’s main hall, Starbucks at Gate H1, the Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill in Terminal 3’s rotunda, and the Macaroni Grill at Gate K2.
Pick up your free Chicago Airports Activity & Coloring Book at any of the airport’s Information counters.
Conclusion
Around 83 million passengers pass through Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport every year, making it one of the world’s busiest airports.
United Airlines calls this hub home; most major domestic and international carriers use it. The airport has a yoga room and a garden and is usually regarded as one of the best in the United States. Compared to other international airports, O’Hare lacks amenities such as places to sleep and shop.
Terminal 5, the airport’s international terminal, is undergoing a massive expansion that will provide new gates, dining options, and other facilities.
Known architect Jeanne Gang is in charge of the overall enlargement of which this is a part. Domestic and international travelers’ terminals will be combined under one enormous oculus filled with natural light and plants. So we hope you like this article about O’Hare Airport Guide 2023.
