About O'Hare Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest in the world, serving over 83 million passengers each year. O'Hare is a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. In addition, it serves the majority of major domestic and international airlines. As seen in the O'Hare Airport map, the 4 terminals are laid out in a sort of semi-circle.
It is widely regarded as a good airport despite flight delays. That's partly because the airport has clean premises, a variety of dining options, and a few unique amenities such as a yoga room and garden.
The O'Hare Airport parking map shows that passengers flying out of O'Hare have a range of airport parking choices, either at the terminals or further out near the Multi-Modal Facility. There are also plenty of offsite ORD parking lots near the airport.
| Airport Name | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| O'Hare Airport Code | ORD |
| Terminals | 4 terminals - 1, 2, 3, and 5. |
| Airport Address | 10000 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60666 |
| Distance from Downtown Chicago | 20 miles approx. |
| Official Website | http://flychicago.com/ohare |
| Contact Number | (800) 832-6352 |
| No Of Destinations | 228 destinations |
| Hub For | American Airlines, United Airlines |
| Flight Status: Departures and arrivals | www.way.com/ord/flight-status |
| TSA Wait Times | www.way.com/ord/tsa-wait-times |
O'Hare Airport Terminals
On the Chicago O'Hare Airport map, you'll see that the passenger terminals at Chicago O'Hare Airport are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5. What used to serve as Terminal 4 is now the airport's bus depot.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 at O'Hare Airport serves as the domestic hub for United Airlines and houses the United Club. It contains two concourses, B and C, and 50 gates. Terminal 1 offers a variety of food options, from hot dogs and McDonald's to a wine bar, dine-in restaurants including Chili's Too and Berghoff Cafe, and to-go kiosks and vending machines. The main shopping options in the terminal are Barbara's Bookstore, Duty-Free, and Hudson News & Gifts. If you have the time, the Terminal Gateway Spa (also located in Terminal 3) provides quick manicures, pedicures, massages, and other services.
Terminal 2
Concourses E and F of Terminal 2 host 41 gates. This terminal provides a comparable selection of food options, ranging from kiosks to dine-in, although it has a sports bar rather than a wine bar. The shopping facilities are likewise comparable to those at Terminal 2. In addition, this terminal houses the airport's sole barbershop.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is O'Hare's largest terminal, with 79 gates on Concourses G, H, K, and L. Its primary carriers are American Airlines and Spirit Airlines, but it also serves several regional airlines. In Terminal 3, you'll find a smoothie and salad store, a bakery, a bagel shop, many vending machines, a Mexican restaurant, a burger joint, a Chicago Cubs bar, a Goose Island Beer Company bar, and more. The shopping selections are similar to those found at other terminals, including Brooks Brothers and Brookstone. The airport's sole Yoga Room is in the rotunda mezzanine of this terminal.
Terminal 5
Terminal 5, the international terminal, houses all major international airlines and has 21 gates in Concourse M. It includes 18 dining options, including Burger King, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, a salad restaurant, a sports bar, and branches of notable Chicago eateries. There are the same shopping selections as at Terminal 3, with a Dufry instead of a Brookstone and an 'I Love Chicago' souvenir shop.
All terminals offer restrooms (both genders), drinking fountains, baby changing stations, and ATMs. Every terminal also has a Mother's Room, a private nursing area open 24 hours a day. In addition, Mamava individual nursing pods are available in Terminal 2.
How to get between the terminals at O'Hare Airport
Pedestrian walkways link the three domestic terminals (1-3). Terminal 5, the final terminal built, is located near the other terminals and is connected by shuttle services and the Airport Transit System (ATS.)
Walking from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 takes roughly 10 minutes while walking from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 might take up to 20 minutes if you walk from the farthest gate to the farthest gate.
Passengers can also use the rail to get to the new Multi-Modal Facility, which houses the auto rental facility, economy parking lot F, Kiss n' Fly, pace buses, and Metra.
More information on O'Hare Airport
EV parking
O'Hare has 32 public Level II EV charging stations.
- Six charging stations are on the first level (hourly parking) of the O'Hare Main Parking Garage in Aisle 2 near Elevator Center 3.
- Twenty-four charging stations on the fourth floor are placed in Rows G, H, I, and J of the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (Economy Lot F).
- The Chicago Travel Plaza has two charging stations on Higgins Road and Patton Drive.
- The Chicago Travel Plaza has fourteen public Level III Tesla Supercharger stations.
Onsite and offsite parking
The onsite parking lots offer Hourly and Daily parking with rates that vary according to the garage. There's also offsite parking near ORD Airport for passengers looking for more affordable parking options.
Accessible parking
O'Hare provides 325 accessible parking spots near elevators and other onward travel amenities around the airport's parking lots. Also, all shuttle buses running to and from the parking lots are lower for wheelchair access.
Pet relief areas
Each terminal has a pet relieving area, although only Terminal 3 has one within the guarded area. These are available at:
- Lower level, outside door 1A in Terminal 1.
- Lower level, outside door 2E in Terminal 2.
- In the Terminal 3 Rotunda
- Lower level, outside door 5B of Terminal 5.
Useful ORD Airport Numbers
Emergency contact: (773) 894-9111
Parking: (773) 686-7530
Customer care: (800) 832-6352
O'Hare Security and Customs
The number of security checkpoints at ORD varies per terminal. For instance, terminal 1 has three checkpoints, Terminal 2 has one, Terminal 3 has five, and Terminal 5 has one major checkpoint.
Except for T5, each terminal at ORD has dedicated TSA PreCheck lines. If you're flying out of T5, you'll be issued a card that allows you to keep your shoes on while going through the normal lanes.
How to get to O'Hare Airport
Travelers have several options for getting to and from O'Hare Airport.
- The "L" trains of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra are convenient and affordable modes of public transportation. In addition, the airport's Blue Line station on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is conveniently placed within the airport.
- O'Hare is served by a network of airport shuttles and regional buses, connecting the airport with Chicago and the neighboring suburbs and states.
- Travelers departing and arriving may easily use taxis, limousines, and ridesharing services. O'Hare is also served by a large number of vehicle rental agencies.
- Many parking choices are available at O'Hare Airport for travelers driving to and from the airport.
Driving directions to O'Hare Airport
From Downtown or the Loop
From the city center of Chicago, take I-90 west all the way to O'Hare International Airport.
From MDW
When you get to Forest View, get on I-55 south and take exit 277A to get onto I-294 north, heading into Wisconsin. Take exit 40 for I-190 W/O'Hare/River Road, then turn right to join onto I-190 west. The exit is located in the middle of the ramp. Follow the signs that direct you to the airport.
How to get from ORD to MDW Airport
Train
Take the Blue Line from the O'Hare station in the Terminal's lower level to the Clark/Lake station downtown. Then, take the Orange Line to Midway and exit at Midway Station. It takes approximately 90 minutes.
Shuttle
Coach USA shuttle Wisconsin provides hourly service from O'Hare to Midway for $16 one-way. Online reservations are available.
Taxi
Taxis are available outside the baggage claim at each terminal in O'Hare. Fees will differ depending on the time of day, weather, and cab service. It takes between 35 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Rideshare
Rideshares pick up passengers in specific areas outside Terminals 2 and 5. Rates will vary depending on the time of day and the weather.
Frequently asked questions
How big is O'Hare Airport?
The area covered by O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is 30.86 sq. Km.
Does O'Hare Airport have a lost and found?
There are many points of contact at Chicago O'Hare, depending on where you believe your item was lost.
- Contact the airline if you've lost something near ticket desks, in gate areas, or on the plane.
- Contact Chicago Police at (773) 686-2385 if you lose something in the terminal's public areas.
- Contact the TSA at (773) 894-8760 if you lose something at the security checkpoints.
What is airport express at O'Hare?
GO Airport Express provides daily shared rides and nonstop direct service to and from O'Hare. They cover the whole downtown area and most Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs. They start operations around 3:30 a.m.
Who is O'Hare Airport named after?
O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare) was named after the Chicago Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Commander Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare.
Does Southwest Airlines fly out of O'Hare Airport?
Yes, Southwest flies out of Chicago Airport.
What is the quickest way to get from ORD to downtown Chicago?
It varies according to the time of day. When there is no traffic, the drive from O'Hare to downtown Chicago takes about 25 minutes. However, it can take an hour or longer during rush hour or if traffic is delayed for another reason. The CTA Blue Line, which runs directly from the airport to downtown, takes 40-55 minutes.