ORD Terminal 2

If you are flying out of O’Hare Terminal 2, you are at the central domestic terminal of ORD. Located between Terminals 1 and 3, this terminal serves major carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and JetBlue.

The terminal is smaller than all other terminals at ORD, which makes it easy for you to walk from the check-in area to your gate. Also, the terminal connects to Terminals 1 and 3 directly, so you can easily walk between domestic flights without re-clearing security.

Whether you are catching a domestic flight, navigating between the concourses, or parking your car near the terminal, our ORD Terminal 2 guide will help you understand everything you need to know before flying out.

O’Hare Terminal 2 has two main levels - upper and lower levels. The upper level features the TSA security checkpoints, check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and access to gates. The lower level acts as the arrivals hall with baggage claim carousels and has ground transportation exits.

Terminal 2 at ORD has two concourses - E and F. Concourse E has gates from E1 to E17, whereas Concourse F has gates from F1 to F28. Regional and domestic flights operate from both concourses. There is a connection to Terminal 1 close to Gate E1 via secure indoor walkways and to Terminal 3 close to Concourse G by the Rotunda.

O’Hare Terminal 2 opened along with Terminal 3 in January 1962 when the airport expanded into the modern jet age. The terminal served as a bustling base for carriers like Continental, Northwest, and Delta Air Lines for many years. Over the years, the terminal underwent major revamps to meet the surging passenger traffic. In the future, the terminal will undergo a full rebuild as part of the expansion project.

Various domestic airlines, regional carriers, and transborder flights from Canada operate from O’Hare Terminal 2. Air Canada flights from Canada arrive directly at this terminal as passengers need to clear US customs before their departure.

Check the airline app within 24 hours of travel to confirm your terminal and the departure gate. Since the airport is famed for flight delays, check the live ORD flight status before heading to the airport so that you don’t get stuck there unexpectedly.

O’Hare Terminal 2 has two TSA security checkpoints on the upper departures level. Standard passenger screening is handled at Checkpoint 5, whereas TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus members can use the dedicated security lanes at Checkpoint 6.

Typically, the TSA wait times at Terminal 2 range between 15 and 20 minutes. However, during the peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the wait times can surge to around 30-35 minutes. Whether you are flying out during regular or peak hours, we always recommend checking ORD TSA wait times before heading to the airport to avoid unnecessary rush.

For the closest onsite parking near O’Hare Terminal 2, you can park your car in the Main Parking Garage. The garage offers both daily (Levels 2-6) and short-term (Level 1) parking spots. The Daily Lot also offers a close parking option to the terminal. Economy lots F, G, and H offer the most economical onsite parking options. However, these lots are far from the terminal and are connected via shuttle buses and ATS trains.

If you are looking for the cheapest O’Hare Airport Parking rates, it is best that you reserve parking at one of the offsite lots nearby. Though the lots are a couple of miles away, most lots offer a free round-trip shuttle service. Reserving parking at any of the offsite lots helps you save around 60% on the parking rates.

Currently, there are three lounges operating in O’Hare Terminal 2 - two United Club lounges and USO. The United Clubs in Terminal 2 offer free snacks, bar service, and quiet workspaces. USO Lounge, located on the mezzanine level, provides free refreshments, relaxation areas, and computer access for active-duty military members and their families.

You can find many dining and retail options across Concourses E and F in O’Hare Terminal 2. For sit-down dining options, you can explore Summer House Santa Monica and Stanley’s Blackhawks Kitchen & Tap.

These are some of the dining and shopping options you can find at Terminal 2:

Ground transportation at O’Hare Terminal 2 is split across two levels. You can find the taxi stands on the lower-level curb, outside of Door 2E. The pickup area for Uber and Lyft is on the upper-level roadway, between Terminals 1 and 2. If you are riding on the CTA Blue Line, follow the signage downstairs to the station between O’Hare Terminals 2 and 3, which operates 24/7 to downtown Chicago.

Connecting to another terminal from O’Hare Terminal 2 depends on whether you’re behind the security area or not. Walk through the indoor walkways to connect to Terminals 1 or 3. ORD Terminal 1 connects to this terminal near Gate E1, and ORD Terminal 3 connects at Concourse G near the Rotunda. You don’t have to clear security again in this case.

To connect to ORD Terminal 5, it is best to take the Terminal Transfer Bus if you have the boarding pass for the same-day departing flight and are traveling between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. You don’t have to re-clear security for this. If you are traveling outside these hours, you must take the free ATS train from the Terminal 2 station and re-clear security at Terminal 5.

O’Hare Terminal 2 is located right in the center of the airport’s ORDNext modernization program. Gradually, the existing terminal will be replaced by a bigger one called “O’Hare Global Terminal,” with domestic and international flights operating from here. The plan includes the addition of a new Concourse D, a satellite concourse with around 19 gates. Currently, the terminal remains open and is fully operational.