ORD · Chicago, IL · Major Hub

O'Hare International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for O'Hare International Airport (ORD), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 4 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Chicago: about 45 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

O'Hare International Airport has 4 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside. Terminal 5 requires exiting and taking the ATS people mover (10-15 min) and re-clearing security. Concourses at ORD can be very long; budget 25-30 min between distant gates.

Terminal 1

1 airline: United Airlines

United Airlines hub, Concourses B and C.

Terminal 2

3 airlines: United Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines

Concourses E and F; Delta and some regional flights.

Terminal 3

5 airlines: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines

American Airlines hub, Concourses G, H, K, L.

Terminal 5 (International)

8 airlines: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and more

International arrivals and most non-US international departures. Concourse M.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
45 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
ATS (Airport Transit System) people mover; indoor walkway T1 to T2 to T3 airside
Airside connected
No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave ORD.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at ORD is 30 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

T1 and T3 have the highest volume. T5 checkpoint is the fastest off-peak.

Lounges

2 notable lounges at ORD, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

United Polaris Lounge

Terminal 1, Concourse C

United / Star Alliance

Access: Polaris Business Class on same-day intl flight

Amenities: Showers, Sit-down dining, Bar

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

Terminal 3, Concourse G/H

American / OneWorld

Access: Flagship First/Business same-day intl, ConciergeKey

Amenities: Showers, Buffet

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at ORD: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 2 terminals.

Showers

Available

Polaris, Flagship, Admirals Clubs

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Free WiFi with no time limit.

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Rotunda between T1 and T2

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas in all terminals

Dining highlights

Terminal 3: Tortas Frontera (Rick Bayless), Publican Tavern

Terminal 1: Chicago Dog House, Tuscany

Ground transport to Chicago

ORD is about 45 min from downtown Chicago by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
CTA Blue Line
Subway
24/7 rapid transit to downtown Chicago ($5 airport fare).
 $5 45-50 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
Rush hour can easily double the time.
 $35-$70 30-90 min
Taxi metered
Taxi
Shared-ride taxis to downtown available.
 $45-$70 30-75 min

Parking

ORD parking ranges from $18/day economy to $40/day short-term. Economy Parking requires shuttle; reserve online for 20%+ savings.

Short-term
$40/day
Long-term
$25/day
Economy
$18/day
Valet
$60/day

Can I leave ORD during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside ORD. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Chicago. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 30 min plus re-screening on return.

5+ hour layovers can take the CTA Blue Line to downtown Chicago (45 min, $5) and reach Millennium Park or the Loop. Budget 3 hours round trip including re-screening.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Hilton Chicago O'Hare
    On-airport, walkable
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at ORD?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from ORD, and 180 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at ORD can hit 30+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at ORD?

ORD requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. ORD terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: ATS (Airport Transit System) people mover; indoor walkway T1 to T2 to T3 airside.

How long does it take to get between terminals at ORD?

Budget 15 min for same-terminal transfers and 30 min for different-terminal transfers at ORD via ATS (Airport Transit System) people mover; indoor walkway T1 to T2 to T3 airside. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside. Terminal 5 requires exiting and taking the ATS people mover (10-15 min) and re-clearing security. Concourses at ORD can be very long; budget 25-30 min between distant gates.

Can I leave ORD during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside ORD. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 90 minutes plus re-screening. 5+ hour layovers can take the CTA Blue Line to downtown Chicago (45 min, $5) and reach Millennium Park or the Loop. Budget 3 hours round trip including re-screening.

Does ORD have showers?

Yes, ORD has showers at Polaris, Flagship, Admirals Clubs.

Does ORD have sleep pods?

ORD does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at ORD?

Yes. ORD offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi with no time limit.

What is the cheapest way to get from ORD to Chicago?

The cheapest option is typically CTA Blue Line at $5, taking 45-50 minutes. 24/7 rapid transit to downtown Chicago ($5 airport fare).

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at ORD?

ORD supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 30 minutes. T1 and T3 have the highest volume. T5 checkpoint is the fastest off-peak.

Where should I eat at ORD during a layover?

Notable dining at ORD includes Tortas Frontera (Rick Bayless) (Terminal 3), Publican Tavern (Terminal 3), Chicago Dog House (Terminal 1), Tuscany (Terminal 1). Dining is spread across 2 terminals or concourses, so check your departure gate before committing to a sit-down meal.

How much does parking cost at ORD?

ORD parking rates: $40/day short-term, $25/day long-term, $18/day economy, $60/day valet. Economy Parking requires shuttle; reserve online for 20%+ savings.

Is there a hotel at ORD for overnight layovers?

Yes. Hilton Chicago O'Hare is on-airport (On-airport, walkable) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at ORD?

ORD has 4 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: United Airlines; Terminal 2: United Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines; Terminal 3: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue; Terminal 5 (International): Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at ORD?

Yes. Pet relief areas in all terminals.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at ORD?

Yes. Rotunda between T1 and T2. Interfaith chapel and prayer rooms.

Compare ORD to other airports

See how ORD ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers ORD is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT ORD dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

Airlines operating at ORD

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of ORD.

Pack for your Chicago trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by ORD.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with O'Hare International Airport before flying.