Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) Flights & Flight Status

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is Chicago's main airport, connecting the city with more than 200 destinations around the world via almost 1,000 daily flights. Each year, it handles more than 40 million passengers. As you might expect, O'Hare is a large and crowded airport, and it's a very popular layover spot for international travellers. It's also a hub for both United and American Airlines.

Terminals at O'Hare

O'Hare has four terminals: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected airside and you can walk between them, but the distances can be great. It can take 30 minutes or more to get from the end of one terminal to the end of another. Fortunately, most connections are within the same terminal or adjacent terminals, so most connections will take less than 20 minutes.

If you need to transfer between Terminals 1, 2 or 3 and Terminal 5, you'll have to take the Terminal Transfer Bus, which is airside, or you'll have to leave the secure area and take the Airport Transit System​ (ATS) train. The bus only runs between 11:30 am and 21:30, while the ATS runs constantly. I'd recommend taking the Terminal Transfer Bus so you don't have to go through security again.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is United's hub, and it's split into two concourses, B and C, which are separated by a long tunnel with moving walkways. There's a fun light installation here that makes this passageway something of a photo or video opportunity. Or at the very least, it's pleasant to walk through! The concourses are long, so it could take up to 20 minutes to walk between the farthest gates.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is home to Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and Air Canada. It's a smaller terminal than the others, split into Concourses E and F. The concourses form a Y shape, and it's only about a 10-minute walk between any gates here. But if you need to connect between Terminals 1 and 2, it can be a lengthy walk: anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes or so.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is the hub for American Airlines and Spirit, as well as a handful of international airline departures and smaller regional airlines. It's a large terminal with four concourses: G, H, K and L. It can easily take 20 minutes to walk from end to end. Fortunately, if you're arriving in Terminal 3, you'll likely be connecting in the same terminal, unless you're travelling internationally and need to get to Terminal 5.

Terminal 5

Though international flights can depart from any terminal, most international airlines fly out of Terminal 5. And all international flights will arrive at Terminal 5. It's also the main terminal for both arrivals and departures for British Airways. It has just one concourse, Concourse M, but it's a very long concourse, taking about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from end to end.

Since Terminal 5 is not connected by walkways to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, it can take 30 to 45 minutes to transfer between them if you wait for the Terminal Transfer Bus. It can take longer if you take the ATS, as you'll have to wait in the security line again.

The best way to get to Chicago city centre from O'Hare

O'Hare is about 15 miles from downtown Chicago, and while that doesn't sound far, it's not as quick of a commute as you might expect. Driving, in particular, can take a long time due to traffic. That's why I recommend taking the train; it runs 24 hours per day, and it's not impacted by traffic! Here's what you need to know about public transportation and driving between O'Hare and downtown Chicago.

Train

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train connects O'Hare with downtown Chicago in about 45 minutes. More specifically, it takes you to the Loop, where you can connect to just about any other CTA train line. Transfers to up to two lines (or buses) are free.

Car

If there's absolutely no traffic, it'll take about 25 minutes to drive from O'Hare to downtown Chicago. Unfortunately there's often heavy traffic in Chicago that can triple the drive time. Try to avoid driving during the morning and evening rush hours to skip the worst traffic.

It's worth noting that Chicago has excellent public transportation, so it's not necessary to rent a car if you're staying in the area. If you'd prefer to take a taxi or a rideshare, there are plenty available at O'Hare. I'd recommend checking the traffic before hopping in a car, though, as the train might ultimately be faster. And far cheaper!

TSA Security Wait Times

O'Hare is a very busy airport, and during peak travel times, security lines can be 30 minutes long or longer. But on an average day at an off hour, the lines do move much more quickly. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes provide expedited security screening for those who are part of the paid membership programmes, and UK travellers must apply well in advance because it might take a few weeks to be processed.

Alternative airports in Chicago

There's one main alternative airport to O'Hare: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). While it's a smaller airport than O'Hare, it's a hub for Southwest Airlines, and numerous budget airlines also fly out of Midway, including Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier and Volaris.

Many travellers have a love-hate relationship with Midway. Some love it because it's a smaller airport and therefore typically has smaller crowds than O'Hare. Some hate it because it has far fewer amenities, like lounges, restaurants and shops. I find Midway to be pretty crowded for a major city's secondary airport, but I do find security lines to be shorter here than at O'Hare. Plus, the airport is smaller and easier to navigate.

Things to do during a layover at O'Hare

O'Hare is a major layover city, so there's a good chance you might find yourself with a few hours to spend here. In many cases, it's better to stay at the airport, as getting around Chicago takes some time, and the airport's security lines can get long. But if you have an extended layover, leaving the airport is definitely possible.

Less than four hours

With a short layover of just a few hours, stay put at O'Hare. There's plenty to do here, from visiting airport lounges to doing a little shopping to trying out some local eats. I'm a fan of Bar Siena in Terminal 5, Tortas Frontera in Terminals 1 and 2 and Publican Tavern in Terminal 3.

Four to six hours

With a little more time, it's possible to leave the airport, but I wouldn't go very far. Just outside the airport in Rosemont is an entertainment district with a bowling alley, cinema, outlet mall and several restaurants, including Dave and Buster's. If you're itching to get out of the airport, this is a good place to spend some time without having to travel too far.

Six or more hours

With six hours, it's possible to go all the way to downtown Chicago to pop into a museum like the Art Institute of Chicago, view the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as "The Bean") or even take a short architecture cruise. Just remember that you need to be back to the airport at least two hours before your flight.

If you have an overnight layover, or you just want to get some rest, you can book a stay at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare. If you don't need a room, you can also purchase a guest pass to its health club, which has a pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and gym.

How to get from O'Hare (ORD) to Midway (MDW)

Transfers between O'Hare and Midway are fairly easy, but not necessarily fast. The most affordable option is taking the train: Take the Blue Line train from O'Hare to Clark/Lake Station in the city centre, then transfer to the Orange Line. The Orange Line terminates at Midway. But this option takes about 90 minutes to two hours. Taxis or rideshares can be faster, as it takes about 30 minutes without traffic. If traffic is bad, though, it could take an hour or more.

Lounges at O'Hare

O'Hare has 16 lounges spread throughout its terminals. Most are affiliated with airlines. For example, the British Airways First Lounge is in Terminal 5. It is for passengers travelling in the top tiers with BA or partnering Oneworld airlines. United's Polaris Lounge is also available to certain Star Alliance Gold members. If you have Priority Pass, you can access the Swissport lounge in Terminal 5.