Chicago O'Hare International Airport- (ORD) 

Overview

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a major airport in the U.S. located in the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago O’Hare Airport is also referred to as Chicago O’Hare or simply ORD. It is America’s busiest airport in terms of total flights, according to federal data released in 2019. The airport processed 903,747 flights in 2018. ORD airport is also the world’s sixth busiest airport in the world, with over 84 million passengers according to the preliminary data for 2019. ORD airport had 919,704 aircraft operations in 2019, beating all airports in the world.

O’Hare airport offers direct and in-direct flights to about 228 destinations in the world, including North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

Cool Facts:

• According to travel data provider OAG, ORD is North America’s most connected airport.
• In March 2018, Chicago’s City Council approved a historic $8.5 billion expansion project for ORD. The investments will go into facilities, technology and capacity.
• On March 19, 1982, a U.S. Air Force plane crashed while approaching ORD, killing 27 passengers.
• ORD’s previous name was Orchard Field. Chicago’s City Council renamed the airport to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport in 1949 to honor naval aviator Lt. Cmdr. Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare.
• O'Hare International Airport surpassed the 30 million passengers mark for the first time in 1968.
• The tunnel connecting concourses B and C of the ORD airport is illuminated with a neon installation titled Sky's the Limit by Canadian artist Michael Hayden.

Traveling Tips:

• O'Hare Airport peak hours are between 6 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. If you have a domestic flight at ORD airport, make sure to reach two hours prior to your domestic flight time, and three hours prior for international flights. These are officially recommended time guidelines to avoid delays as TSA security checks and procedures could take a lot of time and cause flight delays. Contact help counters and staff at the airport if you run into any problems or confusions.
• Also take a look at the ORD airport map before heading to the airport to avoid any delays..
• To pick up a passenger from Chicago O’Hare, go to the curbside of the lower level of the airport. However, you should not park and wait on the curbside. If your party hasn’t arrived yet, it’s recommended that you use the cell phone lot.
• To drop off your passenger, use the curb front of your relevant terminal. You can also use the “Kiss ‘n’ Fly” drop off points to drop your party. These points quickly shuttle the passengers to their terminals.
• ORD airport has numerous signs pointing toward nearby drop off and pick up points. Use these signs for guidance or contact the airport staff.

Flight Status

(Powered by iFly)

• For arriving flights, our ORD Arriving Flight Status guide offers ORD airport arrival times, delays, time-to-land, and gate info.
• For departures, check our ORD Departing Flight Status guide that lists actual vs scheduled departure times, flight delays, map tracking, and ORD airport gate information.
• To get the best fares at O'Hare International Airport, Book a Flight at ORD.

ORD Airport Terminals

O'Hare International has four terminals

• Terminal 1
• Terminal 2
• Terminal 3
• Terminal 5 (International Flights)

Take a look at ORD Terminal Map to see more information and details of each terminal.

Terminal 1: This terminal has concourses B and C. Terminal 1 mainly operates all United Airlines flights, domestic and international.

Concourse B contains passenger check-in, baggage claim, and security screening areas. Concourse C is a satellite terminal with gates on all sides. Concourse C is connected to Concourse B via an underground pedestrian tunnel.

Terminal 1 has 54 gates.

Terminal 2: Concourses E and F are located on this terminal. This terminal operates flights from Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta and Delta Connection domestic flights and JetBlue.

Terminal 2 has 41 gates.

Terminal 3: This terminal contains concourses G, H, K and L. All domestic by American and American Eagle flights are processed on this terminal. This terminal also houses Iberia and Japan Airlines.

Terminal 3 has 76 gates.

Terminal 5: Terminal 5 contains Concourse M and operates almost all O'Hare's international departures and arrivals (except flights from Air Canada, American and United from airports with U.S. border preclearance).

Terminal 5 has 21 gates.

Airlines

Over 45 airlines serve at Chicago O’Hare Airport, including American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France , Delta, Etihad, Emirates, JetBlue and Volaris. ORD airport is the main hub of both United Airlines and American Airlines.

As of February 2020, United Airlines has over 31% of market share of ORD in terms of total passengers, while American Airlines has less with about 26% market share. View the list of all airlines that are served at O'Hare Airport.

Parking

There are several parking options available at ORD airport, including hourly, daily, cell phone lot, long-term and valet.

Main Parking Garage

The main parking garage at ORD International Airport is adjacent to the domestic terminals on Level 1. Hourly parking comes under the short-term category (less than three hours).

Hourly parking costs $3 for the first hour. The cost goes to $6 for the second hour, and $10 for three hours.

If you need more assistance or information on ORD airport parking, you can call O'Hare’s Parking Garage Office at (773) 686-7530.

Economy

If you plan to park your vehicle for an extended period of time, we recommend using the economy parking lot. This option costs between $15 and $17 per day.

A free shuttle service also operates to and from the economy lot, which you can use to reach Lot E, where the free Airport Transit System can be used to reach other terminals.

Economy Lot F is on floors 4 and 5 of the Multi-Modal Facility​ (MMF) which is located on the southeast corner of Mannheim and Zemke Road.

Economy Lot G is located along Bessie Coleman Drive at the southwest corner of Mannheim and Zemke Road.

You can reach the Economy Lot E by following along the Bessie Coleman Drive at the southeast corner of Mannheim and Zemke Road.

Note: Economy Lot E will be permanently closed starting July 1, 2020.

International Parking Lot (D)

International Parking (Lot D) at ORD airport is adjacent to the International Terminal 5. It’s a short-term parking lot, with rates starting from $3 for the first hour and going up to $77 for extended periods of time.

Valet

You can also use the valet parking option at ORD airport. Valet parking is available in the main garage​ (Lot A) of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Follow the signs saying “Valet Parking” to reach a valet spot.

Valet parking costs $26 flat for the 0-8 hour window, and $64 for 8-24 hour window.

All Transit

Several transportation options are available to and from ORD airport.

Train

You can use train and bus services operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA to reach Chicago ORD Airport or your destination from the airport . The relevant train is known as the "L” or Blue Line train.

CTA Blue Line could be accessed on the lower level of the parking garage. Follow the "Trains to City" signs to reach the stops.

Bus

You can use Go Airport Express service to reach the O'Hare airport or go to your destination from the airport. This service operates after every 10 minutes.

Go Airport Express service pick up points are located outside the Baggage Claim area in the innermost lane of the lower level roadways of the domestic and international terminals. These points are located on Terminal 1 (Door 1E), Terminal 2 (Door 2E), Terminal 3 (Door 3E) and Terminal 5 (Door 5E).

In addition, you can take other regional and inter-city buses from the main bus/shuttle Center located onLevel 1 of the Main Parking Garage between Elevator Centers 3 and 4.

Metra

You can also use the commuter train service operated by Metra to reach the airport or any major destination in Chicago.

Passengers can use the O'Hare Transfer Station to access Metra's North Central Service trains to downtown or the suburbs.

Metra stations are located on the northeast side of O'Hare at Zemke and Mannheim Roads. You can take the shuttle service marked "Metra" from the upper level of each domestic terminal or on the lower level of Terminal 5 to reach the Metra station.

Shuttle

Shuttle service at ORD airport runs after every 5-7 minutes. Shuttle buses are also available in front of the Multi-Modal Facility, located near the Transfer Station.

Taxi

You can also take a taxi to and from the ORD airport. Taxi stands are located on the lower level curb front (outside of Baggage Claim) at each terminal.

Average fare to reach downtown Chicago from O'Hare Airport is approximately $30-$40. However, fares depend on traffic conditions.

Ride-Hailing Services

You can also use Uber, Lyft or any other ride-hailing service at Chicago O'Hare Airport. Here are the designated areas for ride-hailing services at the ORD airport.

Terminal 2: Wait for your ride at the upper level between Door 2A and Door 2D.

• RED Zone - Outside vestibule 2A
• Blue Zone - Outside vestibule 2B
• Orange Zone- Outside vestibule 2C
• Green Zone - Outside vestibule 2D

Terminal 5: Wait for your ride at the lower level Door 5C

Car Rental

Rental car services are also available at ORD airport. You can use the free shuttle service marked “Rental Cars/Parking Lot F” from the lower level (baggage claim) to reach the rental car stations.

Several cab companies and car rental services operate at ORD airport, including Dollar, ACD, National, Payless, Hertz and Fox.

Rental car agencies are on the lower level near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Look for signs and courtesy phones. From Terminal 5, rental car agencies are available by courtesy telephones located on the lower level. Many rental car agencies also offer courtesy buses to various automobile pick-up/drop-off areas. During the FACE construction project, please look for signs which may indicate a temporary relocation of the rental car areas or courtesy phones.

Alamo - (800) 327-9633
Avis - (800) 331-1212
Budget - (800) 527-0700
Dollar - (800) 800-4000
Enterprise - (800) 867-4595
Hertz - (800) 654-3131
National - (800) 227-7368

Terminal Maps

Interactive Map Link:

Click here to view the map

Service & Amenities

Over 50 stores for shopping

Burger King, McDonald's, Farmer's Fridge, Starbucks, Burrito Beach and all famous fast-food chains

Health Club

Shoe Repair and Shining Center

Sleeping Stations

Foreign currency exchange

Spa

Kids play areas

Barbershop

Yoga room

Brief History

• The Chicago O'Hare airport started as an airfield for Douglas manufacturing plant for military planes during World War II.
• ORD airport remained the World's Busiest Airport of the jet age from 1963 through1998.
• The U.S. Air Force used the airfield of the airport during the Korean War. It also housed the 62nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flying North American F-86 Sabres from 1950 to 1959.
• O'Hare's first international terminal opened in August 1958.
• The first scheduled jet at O'Hare Airport was an American 707, flying from New York to Chicago to San Francisco on March 22, 1959.
• United Airlines and American Airlines established their hubs at ORD airport in the 1980s.