Airport Guide to Chicago-O’Hare International (ORD)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the world’s most important transport hubs, offering connections to more cities than any other airport in the world. A mind-blowing 77 million passengers pass through the airport each year, yet its intelligent design, full range of facilities and amenities and highly professional staff ensure that transit experiences are routinely pleasant.

Flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport are offered by a massive variety of airlines, both American and international. It is one of the most common layover destinations, along with Washington Dulles and New York JFK, for international flights into the US.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport has received the Global Traveller Award for Best Airport in North America ten years in a row.

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Terminal Transfer

Chicago O’Hare International Airport consists of four terminals – 1, 2, 3, and 5 (Terminal 4 is now defunct) – which are connected by a free 24-hour Airport Transit System (ATS), a kind of light rail service that runs every four minutes. It takes 10 minutes to reach Terminal 5 from Terminal 1. It is possible to walk between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (but it takes about half an hour to reach one from the other).

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Getting into Town

Located 29km (18 miles) from downtown Chicago, there are many convenient transport options available to travellers looking to get into the city from O’Hare International Airport.

Train: By far the easiest way to access downtown Chicago from O’Hare is the 24-hour CTA Blue Line train ($3 peak time; $2 off-peak). Services run about every ten minutes from the airport, and it’s just a 45-minute journey to Washington, Monroe or Jackson Stations on central Dearborn Street. To get to the airport train station from Terminals 1, 2 or 3, follow the ‘Trains to City’ or ‘CTA Trains’ signs (should take you 10 minutes on foot). From Terminal 5, you can catch the free shuttle to the train station (allow 15 minutes to get there).

Taxi: Taxis are freely available at the stands outside the baggage reclaim area. There is no fixed charge or prepaid fee; you’ll be charged the standard Chicago rate of $2.25 for the first mile and then $1.80 for each mile after that. It should cost $40-$45 to get into town, and take 45-90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Bus: The Bus and Shuttle Centre is located in Terminal 3, opposite the Hilton Hotel. From here, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs regular buses to destinations all over downtown Chicago and its surrounding areas. The standard fare is $2.50, and there’ll be plenty of people around and on-hand to make sure you get on the right bus for your destination.

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Car Parking

Parking facilities at O’Hare International Airport are divided into three Main Parking Lots (A, B, C), an International Parking Lot (D), three Economy Lots (E, F and G), a Valet Parking Lot, and a free Cell Phone Lot for pick-up and drop-off only. The International Lot (D) charges $6 for up to 2 hours, $10 for up to 4 hours and $51 if you park for more than 13 and less than 24 hours. The Main and Valet Parking Lots are free for the first ten minutes; thereafter, the Main Parking Lots charge $2 for up to one hour, $4 for up to 2 hours, $14 for up to 6 hours and $31 for a period of 11-24 hours. Valet Parking is more expensive, charging $10 for the first hour, $17 for 2 hours, $21 for 3 hours, and $46 for anything between 8 and 24 hours. The Economy Lots E, F and G charge $2 for first hour (or part thereof) and $5 for up to three hours, but then get very cheap, with Lot E charging $17 for a 9-24 hour parking period, and Lot F only $9 for a 5-24 hour parking period.

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Information Desks

Information desks are located in Terminals 1, 3 and 5. The multi-lingual staff are on hand 24 hours a day, and willing to provide good information to passengers who need help finding their way around the maze-like airport, or confused about how to get into downtown Chicago. There are also two Travelers Aid booths, located in Terminal 2.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: There is a full-service bank (Seaway) at the airport, as well as ATMs and bureaux de change in all of the terminals. There is also a full-service post office, located in the upper levels of Terminal 2.

Luggage: Trolleys are widely available throughout the passenger areas. There are lost property offices, administered by the Chicago Police Department, located in the upper levels of all the terminals.

Conference and business: There is a comprehensive business centre, featuring extensive meeting facilities, at the Hilton O’Hare Airport in Terminal 2. A wide variety of business-related facilities are available there, including fax, scanning, binding, photocopying, packing and shipping. There is also Laptop Lane, located in Terminal 1, providing workstations with internet connectivity, IDD telephones, and fax and printing facilities.

Other facilities: Other facilities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport include baby-changing facilities, medical facilities, TVs, a 24-hour interfaith chapel, and full access and facilities for disabled passengers.

Wi-Fi: High-speed Wi-Fi access is available throughout the airport, in all the passenger areas. Unfortunately, this service is not free; you’ll have to buy a prepaid Boingo voucher from one of the airport kiosks.

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