Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, US · 27 km (17 mi) northwest of downtown Chicago
Getting to the city
| Mode | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Transit System ATS People mover · Every ~3–5 min · 24/7 | About 10–15 min end-to-end Terminals–Multi-Modal Facility | $0 |
| CTA Blue Line Metro train · Every 2–8 min daytime · Every ~20–30 min overnight · 24/7 | 40–45 min in-vehicle O’Hare–Loop | $2.50–5.00 |
| GO Airport Shuttle Shared shuttle · Operates daily with on-demand/slot-based departures; exact headways vary | Typically 45–90+ min including shared stops | $25–40 per person to downtown (varies by destination and promo) |
| Greyhound Intercity coach · Route-dependent; no dedicated ORD terminal frequency | Depends on route; no dedicated ORD–Greyhound through service | Varies widely by route; no fixed ORD-specific fare |
Insider notes
The neon ‘Sky’s the Limit’ tunnel between Terminals 1 B and C is a must-see. Walk on the left side near the moving walkways to save time.
Tortas Frontera, in Terminals 1 and 3, is a favorite for authentic Chicago flavors. Avoid the long lines by ordering through the airport app.
For some peace, head to the far ends of Terminal 2 near F gates away from the crowded central concourses.
Live departures
Full board →| Flight | To | Sched | Est | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJ264 | AMM | 20:00 | 12:30 | Delayed |
| WY5244 | AMM | 20:00 | 12:30 | Delayed |
| AA9241 | AMM | 20:00 | 12:30 | Delayed |
| AA677 | GEG | 09:50 | 12:29 | Departed |
| AS6141 | GEG | 09:50 | 12:29 | Departed |
O'Hare without the stress — the Blue Line, the ATS train, and the terminals
O’Hare is one of the great American connecting hubs, shared between United and American, and it has the size to match. It is arranged as three linked domestic terminals — 1, 2, and 3 — plus Terminal 5 for most international arrivals and departures. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 connect airside, so domestic connections between them can stay behind security.
The Terminal 5 catch
Terminal 5 has historically stood apart from the domestic terminals. If you are connecting from an international arrival at T5 onto a domestic flight in T1-T3, you generally clear customs, collect and recheck bags, and move between buildings — so give that connection real time. The Airport Transit System (ATS), an automated people mover, links all the terminals along with the remote parking and the rental-car center, and it is the way to move between T5 and the rest without a car.
Getting into Chicago
The CTA Blue Line train runs 24 hours a day from a station beneath the terminals straight into downtown Chicago and the Loop, in roughly 45 minutes for a low flat fare. It is the most reliable option because it never sits in traffic. By road, the airport is about 27 km northwest of the center, and the Kennedy Expressway can be slow at the wrong hours.
Worth knowing
O’Hare’s weather reputation is earned. Its position and volume mean that snow, thunderstorms, and wind ripple into delays across the whole US network, so a connection here in winter or during summer storm season deserves a cushion. Inside, the terminals are large and the walk to a distant gate — especially United’s Terminal 1 concourses — can be long, so don’t cut your timing to the minimum.
Do You Go Through Customs on a Layover? Real Rules
Most countries let you skip customs on a layover. The US, Canada, and Australia don't. Here's the exact rule by itinerary type, plus real connection times.
Chicago O’Hare as an Office: 12 Lounges, $2.25 Transit, and How to Work a Long Delay
Turn Chicago O’Hare into a functional workday: use ORD’s 12-lounge network, $2.25 buses, and Blue Line access to decide where you should actually sit, spend, and get things done during a long delay.
Airport EV Charging: Which Airports Have It, Free or Not
Which US airports really have EV charging — TPA, SEA, HNL, DFW, ATL, LAX — whether it's free or metered per kWh, and how to spot a fake 'EV Charging' listing.
Other United Airlines hubs
Where is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)?
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is in Chicago, US, a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines.
How many terminals does Chicago O'Hare International Airport have?
Chicago O'Hare International Airport has 4 terminals, handling around 54.0M passengers a year.
How do I get from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Chicago?
Ground options include Airport Transit System ATS, CTA Blue Line, GO Airport Shuttle — Airport Transit System ATS takes about About 10–15 min end-to-end Terminals–Multi-Modal Facility ($0).