ORD Chicago O'Hare airport guide
ORD
Chicago O'Hare
Chicago, United States
United + American hub. 4 terminals (1, 2, 3, 5). T5 is international.
Getting from ORD to Chicago
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA Blue Line | $5 | 45 min | 24/7. Direct to Loop. Best value. |
| Taxi | $40-60 | 30-60 min | Watch I-90 traffic. |
| Uber/Lyft | $25-45 | 30-60 min | Available. |
| Pace bus | $2.50 | 60+ min | Limited routes. |
Lounges
- United Polaris Lounge (T1)
- American Flagship
- Air France/KLM (T5)
- Priority Pass: 3 lounges
What to do on a layover
4h layover
Stay airside. Walk the tunnel between T2/T3 — neon light installation.
8h layover
CTA Blue Line to Loop → quick deep dish pizza + Bean photo. Back 2.5h ahead.
12h layover
Add Art Institute or Lincoln Park Zoo. Hilton ORD connected.
Wifi & connectivity
Free unlimited 'Boingo Hotspot'. Spotty.
Sleep + rest options
Hilton connected. Sleep pods at T1, T3. Lots of seating but cold at night.
⚠ Important gotcha
ORD frequently delays in winter (snow) and summer (thunderstorms). Build buffer.