Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Guide | Terminals, Lounges & Transportation Information

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) is not only the busiest airport in Illinois, it is also among the busiest airports in the world. O'Hare moved more than 857,000 aircraft movements and served over 84.85 million passengers in 2025, with an average of 2,340 flights per day — the most of any airport in the world. ORD serves as the gateway to the Midwestern heartland of America with non-stop flights to 249 destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and is an essential hub of world travel.    

Overview of Chicago O'Hare International Airport 

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the main commercial airport of the Chicago metropolitan area. It's situated on Chicago's Northwest Side, about 17 miles (27 km) from downtown Chicago's Loop neighbourhood.

Many travelers aren't aware of this fun fact: O'Hare doesn't have a Terminal 4. A direct link from Terminal 3 to the dedicated international terminal, Terminal 5.

Key Identifiers

History Of Chicago O'Hare International Airport

The story of Chicago O'Hare International Airport starts with wartime manufacturing rather than flights. During World War II, the land northwest of Chicago, called Orchard Place, became a factory for Douglas C-54 Skymaster planes. They added a runway and a rail line, too, constructing and sending out more than 600 aircraft from there.

Douglas Aircraft left after the war in '45. Then the US Air Force kept using the place. A year later, in '46, Chicago took charge and started turning it into an airport for civilians. Four years on, in '49, they named it Chicago O'Hare Airport for Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the very first Navy flying ace and Medal of Honor winner in WWII.

Regular passenger flights began in '55, but growth was slow because Midway Airport was still numero uno. Yet, as soon as better roads linked up to O'Hare, airlines made the switch in droves. By '61, it was the second busiest airport in America. And just two years after that, O'Hare had the top spot globally for passenger traffic. They held onto that title for a crazy 35 years till '98.

Terminal And Concourse Guide 

O'Hare's got four terminals in use: 1, 2, 3, and 5. Terminals 1, 2, and 3? They're for domestic flights and are linked by walkways and the free Airport Transit System (ATS). Terminal 5, on the other hand, handles international flights and you can get there by hopping on an ATS shuttle.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport Lounge

There are 16 lounges scattered throughout all four terminals, making it one of North America's most extensive networks. 

Terminal 1 (concourses B and C) 

Terminal 2 (concourses E and F)

Terminal 3 (concourses G,H,K,L)

Terminal 1 (concourses M

Ways To and From ORD

O'Hare is one of the more convenient public transit options at any of the big airports in the United States, especially to get to downtown Chicago.

• The CTA Blue Line ("The L") is the quickest and cheapest route to downtown. The Blue Line is 24/7/365 and is flat fare from ORD to the Loop in Chicago, taking about 45 minutes. The station is located on the lower level of the Terminal 2 parking garage, and is connected to Terminals 1-3 by tunnel and to Terminal 5 by the ATS shuttle.

• Metra North Central Service (NCS): Commuter rail service at the northeast corner of the airport at the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). Great for those travelling to the northern suburbs or onward to Union Station in the heart of Chicago.

• Airport Transit System (ATS): A free, all-day, all-night automated train that connects all terminals and the Multi-Modal Facility (home of the rental car center and Metra). The trains depart every 3–5 minutes and are 7–10 minutes long.

• Taxis: There are licensed, metered taxis available at curbside on the lower level of each terminal. The average fare to downtown Chicago is about $50. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) are available by calling Open Taxis central dispatch.  

• Pickup areas for rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are designated on the lower level of each terminal. Drivers can use cell phone waiting areas close to each terminal.  

• Car Rental: All major car rental companies are concentrated at the Multi-Modal Facility with the terminals linked to them through the ATS.

Chicago O'Hare Airport Parking

O'Hare offers a variety of parking options for various durations and price points:

• Main Parking Garage: Short-term and daily parking is located in the Main Parking Garage, which is the closest to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The approximate cost is $43 per day in 2025. Perfect for quick trips and pickups/drop-offs.

• Economy Lots F & G: Long term parking at a discounted rate, limited to about $16/day (2025). These lots are connected to the terminals by a free shuttle.

• Off-Site Parking: There are a number of private parking facilities near ORD that charge as little as $4-$5 per day and provide free shuttle service to the terminals every 10-20 minutes.

Why Chicago O'Hare Airport is Special

O'Hare's significance in global aviation is hard to overstate. For 35 straight years—from 1963 to 1998—it was the world's busiest airport, a record no other airport can match. Even now, it tops the charts for aircraft movements worldwide, logging in at a whopping 857,000 for just 2025—over 2,340 daily.

Located right at the heart of the American Midwest, O'Hare naturally serves as the epicenter of domestic air travel. Both United Airlines and American Airlines have their major hubs there, which means unmatched domestic connections to pretty much every U.S. city you could think of.

Conclusion

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is way more than just a transit point; it’s like a living timeline of American aviation history and a super modern hub designed for the future traveler. Knowing your way around its terminals, lounges, transport links, and parking spots could be what turns your trip into a breeze rather than a headache. With the big ORDNext expansion plans and setting new records in passenger numbers, O'Hare is only growing, making it even better for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the airport code for O'Hare Airport in Chicago? 

IATA code: ORD, ICAO code: KORD. The airport's name was originally Orchard (Douglas) Airport, and the code has remained unchanged since 1949, when the airport was renamed O'Hare.

How far is O'Hare Airport from downtown Chicago? 

O'Hare is approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of downtown Chicago's Loop. The CTA Blue Line takes about 45 minutes to cover the distance, and the ticket costs $5.

What airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare? 

Both United Airlines (Terminal 1) and American Airlines (Terminal 3) have significant hubs at ORD and combined they service about 75% of the passengers.

Does O'Hare have a Terminal 4? 

No. O'Hare's terminals are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5\. There isn't a Terminal 4. The international terminal is Terminal 5, which is located away from the domestic terminal cluster.

Can I take a train from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?

Yeah, you can catch a train from O'Hare to downtown. Just hop on the CTA Blue Line from the lower level of Terminal 2's parking garage. It runs non-stop and is super cheap.