Everything you need to know about traveling to ORD and getting around the airport.
In this guide:
- Getting to Chicago O’Hare Airport
- Arriving at the airport
- O’Hare Airport Check-In
- O’Hare Airport Security
- Boarding & Connecting Flights at ORD
- Chicago O’Hare Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat?
- O’Hare Airport Shops
- O’Hare Airport Duty Free
- O’Hare Airport WiFi
Arriving & Checking In
Address: 10000 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60666
Getting to Chicago O’Hare Airport
Streamline your Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) experience by preparing your travel itinerary in advance. Tailor your travel arrangements with Airport Parking Reservations and pre-book parking, with choices available within your budget, party size, and flight timings.
Navigating ORD is seamless by car or public transportation. Options include buses, shuttles, and the ‘L’ train. Motorists can rely on GPS for efficient terminal routes to navigate to airport parking lots. Explore both on-site and off-site parking through our reservation system; off-site choices often provide cost-effective solutions, complemented by shuttle services for quick terminal transfers.
Driving directions to O’Hare Airport can be found by entering the destination into your satnav, but you’ll most likely want to drive to your parking lot. Offsite O’Hare Airport parking can prove much cheaper than onsite options, and shuttle services ensure you reach your terminal on time, making these lots worth considering.
Arriving at the airport
How early to get to ORD is decided by the time of your flight and the airline you’ve booked to fly with:
- Passengers for domestic flights should arrive at the airport two hours before departure.
- Travelers on international flights should aim to get to the airport three hours before departure.
Spring Break and summer periods can often be busier at ORD Airport, so we advise arriving at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
O’Hare Airport Check-In
Airline check-in times at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) will vary depending on your specific flight. We recommend contacting your airline directly for the most up-to-date information. For a faster experience, we recommend exploring the online check-in options if this is available from your airline.
O’Hare Airport Security
Security wait times at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) vary depending on when you are traveling. Please allow extra time for processing, especially during peak travel hours and the summer season, to ensure a stress-free journey.
Boarding & Connecting Flights at ORD
Connecting through Chicago O’Hare Airport? Monitor your connecting flight’s departure status using airport displays and online trackers for real-time gate and departure time updates across all terminals.
If you’re checking baggage, confirm re-check procedures and ensure you have all necessary boarding passes. Contact your airline for specific luggage policies and check-in if you’re connecting your flight.
Facilities & Services
Chicago O’Hare Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat?
ORD Airport encompasses both popular high-street favorites and unique local dining. Featuring popular eateries such as Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, Billy Goat Tavern & Grill and Eli’s Cheesecakes, there’s plenty of offerings for all palates.
Get the lowdown on the Top Spots for Foodies at Chicago O’Hare Airport.
Make sure to keep updated on opening hours for your favorite eateries, as the time of day you are traveling may not coincide with the opening hours of certain restaurants. Popular chains such as Starbucks are ideal for quick grab and go foods.
O’Hare Airport Shops
You’ll find a mix of stores including newsstands, bookstores, electronics retailers, clothing and accessories boutiques, and gift shops at ORD Airport.
Hudson’s is a popular choice for items for convenience such as snacks, drinks and travel necessities. For popular retail shopping, MAC Cosmetics and COACH are available. InMotion is ideal for travelers who want to invest in new travel tech such as headphones.
O’Hare Airport Duty Free
Have you got some travel spends available? Save on shopping at O’Hare with Duty Free Americas. Discover exceptional deals on premium brands and find the perfect travel gifts, conveniently located throughout all terminals.
O’Hare Airport WiFi
ORD Airport provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi access throughout all of its terminals, both pre- and post-security. The Wi-Fi network is identified as “_Free_ORD _Wi-Fi and can be connected to in your cell phone’s network settings.
If you’ve got time on your hands between flights check out these things to do at Chicago O’Hare Airport to while away the hours.
O’Hare Airport Wheelchair Services
O’Hare Airport is dedicated to offering an excellent travel experience for all passengers which includes providing a range of accessibility services and facilities to help passengers navigate the airport. Find out how to get a wheelchair at O’Hare Airport in our accessibility guide.
Main photo:
Photo by Gary Meulemans – Unsplash
