First O'Hare airport says allow ample time for traveling to the airports, ticketing and checking baggage. It is suggested that all domestic and international departing passengers arrive at least two hours prior to their scheduled flight departure. Remember 3-1-1. If planning to travel with liquids, gels or aerosols in carry-on bags, passengers must pack them in 3 ounce or smaller containers; containers must be in a 1 quart-size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag and placed in the security bin. Only one zip-top bag is permitted per traveler. Go to www.tsa.gov for more details. There is a “zero tolerance” policy for illegal parking in and around the airport. Unattended vehicles parked in front of terminal curb fronts will be ticketed and towed.
Touch Screen Information in the Terminals
To further enhance the quality of our travelers' experience, we have introduced Virtual Concierge kiosks in baggage claim areas at O'Hare International Airport. These multilingual, touch-screen kiosks provide a welcome message from Mayor Richard M. Daley, hotel, transportation and airport information in eight languages, including flight status and weather updates, and information on Chicago events and attractions. This new technology serves as a primary source of information about O'Hare and Chicago by helping passengers make travel arrangements by putting relevant information at their fingertips.
Things to do between flights
The Chicago Airport System has worked hard to provide convenience and attractions at Chicago’s airports. For example: Visit the Brachiosaurus Dinosaur in the B concourse of Terminal One. The four-story high, 72-foot long skeleton model is on loan from the Chicago Field Museum. The Butch O’Hare WWII Fighter Airplane Exhibit is located in Terminal Two. The exhibit is a replica of the WWII F3F-4 fighter plane flown by airport namesake and US Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Comdr. Edward "Butch" O’Hare. Kids on the Fly is an interactive play area that educates and entertains children up to twelve years of age and their families. This is located through security - ticketed passengers only. Each terminal area has a wide variety of tasty and healthy food choices. For more details and maps, please go to our Concessions link.
Power Stations
The Chicago Airport System is pleased to introduce Power Stations to O'Hare. These seated workstations with counter space and AC outlets provide travelers with a convenient area to recharge electronic devices such as laptops, cellphones, Blackberrys and MP3 players free of charge. Each are equipped with four to eight seating positions, and are located throughout the terminals at O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Each unit has a wheelchair accessible workstation.
O’Hare’s hourly parking rates are $2 for the first hour and $4 for up to three hours in the parking garage.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is opening “Family Lanes” at each security checkpoint at O’Hare this holiday season to provide a better screening experience for families and individuals with medically necessary liquids. These lanes allow families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures, and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace.
Flight Information - Please go to our link: http://www.flychicago.com/FlightInformation/home.shtm
Drive Here and Park
Valet Parking, Hourly Parking, Daily Parking, Kiss N' Fly, Economy Lot Parking (with free shuttle bus and transport to each terminal) and International Terminal Parking. If picking up passengers, follow signs to the "Cell Phone Lot." Once en route, motorists within a one-mile radius of both airports can tune their radios to 1630 AM for the latest parking information. Parking Hotline: 773/686-7530. For more details go to www.flychicago.com/ohare/
parkingohare/ORDParking.shtm.
Public Transportation: The CTA Blue Line, Metra Train and Pace all take you to and from the airport. Go to www.rtachicago.com and plan your trip. RTA Hotline: 312-836-7000.
Customer Service Hotline: 1-773-686-2200.
USO at O'Hare is located in T-2 Mezzanine Level - before the security check-point. Call 773-686-7396 for details.
ADA Accessibility
All outside sidewalks have sloping curb cuts for easy wheelchair access. Additionally, O'Hare's terminals have extra-wide automatic entry doors on both the upper and lower levels. Throughout the airport facility, restrooms, elevators, signage, telephones, restaurants, drinking fountains, and diaper changing facilities are in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A visual paging system in the International Terminal allows airlines and airport operators to send visual messages to the public. The visual paging system is located adjacent to the flight information monitors. The ATS transport between terminals is also accessible. Please contact your airline if wheelchair assistance is needed.
Rent a Car
Rental car agencies are located on the lower level near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Please look for signs and courtesy phones. From Terminal 5, rental car agencies are available by courtesy telephones located on the lower level. Many rental car agencies also offer courtesy buses to various automobile pick-up/drop-off areas. During the FACE construction project, please look for signs which may indicate a temporary relocation of the rental car areas or courtesy phones.
Take a Taxi
Taxicabs are available on a first come, first serve basis from the lower level curbfront of all terminals. Shared ride service is available. There are no flat rates because all taxicabs run on meters. Expect to spend approximately $40 for a taxicab ride to downtown Chicago. For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call United Dispatch at 1-800-281-4466.
Airport Transit System
The Airport Transit System (ATS) is a free, quick, 24-hour rail system that operates between the three domestic terminals, the international terminal, long-term parking, the Metra station and PACE stop. The ATS is fully automated and spans 2.7 miles. It accommodates up to 2,400 passengers per hour. From beginning to end - Terminal 1 to Lot E - the travel time is just nine minutes. All points on the ATS route system are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Elevators are available at each of the five stops. Free, fully accessible shuttle buses transport visitors to the various terminals and parking lots.
Wi-Fi Internet Connection
Chicago Airport Wi-Fi Networks are safe, secure, and reliable. Wireless devices (e.g. laptops and PDAs), however, can be susceptible to intrusion, in any wireless environment, unless basic wireless security precautions are followed. Print out this link for additional information.
