Chicago O'Hare (ORD): A Traveler's Guide
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) sits about 17 miles (27 km) northwest of downtown Chicago and remains one of the busiest airports in the world, with four passenger terminals (1, 2, 3, and 5) connected by the free Airport Transit System (ATS) train — Terminal 5 handles most international arrivals, so if you're connecting to a domestic flight in Terminals 1–3, budget time to ride the ATS or take the connecting walkway plus a security recheck.
Immigration and security
Non-US citizens clear US Customs and Border Protection in Terminal 5; automated passport kiosks and Mobile Passport Control speed things up for eligible travelers, but lines can still stretch during big evening international arrival waves. If you're a US citizen or connecting onward domestically, you'll typically reclear TSA security after collecting bags and clearing customs. Domestic travelers should budget the standard two hours before departure; international departures deserve three, especially during holidays or bad-weather days when O'Hare's schedule tends to back up city-wide.
Getting into the city
The CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 directly from the airport (Terminal 1's lower level, with a connecting walkway from other terminals) to the Loop in about 45 minutes for a flat $5 fare — it's the cheapest and often fastest way downtown, especially at rush hour when the Kennedy Expressway backs up. Metra's North Central Service also connects O'Hare (via a shuttle bus to the Metra station) to Union Station, but service is far less frequent and mainly useful for reverse commuters. Taxis and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) take 30–45 minutes in light traffic and upwards of an hour during rush hour, running roughly $40–65 depending on the operator and pickup zone.
Practical tips
O'Hare is a major connecting hub for both domestic and transatlantic flights, and misconnects are common in bad Midwest weather — if you have a tight connection, especially under 60–75 minutes, it's worth checking your airline's minimum connection time for ORD specifically before booking. The free unlimited Wi-Fi (network "Free_ORD_WiFi" or "Boingo Hotspot") works throughout the airport and is genuinely fast, so it's a fine place to work while you wait out a delay. If you're heading downtown, skip the taxi line during afternoon rush and take the Blue Line instead — it's usually both cheaper and quicker.