AirportsMadeSimple™

Navy Pier and Skyline, Chicago, IL

CHICAGO O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (“ORD”)
10000 West O’Hare, Chicago, IL 60666

AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: When you run a Yahoo or Google map, THE ABOVE “OFFICIAL” ADDRESS SHOWS UP AS “NOT VALID.” 1) Use Bensenville, IL, and 2) don’t use zip codes.

Terminal map: CLICK HERE
Weather link:  CLICK HERE
Road conditions: CLICK HERE

NAVY PIER MAP: Click Here

FLYING IN:

NOTE: Construction until 2014.

TRANSPORTATION:

What’s available?  Numerous types of transportation (see below).

Please note the onsite transit information office is open from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., seven (7) days a week. That means if you have any questions, plan ahead if you arrive any time outside these parameters.

Airport Transit System
Airport Shuttles
CTA Blue Line
METRA
PACE
Kiss ‘N Fly
Taxis – located on the lower level
Limos (with prior reservation)

AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP:  Chicago Transit Tracker Pro for Android can be downloaded HERE.

RENTAL CARS:
Do you really need a car? Maybe. The airport is 17 miles from downtown Chicago. If you’re used to trains, Chicago has a great train system. If you’re not, I’d rent a car.

AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: Parking is VERY EXPENSIVE and hard to find.
Bottom line: Talk to your hotel concierge/friends, etc…and plan ahead.

Where are rental CARS located? Offsite, on Bessie Coleman Drive (check agency for exact address).

Where are rental car COUNTERS located? Onsite and by courtesy phones.
OPEN 24 HOURS
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.

AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: Even though the rental car agencies say they are “open 24 hours,” it’s always a good idea to confirm with your agency if you’re arriving before 6:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.

Total time from gate to car:  Allow one (1) hour, excluding baggage claim time

BONUS TIPS:

Restaurants/Food:  Most open at 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.   Anything before/after those hours will be sketchy, but there are snack bars and markets throughout.

Smoking allowed? No

Construction?  Yes – According to the City of Chicago, a “runway project, Runway 10C-28C, is now under construction. It will be an Airplane Design Group VI capable runway, built to accommodate new aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A-380.” The improvements will result in a total of eight (8) runways, and the construction is slated to be finished in 2014.

FLYING OUT:

TRAVELING TO AIRPORT:

Construction? Yes. Please allow additional time (see notes above).

Will peak traffic times affect you? Yes. Please allow additional travel time.

ARRIVING AT AIRPORT:

Signs clearly marked for departure/arrival, parking and rental car returns? Yes
AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: Parking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There is covered garage parking and outdoor lot parking. For immediate parking availability information, please call (773) 686-7530.

RENTAL CARS:

Located offsite or onsite? Offsite – physical address is 10000 Bessie Coleman Drive, Chicago, IL 60666. Contact your rental car agency for further particulars.

Total time from drop-off to security: Allow an hour (may take less, but construction is the unknown)

TERMINAL(S):

More than one? Yes. There are FOUR total: THREE domestic (Terminals 1, 2 and 3), ONE international (Terminal 5). NOTE: There is no Terminal 4. (Since the opening of Terminal 5, Terminal 4 has been changed into the airport’s facility for CTA buses, shuttles and more.)

SECURITY CHECKPOINTS:

Multiple locations? Yes

Average clearance time (excluding First Class and Priority): Stats say FIVE to TWENTY minutes. I’d allow 30 minutes.

www.ClearMe.com available? No

WI-FI:

Free or pay? Pay – good signal

BONUS TIPS:

Curbside check available? Yes (seems “iffy,” so check with your airline’s site)

Food: Wide variety of sit-down restaurants, fast food, and markets.  Most open at 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.   Anything before/after those hours will be sketchy, but there are snack bars and markets throughout.
AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: They’ve just opened two new wine bars.

Hotels onsite?  Yes.  The Hilton at Terminal 2.  There are numerous other hotels within approximately 10 minutes of the airport.

AIRPORTSMADESIMPLE TIP: Unfortunately, O’Hare is known for its delays.  Plan accordingly and bring a good book!