The insider's guide, from travelers who've actually been through.
O’Hare has five active terminals. T1 is United’s main domestic hub, T2 handles regional and some United domestic, T3 covers American and international OneWorld partners, and T5 is the international terminal for non-US and non-UA/AA international departures. Getting between T5 and the domestic terminals requires the Airport Transit System (ATS) underground shuttle, which adds 10 to 15 minutes. Factor that into connection times. Immigration at T5 for non-US arrivals can be slow, especially during evening bank arrivals from Europe and Asia.
Before your layover here
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The CTA Blue Line runs from O’Hare directly to downtown Chicago in about 45 minutes, costing USD 5. This is one of the better airport-to-city rail connections in the US: it runs 24 hours and drops you at major downtown stops including Monroe/State and Clark/Lake. Taxis and ride-share from the terminal to downtown run USD 35 to 55 in normal traffic. During rush hours, budget an extra 20 to 30 minutes. If traveling to Midtown/North Side, the Blue Line is usually faster than taxis from around 07:30 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | United Club | United status / PP (limited) / Paid | Yes | Strong buffet, reliable option | About USD 59 at desk; verify |
| T1 | United Polaris Lounge | United Polaris class / 1K | Yes | Premium dining, full meals | Class / top status only |
| T3 | Admirals Club | American status / AA card / Paid | Yes | Good option for AA pax in T3 | Day pass USD 79; card access |
| T3 | Centurion Lounge | Centurion card holders | Yes | Premium food and bar | Card access only |
| T5 | No1 Lounge / Plaza Premium | Priority Pass / Paid | Yes | Best option for intl departures from T5 | About USD 50-70; confirm at desk |
Free WiFi is available throughout ORD. Showers are accessible through lounge day passes. Prayer rooms are located in T2 and near T5. O’Hare is mid-renovation through the late 2020s, so construction noise and temporary configurations are part of the experience. New gates and an expanded T5 are under development. For domestic connections, the ATS between T1-2-3 and T5 is reliable but add the extra 15 minutes to your planning. Allow 3 hours before international departure as a baseline at T5. As of early 2026, verify entry requirements for your nationality.
For more on what to do during your layover, see the Chicago layover guide.
