OVERVIEW
DRIVING
O'Hare is about 17 miles northwest of Chicago's Loop. If you're driving, note that rush-hour traffic can begin as early as 7 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m.
To avoid airport traffic, have someone pick you up or drop you off at the Kiss 'n' Fly stop off Bessie Coleman Drive, which connects to the airport via a free, 24-hour shuttle.
The airport is going through some external renovations that may prompt officials to close some roads and vestibule doors, but all terminals will remain accessible. Construction will be limited to 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Check the O'Hare Web site for construction phase updates.
Passenger pick-up: Drivers picking up passengers can park for free and wait for up to an hour at the cell phone waiting lot at Economy Parking Lot F off Bessie Coleman Drive.
PARKING
Get real-time O'Hare parking information via e-mail or on the Web.
Cheapest: Economy parking is $9 a day in Lot F. Economy lots E and G are $13 a day. (Travelers who park in lots F and G must take a shuttle bus to Lot E, where they can board the free light-rail Airport Transit System to the terminals.)
- O'Hare's remote skycap program allows domestic passengers to check their baggage and receive their boarding pass and seat assignment at a staffed kiosk in Economy Parking Lot E; then board the Airport Transit System and proceed directly to their gate. The fee for this service is $5.
Most convenient: Daily parking is $26 in lots A, B and C, and $30 at the International Terminal. Hourly parking is $2 for up to an hour.
Valet parking: $32 a day on Level 1 of the parking garage.
More parking info: Tune to 800 AM for parking availability and fees, call (773) 686-7530, or visit the airport Web site.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Trains: CTA Blue Line trains provide 24-hour service between the airport and downtown Chicago. The ride costs $2 and takes about 45 minutes. Plan your CTA route
The Metra North Central commuter rail line, with five daily inbound and outbound trains, links Chicago's Union Station to a transfer stop at O'Hare (connected to the terminals by 24-hour shuttle). The fare is $3.30.
Pace Suburban Bus Service serves public transit stations in Evanston, Skokie, Des Plaines, LaGrange, Bellwood and Mannheim. A one-way ticket is $1.50.
Cab: A cab ride between O'Hare and the Loop costs about $35 to $40.
Shuttle: Shuttle buses serve passengers from downtown and the north suburbs for about $25.
RENTAL CARS AT ORD
The following rental car companies serve O'Hare: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
GETTING AROUND THE AIRPORT
Get maps of the terminals
The free, light-rail Airport Transit System connects terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 and long-term parking lot E.
AMENITIES/USEFUL INFO
ATMs: Located in all terminals.
Information for travelers with disabilities
Lost and Found: 773-686-2385. For items lost at security checkpoints, contact the TSA at (773) 894-8760.
Medical: Emergency treatment and other medical services, including X-rays and immunizations, are provided by doctors, registered nurses and technicians at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Medical Center in Terminal 2, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. No appointment necessary; call (773) 894-5100.
Post office: On the upper level of Terminal 2, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Traveler assistance: An airport information booths is located on upper level of Terminals 2, 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. weekends.
Wireless Internet: Wi-Fi is available throughout the upper level gate areas in all terminals. Service is free for subscribers of AT&T/SBC Freedomlink; Boingo; GoRemote; iBAHN/STSN; iPass; Orange France; Sprint; T-Mobile and WeRoam. For people who don't have accounts with those providers, Internet day passes are available for $6.95.
- In-gate work stations (for users with no laptop/wireless device), equipped with built-in screens and keyboards, provide 15 minutes of Internet access for $5, payable in cash or credit card. Stations are located in T1, near gates B11 (next to Quizno’s) and C9 (UAL Passenger Service desk).
