Getting to and from Chicago OHare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is rated as the third largest airport in the world, due to the many passengers that pass through it on a yearly basis (over 60 million), and as a very important international gateway to the United States of America. The airport is also rated as second busiest in the world in terms of aircraft movements. Its official IATA code is ORD, and the airport is often referred to as the Chicago International Airport, the O’Hare Airport, the O’Hare Field, the Chicago Airport or simply as O’Hare. Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions are quite easy to follow, as the airport is surrounded by a number of prominent highways. Airport directions can also be obtained from a number of online and offline sources.

The airport of Chicago O’Hare International is located approximately 17 miles northwest from the Chicago Loop, and in the most north-western corner of Chicago. The airport is found in the state of Illinois, and mostly in Cook County, although part of it is also considered to be in DuPage County. Areas that lie very nearby to the airport grounds include Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Franklin Park, Bensenville, Schiller Park and Wood Dale, and the airport is also just north of the White Pines Country Club, The River Forest Golf Club and Northlake. On a larger scale, Chicago O’Hare Airport is considered as south of Green Bay and Milwaukee, southeast of Madison and Minneapolis, east of Cedar Rapids and Rockford, northwest of Indianapolis and Gary and northeast of St. Louis and Springfield. On the eastern side of Chicago city, and its airport, lies the large Michigan Lake, with Muskegon, Holland, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, South Blend and Lansing just on the other side. In terms of states, Illinois lies to the east of Iowa and Missouri and to the west of Indiana. Other surrounding states include Wisconsin and Michigan.

The Interstate roads nearby the Chicago O’Hare Airport are the I-190, I90 and I-294, and additional roads of importance for airport access include W. Higgins Road and Mannheim Road. Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions are well indicated by signs from all major roads in the vicinity.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions from Chicago city

Motorists from the city of Chicago should travel on the Kennedy Expressway, or the Interstate-90, in a westerly direction. When nearing the airport, the I-190 is taken west towards the terminal buildings. However, passengers may like to take a different route if they are using one of the more remote parking areas, as the Economy Lots E and F are found nearer to Zemke Boulevard, off Mannheim Road. For these parking areas, motorists should take the Exit at Mannheim North off the I-190, and travel for approximately a quarter mile on Mannheim Road, to the stop lights before Higgins Road. Signs to the parking lots will be seen on both sides of Zemke Road. Passengers will need to take the shuttle bus service to the Airport Transit System (ATS) that links the terminal buildings. Parking areas are available closer to the terminal buildings as well. When approaching the airport complex, Terminal 5 is found on the left hand side of the I-190, before the other passenger terminals.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions from the north

From areas further north, such as Milwaukee and Kenosha, the I-94 provides a connection to the I-294, which in turn leads to the Kennedy Expressway to the airport or to Chicago city. Areas along the way include Caledonia, Pleasant Prairie, Waukegan, North Chicago and Northbrook.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions from the south and west

The I-90 in an easterly direction leads to the airport from Rockford, and another main road from the west is the I-88 from Davenport. The I-88 passes Sterling, Rochelle, Dekalb, Aurora and Naperville, before linking to the I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) that heads north towards Chicago O’Hare Airport. The I-294 is therefore also one of the roads leading from southern areas of Chicago, such as Oak Lawn, Blue Island, Markham, Glenwood and Chicago Heights. The I-57 continues further south past Kankakee, and towards Paxton, Rantoul and Champaign. Another Interstate south of Chicago is the I-65 towards Lafayette.

The main roads of Chicago are very busy, and passengers should therefore leave in plenty of time for their departure flight. It may take a while to find the correct terminal as well, the check-in areas and the right departure gate, as there are four passenger terminals and nine concourses that make up the airport complex. Terminal 5 is the international terminal from where most international flights depart, Terminal 1 is used by United Airlines and Terminal 2 is from where many US Airways and Delta Air Lines flights depart. Terminal 3 is the hub facility for American Airlines. There is no Terminal 4 at Chicago O’Hare Airport. Each passenger terminal is well equipped with facilities, and is accessible to disabled passengers. There are airport lounges in all terminals, including two American Airlines Admirals Clubs, a Flagship Lounge, a United Club and a Skyclub operated by Delta. Each terminal has an excellent variety of shops and restaurants, and power stations with work areas. There is a medical centre at the airport as well, and a chapel, and airport volunteers circulate the buildings to provide assistance for passengers. A number of information desks are also available. Transport between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the International Terminal 5 is provided by the ATS, or Airport Transit System. The people mover system of the airport is very efficient, and runs on a track of 2.7 miles.

Passengers who would prefer not to drive to Chicago O’Hare International Airport can travel by train, bus or taxi. The ‘L’ CTA Blue Line trains arrive at the airport station from many areas in downtown Chicago, and bus companies such as the Go Airport Express provide transport from downtown Chicago hotels and other areas in the city. Airport buses travel between Chicago O’Hare Airport and the Chicago Midway Airport as well, and PACE buses take passengers to various Blue Line train stations. PACE is also the bus that links the remote parking areas to the ATS. A taxi from Chicago city will cost between $35.00 and $40.00.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport directions in greater detail can be found online at http://maps.google.com. The airport can also be contacted at their customer service number of 1-773-686-2200.