How early should I get to ORD?
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL · Checked Oct 14, 2026
The short answer
Delta recommends arriving at least 2 hours before domestic departures; ORD is not on Delta's list of airports needing more time. The Chicago Department of Aviation tells travelers to check with their airline.
Those are blanket rules. Your real number depends on your terminal, the time of day, traffic from your door, and whether you have PreCheck or a bag. Leave By works out your exact leave time.
Source: delta.com
Security lines at ORD
Nationally, TSA checkpoints are busiest from 5 to 7 AM local time. See TSA's hourly numbers and the busiest days to fly.
TSA PreCheck: Per the Chicago Department of Aviation's TSA page, PreCheck runs at Checkpoint 2 (T1, 4am-8:30pm), Checkpoint 5 (T2, 3:30am-8pm), Checkpoint 7A (T3, 3:30am-8:30pm) and Checkpoint 10 (T5, 3:45am-8:30pm). Hours may change with daily airport activity, and a September 2026 third-party guide lists somewhat different hours. Terminal 5's Checkpoint 10 is the only 24-hour checkpoint.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Touchless ID: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is listed at ORD for Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United (opt in through your airline profile)
Terminals and checkpoints
Terminal 1
United, Lufthansa, ANA
- United's main terminal (Concourses B and C)
- CLEAR is reported in Terminal 1
- TSA PreCheck enrollment center in Terminal 1 baggage claim near door 1G
Terminal 2
Air Canada, Alaska, JetBlue
- CTA Blue Line station is reached from Terminal 2 (lower level of the main parking garage, signed 'Trains to City')
- Rideshare pickup is on the upper level (orange poles 2A-2G); Terminal 5 arrivals ride the ATS here for rideshare
- CLEAR is reported in Terminal 2
- Terminal 2 is slated for replacement by the O'Hare Global Terminal; work on it is scheduled to begin in 2026
Terminal 3
American, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Aer Lingus
- Rideshare pickup is on the upper level (green poles 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K)
- ElevateT3 renovation continues while the terminal stays open
Terminal 5
Delta, Southwest, Frontier, Sun Country, Avelo, most international carriers
- Not connected to Terminals 1-3 on foot after security
- No rideshare pickup at Terminal 5; take the ATS (about 5 minutes) to Terminal 2
- CLEAR is reported in Terminal 5
Between terminals: Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by walkways after security (up to about a 20-minute walk end to end). Terminal 5 is not: use the landside Airport Transit System (24/7, every 3-5 minutes at peak) and re-clear security. Connecting passengers can use the airside Terminal Transfer Bus (T1/T3 to T5, every 15 minutes, 11:30am-9:30pm).
Terminals are not connected after security. Go to the right terminal the first time.
Getting to ORD
Rideshare and taxi: Rideshare pickup: Terminal 2 upper level (poles 2A-2G) or Terminal 3 upper level (poles 3G-3K). Terminal 5 has none; take the ATS to Terminal 2. Black car pickup is on the lower level of every terminal.
Transit: CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 from the station reached via Terminal 2 / the main parking garage; about 40-45 minutes to the Loop
Driving and parking: Hourly parking in the main garage (Lot A, next to the domestic terminals) and Lot D (next to Terminal 5). Economy Lot F is reached by the free ATS. Free cell phone lot at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive.
Construction and changes in 2026
- Satellite Concourse 1 started vertical construction in April 2026, targeting completion in late 2028
- Work on Terminal 2 (to become the O'Hare Global Terminal, targeted for 2032) is scheduled to begin in 2026
- Terminal 3 ElevateT3 renovation continues with the terminal open
- The Terminal Transfer Bus stop at Terminal 1 Gate B1 is temporarily closed for construction; service moved to Gate C18B
Checking a bag
United and American: check in and drop bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure (60 minutes for international). Delta: bags 45 minutes before domestic departure, 30 minutes to check in without bags. Southwest: checked bags at the counter 45 minutes before domestic departure.
ORD tips first-timers miss
- Terminal 5 (Delta, Southwest, Frontier and most international flights) is not connected to Terminals 1-3 after security, so go straight to the right terminal
- Most checkpoints close between 8pm and 11pm; Terminal 5's Checkpoint 10 is the only one open 24 hours
- PreCheck lanes at most checkpoints close around 8-8:30pm; evening flyers may face standard lanes only
- Uber and Lyft pickup is only at Terminals 2 and 3 (upper level); arrivals at Terminal 5 must ride the ATS to Terminal 2
- The CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 between O'Hare and the Loop, about 40-45 minutes
Leaving for ORD?
Pick your flight and where you're starting. Leave By checks live traffic, security lines and your terminal, and tells you the minute to walk out the door.
Free. No account.
Questions travelers ask
How early should I get to O'Hare?
Delta recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight, and the Chicago Department of Aviation tells travelers to check with their airline. Leave extra time if your flight is from Terminal 5, which isn't connected to the other terminals after security.
Can you walk between terminals at O'Hare after security?
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected after security. Terminal 5 isn't: use the ATS train (24/7) and go through security again, or, if connecting, the Terminal Transfer Bus (11:30am-9:30pm).
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at O'Hare?
On the upper level of Terminal 2 (orange poles 2A-2G) and Terminal 3 (green poles 3G-3K). There is no rideshare pickup at Terminal 5.
Sources
- Fly Chicago - TSA Information (O'Hare checkpoint hours)
- Fly Chicago - Security and Customs
- Fly Chicago - Transportation Between Terminals
- Fly Chicago - Airport Transit System
- Fly Chicago - Taxi, Limo, TNP
- Upgraded Points - Chicago O'Hare airport guide (updated Sept 7, 2026)
- Simple Flying - O'Hare Global Terminal modernization (Aug 16, 2026)
- The Bulkhead Seat - TSA PreCheck Touchless ID airport list (Mar 16, 2026)
- Delta - Check-In Times at U.S. Airports
- AP via MyNorthwest - United narrows check-in window; airline comparison (May 2025)
Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.