What Terminal is United at ORD?

If you’re traveling with United Airlines through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), knowing where to go is crucial. So, what terminal is United at ORD? United Airlines operates out of Terminals 1 and 2 for both departures and domestic arrivals. International arrivals, however, are handled at Terminal 5.

Terminal 1 of ORD features Concourses B and C, while Terminal 2 includes Concourses E and F, both offering a range of amenities such as restaurants, shops, and United Clubs. This setup ensures a seamless experience for you, whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally.

United Airlines ORD Terminal—Quick Facts

The table below provides a snapshot of the United Airlines ORD terminal at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Snapshot 

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) has 4 terminals—1, 2, 3, and 5 (international).
• Passenger terminals 1, 2, and 3 (a.k.a. domestic terminals) are connected through pedestrian walkways. Terminal 5—primarily the international terminal—is connected via the Airport Transit System (ATS) and shuttle services.
• United Airlines uses Terminals 1 and 2 at ORD, with international arrivals at Terminal 5.
• Ground transportation options at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) include trains, buses, taxis, limousines, and ride services.
• Parking options include official parking outside the terminals as well as near the Multi-Modal Facility further away.

Layout of United Airlines Terminal at Chicago ORD

Chicago ORD Terminal Map. Image Credit: FlyChicago.com

About Terminal 1

• Terminal 1 comprises Concourses B and C and is the main terminal for United Airlines’ domestic and international flights.
• Concourse B is attached to the main terminal and Concourse C is a satellite terminal. Both terminals are connected through an underground walkway.
• Concourse B has gates B1-12, B14, B16 and 16A, B17 and 17A, and B18-24.
• Concourse C has gates C1-10, C10A, C11, C15, C16 and 16A, C17-18-18A, C19-23, and C25-31.
• Concourses B and C have restaurants, shops, and the United Club.

About Terminal 2

• Terminal 2 comprises 41 gates across 2 concourses—Concourses E and F.
• Concourse E has gates E1-17.
• The E gates are on the right and the F gates are on the left until Terminal 2 forks into separate concourses.
• Concourse F has gates F1, F3-7, F9-12, F14-17, and F19-28.
• Both concourses have shops and restaurants.
• Concourse F also has a United Club.

Services and Amenities—United Airlines Terminal at ORD

• Cafes and Restaurants: There are more than 130 food outlets at ORD. For location and other details, refer to the airport’s website.
• Wi-Fi: ORD offers unlimited free Wi-Fi. To connect, select “_Free_ORD_Wi-Fi”, or “Boingo Hotspot”, launch your browser, and agree to the “Watch Ad to Connect” option.
• Charging Stations: The charging stations in T1 are located near Gates B5, B11-12, B14, B19, C5, C15, C21, and C28. The ones in T2 are located near Gates F5, F2, and E8.
• Lost & Found: For items lost on the aircraft, at the gate, or in the ticketing area, contact the airline directly. For items lost in these areas, contact the appropriate department:
  • Security Screening Areas: call 773-377-1210 or TSA Lost & Found
  • Parking Lot: call 773-686-7532
  • Airport Transit System: call 773-462-0400
  • In the Terminals: call the Chicago Police Department at 773-686-2385
  • Food Services: call 773-377-7804
  • T5 Customs: call 773-686-3157

Additional Information about United Airlines Terminal at ORD

• Travelers Aid Service Desks are located at every terminal. Information desks in:
  • T1 is located near Gates B8, C18, and near baggage claim. 
  • T2 is located near Gate F4 and baggage claim.
• A children’s play area is located after security in T2.
• Nursing Rooms in T1 are located near Gates C23, C11, B10, and B7; and in T2 are located in the crossover between F1, F9, E1, and E5. The unisex family rooms in T1 are located near baggage claim and C20, C16, B10, and B4; and in T2 are located opposite baggage claim, E5, and the Family Room. The multi-modal facility has unisex family rooms on every level.
• The pet relief areas in Terminals 1 and 2 are located on the lower level outside the secure areas (T1: Outside 1A) and T2: Outside 2E). 
• Duty-free shops are available in all terminals. 
• Smoking Areas are located outside each terminal. 
• A multi-faith prayer room is located on the mezzanine level of T2.
• ATMs are located near Gates C18 and B10 in T1 and Gate F1 in T2. 
• A medical center (O’Hare Urgent Care Clinic) is located in T2 after the security checkpoint.
• Luggage storage services are not available at ORD.
• Important Phone Numbers
  • Customer Care: 800-832-6352
  • Parking: 773-686-7530

Transportation Options at ORD

Transport services are located outside each terminal and include trains, buses, shuttles, taxis, limousines, and rideshare services. They are easy to view with floor and overhead signs.

Trains

• The Metra Train commuter service connects the downtown area with the suburbs. 
• The underground train service (CTA Blue Line) runs 24/7, taking 40-45 minutes to the downtown area. The station is located in T2 on the lower level of the parking garage. 
• The Amtrak service operates from La Grange Road Station and can be reached by taking Pace bus 330 from the Multi-Modal Facility (Bus Bay 9).

Buses

The Bus/Shuttle Center is located on level 1 of the main parking garage.

• Pace routes travel to the downtown area and beyond. Route 250 runs to downtown Chicago from Bus Bay 9 at Multi-Modal Facility.
• Many regional bus services are available at ORD. 
• Shared or private shuttles are available for pre-booking. Operators include Go Airport Express, offering pick-ups and drops on the lower level outside of baggage claim. However, other services operate operate out of the Bus/Shuttle Center.

Taxis

Taxis can be found on the lower level outside the baggage area of every terminal. The fare to Chicago’s downtown area typically costs between $30 and $4n.

Limousines

Limousine services (on-demand and pre-booked) are available outside every terminal. Pick-ups take place on the lower-level center road lane outside the baggage claim area.

Ride Services

Rideshare services are allowed pick-ups and drops at T2 between doors 2A and D. 

In T5, they’re allowed outside door 5B. For Uber Black services, pick-ups are on the lower level.

Parking Facilities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

ORD offers several airport parking options that are located outside the terminals as well as further away near the Multi-Modal Facility.

Hourly Short-term Parking

Short-term hourly parking is available in Garage Lot A (the main covered parking garage with a 6ft 6in clearance) on level 1. Lot A is located near Terminals 1, 2, and 3, whereas Lot D (no height restrictions) is located near T5. The parking rates at both lots are shown in the table below:

Daily parking is offered in Garage A (Level 2 to Level 6), Garage B, and Garage C (uncovered). Garage Lots B and C are near the terminals and are cheaper than the hourly parking lots (above) after 4 hours.

Note. The clearance at Parking Lot B is 9 ft and Parking Lot C is 8 ft 5 in.

Long-term Parking

The most economical parking options, especially for a longer duration, are Economy Lots E, F, and G. The clearance at Economy Lot F is 8 ft 2 in. You can take the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Economy Lot F free of charge. 

The parking fees for Economy Lot F are shown in the table below:

You can reach Economy Lots G and H by taking the remote parking shuttle from the upper level of your terminal. The parking fees for Economy Lots G and H are as follows:

Valet Parking

You can avail of valet parking in Garage Lot A. To reach the parking lot, follow the “Valet Parking” signage. The parking fees for 0-8 hours are $26 and $64 for full-day parking (24 hours).

Reserved Parking

Garage Lot A offers reserved parking, with advance booking. It is located on level 4 and costs $10/day, per car plus the standard parking fee.

Pick-up or Drop-off Parking

Curbside pick-ups and drop-offs are available at all terminals, but waiting is not permitted. If you’re picking up someone at ORD, use the Cell Phone Lot. It allows free temporary parking until you receive a call from the passenger for curbside pick-up.

Kiss ‘n’ Fly Parking

If you wish to avoid traffic congestion, use ORD’s Kiss ‘n’ Fly parking lot for picking up and dropping off passengers. The Kiss ‘n’ Fly Parking is located on the northeast side of the Multi-Modal Facility and is connected to the airport via the free ATS.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Hotel and off-site parking lots are the most economical options for parking. All establishments offer courtesy bus shuttles to and from the terminals. Daily parking rates start at $14 and can be booked online at airportparkingreservations.com.

Parking for Passengers with Disabilities

ORD offers more than 200 parking spaces for passengers with disabilities. Located across all parking lots, they are closest to elevators and other travel facilities. Also, all the shuttle buses operating to/from the parking lots are wheelchair-friendly.

Parking Contact Numbers

For general parking inquiries, call 773-686-7530.

United Airlines Destinations from ORD

United Airlines currently flies directly from Chicago ORD to more than 190 domestic and international destinations. They include New York (LGA, EWR), Boston (BOS), Minneapolis (MSP), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), Dallas (DFW), Washington (DCA), Toronto (YYZ), Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH), Philadelphia (PHL), Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO), Mexico City (MEX), London (LHR), Tampa (TPA), Cancun (CUN), and San Juan (SJU).

Security and Customs at United Airlines ORD Terminal 

Each terminal at ORD has a different number of security checkpoints. T1 has 3 security checkpoints, T2 has 1, T3 has 5, and T5 has 1 main security checkpoint.

Security Checkpoint Operating Hours

TSA PreCheck

ORD offers TSA PreCheck lanes in all terminals. Here are the specific checkpoints and their operating hours:

There is also a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center in Terminal 1 near door 1G in the baggage claim area, open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. After approval, a Known Traveler Number will be sent to you, permitting you to stand in a TSA PreCheck lane at all U.S. airports.

Global Entry

Global Entry kiosks expedite the clearance of international passengers at ORD. After applying, schedule an interview at an enrollment center. ORD’s enrollment center is in Terminal 5, open from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Mobile Passport

ORD supports Mobile Passport Control for quicker U.S. arrival processing. Submit your passport details and customs declaration via the app, then present your receipt and passport to a CBP agent upon arrival.

CLEAR

ORD participates in CLEAR, which uses eye and fingerprint scanning for expedited security clearance, bypassing the need for an ID at checkpoints. CLEAR lanes are available during the following hours:

Inter-Terminal Transport at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

ORD’s Airport Transit System (ATS) connects you to Terminals 1 – 3 and Terminal 5. You can also take the train to the Multi-Modal Facility for economy parking F, Kiss ‘n’ Fly, Metra, Pace buses, and the airport’s car rental center.

Post-Security Airside Transport

Chicago O’Hare Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) 

Currently on hold, the TTB at ORD shuttles domestic passengers between Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5, allowing connections without re-clearing security at Terminal 5. The service is available only for passengers who do not need to pick up their luggage between flights and is not accessible to international passengers arriving at Terminal 5 who have connections in Terminals 1, 2, or 3.

Operating daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the buses depart from these Terminal 3 gates:

• G17
• K20
• L24

Walking Between Terminals

Passengers can use airside walkways to travel between Terminals 1, 2, and 3, which is convenient for domestic flight connections.

• From Terminal 1 to Terminal 2: The walkway is on the departure level, across from gates B5 and B6, leading to gate E1 in Terminal 2.
• From Terminal 2 to Terminal 3: The walkway begins near gate F1 and ends at the rotunda in Terminal 3.

The walking time depends on the specific concourse and gate. The longest walk, from Terminal 1, Concourse C to Terminal 3, Concourse L, is slightly over a mile and takes about 20 minutes at an average pace.

Pre-Security Landside Transport

The Airport Transit System (ATS) at Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a light rail service connecting all terminals, located outside the secure area, so passengers must clear security again at their connecting terminal. Each terminal has a clearly marked landside ATS station. Trains run frequently in both directions, allowing passengers to choose the quickest route to their next terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions About United Airlines ORD Terminal 

Navigating through a major airport like Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) can be overwhelming, especially when you’re flying with a major airline like United Airlines. To make your journey smoother, we’ve compiled a list of FAQs below about the United Airlines ORD Terminal.