O'Hare International Airport, Chicago

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Even though it recently lost its title as "the world's busiest airport", the Chicago O'Hare International Airport is still one of the biggest airports in the world. It was named in honor of Edward "Butch" O'Hare, who became the US Navy's first flying ace during World War II, and an F4F-3 Wildcat fighter plane he might have flown is on display at the airport. Even though it is quite easy to find your way once you reach the airport, getting there can sometimes be a bit of a challenge because of all the traffic, and you also need to allow yourself enough time to check-in as there can be a really long line-up to get to the counter and then to get through security. Since I was flying with Air Canada, I arrived and departed from Terminal 2. There were several restaurants and stores, so even if I got there pretty early, walking around the terminal and watching all the planes take off and land made the time go by really fast!

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Certainly one of the most important airport buildings in the United State is Terminal 1 at O'Hare, the United Terminal. Designed by prominent Chicago-based architectural firm of Murphy & Jahn, the structure was completed in 1988. With its high glass ceilings and exposed steel, the Terminal pays architectural homage to the famous Crystal Pavillion of the London Exposition of 1851. It feels like a gigantic tinker-toy project! Spacious and well-lit, the terminal makes the ground portion of your airtravels just a little bit fun - which is welcome these days. Be sure to check out the replica of "Sue" the t-rex in the B concourse.

There are 5 terminals in O'Hare airport and there's airport shuttle that goes between those terminals.
Subway to downtown goes from terminal 2.
VanGalder coach tickets are sold at terminal 5.
If you have to sleep in O'Hare, be prepared to have very cold airconditioner, chairs with hand rests and 3-1-1 announcements every 5 minutes.
There's foodstalls that open 24 hours in terminal 5.

Even though I guess I "live" in Chicago (am employed there), I've used a rental car every time I have visited for the last 7 years...

All rental carriers have courtesy shuttles from the arrivals level, both domestic and international terminals. It is not required that you have a prior reservation, but it is recommended. If they do not have a car available, you may simply go to the next company.

The exception is Ace Rental. They are possibly the cheapest from Chicago O'Hare. The rest of the companies are located still within the O'Hare limits, but Ace is located about 1.5 miles away and therefore does not have to pay higher rates, taxes, and airport fees. If you rent from Ace, you will have to leave the arrivals hall and follow the signs for the Hilton Hotel. The courtesy shuttle leaves from the front of the airport hotel due to its physical presence is off site.

http://www.acerentacar.com/landing/lp_ordo01.aspx

You'd figure if you were flying internationally from O'Hare airport, you would head to Terminal 5 - the INTERNATIONAL terminal. Right? WRONG! United flies out of the domestic terminals. Just to confuse everybody and add more stress to your pre-departure than normal.

As a person who flys at least once a month, I thought I would make an attempt at providing a discussion on my take on O'Hare airport.

If you are flying United, most likely you will be flying out of Terminal 1. The terminal is divided into the B concourse (close to ticketing) and C concourse. To get to the C concourse you have to go underground thru a pyschedelic tunnel. It is quite a distance to get to C gates (despite the people movers) so leave yourself extra time. If you are flying long distance (California, Shanghai) or short distances (Detroit, Columbus) you will most likely fly out of the C Concourse. United also flies out of Terminal 2 (E gates) for its United Express flights. Regardless, you need to check in for all United flights in Terminal 1. It often takes 20-40 mins. to get your luggage from a United Express flights so better to check your luggage at the gate (yes, you can do this). If you are connecting, there is a free shuttle that runs during the day from gate C9 to terminal 2 (E3).

United has self-check in computers both in the ticketing area and in the causeway from long-term parking (carry on only). To check-in, use a credit card, follow the prompts and check bags if needed. You can even change your seats. On United, if you are checking luggage, you MUST check in at Terminal 1 regardless of what terminal you are flying out of.

The security line for Terminal one is in the center of the ticketing area. The priority line for Premier and above has been moved to the far side near the entrance to Terminal 2. However, they rarely have it staffed correctly so you end up waiting for the first class passengers with too much carry on to pass through.

If you are flying into Terminal 2 at O'Hare (check your itinerary), it is best not to check your luggage (they can gate check it) as it takes around 40 minutes for them to move the luggage over to the Terminal 1 baggage claim where all United luggage is picked up.

O'Hare is an airport many of us will connect through on business and pleasure. I have personally spent many hours of my life at this airport, and while many are fearful of its size and layout, I've never had an issue with it. The rental car lots are very accesibile, taxi transportation in and out is fairly well managed, and the restaurants and shops are plentiful. The security here is well organized and everything seems to flow well. I think the major hit this airport takes comes from the weather in Chicago- its usually so unpredictably bad that it leaves many a flight delayed or cancelled, and people find reasons not to like a place that they don't want to be. My favorite places to eat by far are the Chilis and the Fox Sports Sky Box.

O'hare is huge.. making your flight connection there is a real pain. Always allow PLENTY OF TIME when you need to connect your flight via O'hare, especially if your connection is between terminal C and any other terminal. C is completely seperate away from the main building, which means taking a shuttle or walking through the tunnel. Shuttle? I will say, forget about it. It just takes forever to wait! Take off your high heels and run if you are running out of time!