O'Hare is one airport with four terminals — 1, 2, 3 and 5 (there is no Terminal 4) — and nine concourses lettered B through M. Most travelers only need three answers: which terminal their airline uses, how to get to another terminal if they are connecting, and where their ride is actually waiting once they walk out of baggage claim. That last one trips people up more than anything, because at O'Hare a taxi, an Uber and a pre-booked car each pick up in a different place.
This guide covers all three, using the airport's own published rules. We drive O'Hare pickups every day, so the pickup section is written from the curb, not from a brochure.
O'Hare terminals and concourses at a glance
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 sit in a horseshoe around the central parking garage and the airport hotel, and they are connected airside — you can walk between them without going through security again. Terminal 5 stands on its own to the east and is where most international flights arrive and clear customs.
| Terminal | Concourses | Main airlines (check your boarding pass) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | B, C | United, plus Star Alliance partners such as Lufthansa and ANA | United's hub. Concourses B and C are linked by the lit underground walkway. |
| Terminal 2 | E, F | Air Canada and some United / United Express flights | The oldest terminal; it will eventually be replaced by the new O'Hare Global Terminal. |
| Terminal 3 | G, H, K, L | American Airlines, American Eagle, Alaska Airlines | The largest terminal by gates. |
| Terminal 5 | M | Most international airlines, plus Delta and Southwest | Where most international arrivals clear U.S. customs. Separate from 1–3 on the landside. |
Airlines do move between terminals at O'Hare, especially while the airport's long rebuild is under way. Your boarding pass or airline app is the final word — this table was checked against the airport's published information in October 2026.
How to get between terminals
There are two ways, and which one you use depends on whether you have already cleared security.
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected airside. If you landed on a domestic flight and your connection is in another of these three terminals, you can walk there without leaving the secure area.
The ATS train links all four terminals landside. The Airport Transit System is free, runs 24 hours a day, and comes every few minutes at peak times. It stops at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 and continues to the Multi-Modal Facility, where the rental cars, Economy Parking, the Kiss 'n' Fly lot, Pace buses and the Metra connection are. Because it runs outside security, connecting to or from Terminal 5 by train means clearing security again — leave time for that.
Connecting passengers also have a Terminal Transfer Bus inside security between Terminals 1, 3 and 5. You need a same-day onward flight to use it.
If you are arriving internationally, remember that you must clear customs and collect every checked bag first — even if you are connecting — so an international arrival takes noticeably longer to reach the curb than a domestic one.
Where you get picked up at O'Hare
This is the part that matters most when you land. O'Hare separates traffic by type, and each type has its own spot:
| How you're leaving | Where to go | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked limo or black car | Center commercial lane (lane 2) outside baggage claim at Terminals 1, 2 and 3; the inner commercial lane at Terminal 5 | Lower (arrivals) |
| Taxi | Taxi stands at the curb outside baggage claim | Lower (arrivals) |
| Uber / Lyft | Terminal 2: poles 2A–2G (orange signs). Terminal 3: poles 3G–3K (green signs). Terminals 1 and 5: follow your app — it sends you to the current zone. | Upper (departures) at T2 and T3 |
| Friend or family picking you up | Outermost curb outside baggage claim — no waiting at the curb | Lower (arrivals) |
| Kiss 'n' Fly | Take the ATS to the Multi-Modal Facility (15-minute limit in the lot) | — |
Two airport rules shape all of this. Curbside waiting is not allowed — an unattended car is ticketed and towed — so anyone collecting you should wait in the free cell phone lot (560 North Bessie Coleman Drive) until you have your bags and call. And rideshare pickups at Terminals 2 and 3 are on the upper level, the departures road, which surprises a lot of arriving passengers who head straight downstairs.
How a chauffeur pickup works at O'Hare
A pre-booked car is the one ride at O'Hare that does not depend on you finding the right pole. You have two options when you book an O'Hare airport transfer:
Meet & Greet inside the terminal. Your chauffeur waits at baggage claim with a name sign, helps with your luggage, and walks you to the car in the commercial lane. This is the easiest option for first-time visitors, families, international arrivals and anyone with a lot of bags.
Curbside pickup. Once you have your bags, you call or text and walk out to the lower-level commercial lane, and the car pulls up. It is quicker if you travel light and know the airport.
Either way, we track your flight by its number, so an early or late landing moves your pickup automatically. Every O'Hare pickup includes a complimentary grace period — 45 minutes for domestic flights and 80 minutes for international, counted from when your flight is gated — which covers deplaning, customs and baggage. If you are deciding between a car and a cab, our comparison of airport limo service vs. taxi goes through the trade-offs.
Tips that save time at O'Hare
- Give your flight number, not just your landing time, when you book any pickup. It is what lets a driver follow delays.
- International arrival? Expect 45–90 minutes from landing to the curb at Terminal 5 on a busy afternoon. That is what the longer international grace period is for.
- Departing from Terminal 5 with a domestic connection elsewhere? Build in time for the ATS ride and a second security line.
- Big group or lots of luggage? A larger vehicle loads faster in the commercial lane than several cars do — see our airport transfers for what fits.
- Flying out of Midway instead? It is a single terminal with a much simpler layout; our Midway airport transfer page covers pickups there.
Getting your O'Hare ride sorted
The airport's layout is fixed; the variable is where your ride is when you walk out. If you would rather not navigate poles, levels and phone calls after a long flight, book online with your flight number and choose Meet & Greet — your chauffeur will be at baggage claim when you get there.
Frequently asked questions
How many terminals does O'Hare have?
O'Hare has four passenger terminals: 1, 2, 3 and 5. There is no Terminal 4. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected airside, while Terminal 5, the international terminal, is reached by the free ATS train.
Which terminal is United at O'Hare?
United flies mainly from Terminal 1, concourses B and C, with some United and United Express flights from Terminal 2. Always confirm on your boarding pass, because gate assignments can change.
Which terminal is American Airlines at O'Hare?
American Airlines and American Eagle use Terminal 3, concourses G, H, K and L. Terminal 3 is the largest terminal at O'Hare by number of gates.
Can you walk between terminals at O'Hare?
Yes, between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 you can walk airside without clearing security again. To reach Terminal 5 you take the free 24-hour ATS train, which runs outside security, so you will need to go through security again.
Where do limos and car services pick up at O'Hare?
Pre-booked limousines and black cars pick up on the lower arrivals level, in the center commercial lane at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the inner commercial lane at Terminal 5. With a Meet and Greet service, the chauffeur waits for you at baggage claim with a name sign instead.
Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup at O'Hare?
At Terminals 2 and 3, rideshare pickups are on the upper departures level at numbered poles: 2A to 2G at Terminal 2 and 3G to 3K at Terminal 3. At Terminals 1 and 5, follow the directions in your app to the current pickup zone.