10 Common Traveler Complaints About Chicago's O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the most important air travel hubs on the face of the Earth. In April 2026, the City of Chicago announced that O'Hare was officially the world's busiest airport, based on its daily total of arrivals and departures. When you break it down, a flight lands at or leaves from O'Hare about every 37 seconds! While this volume of air traffic makes the bustling airport America's most connected gateway, linking the Chicagoland area to the globe, it can also make travelers feel a bit overwhelmed, especially if they've never visited ORD before.

O'Hare was declared the most stressful major airport hub in 2026. Covering an extensive 7,627 acres, O'Hare is home to four terminals, dozens of gates, and a layout that can require a long walk to get from Point A to Point B. Serving destinations worldwide, this airport can certainly get you almost anywhere you want to go, but it's worth doing some preparation in order to have the best experience. Here, we'll look at 10 common traveler complaints about O'Hare International, as well as provide helpful tips for dealing with each potential problem.

To compile this guide, we used the official Fly Chicago website and multiple news websites, including CBS News, NBC Chicago, and WGN TV. We also turned to firsthand accounts written by travelers who have experienced O'Hare on Reddit and Facebook. Additionally, Simple Flying provided data. I regularly take international flights out of ORD, so my personal experiences also played a role.

Because O'Hare is a popular connection hub, flight interruptions can snowball and impact multiple flights. Airline delays and cancellations can occur for a variety of reasons. Mechanical issues, limited availability of open gates, and weather can all lead to frustrating interruptions for travelers. Chicago's notoriously unpredictable weather makes O'Hare particularly susceptible to weather-related flight issues. During a winter storm in March 2026, CBS reported that over 500 flights had been scrapped between ORD and Chicago Midway (MDW).

While you might think lake-effect winter weather is the most serious flight-cancellation culprit in Chicago, warmer seasons can bring their own issues. In September 2026, for instance, nearly 350 flights were grounded at O'Hare alone because of heavy rainfall. This unpredictability can frustrate travelers. On Reddit, also in September 2026 but on a different occasion, someone posted a photo of a dozen delayed American Airlines flights at ORD, writing that they got "rebooked for tomorrow. Chicago wasn't my final destination. Not a happy camper."

It's important to remember that you can't control the skies, but you can control how you handle flight delays or cancellations. When possible, try to book early morning flights since a single problem can impact multiple flights as the day goes on. It's also wise to fly at off-peak times, like mid-week during the school year if your schedule allows. And you should always keep a weather eye on FlightAware whenever you have a flight scheduled for the most up-to-date information about your plane.

Typically, travelers think their journeys are over when they land on the tarmac at their arrival airport. At O'Hare, however, this is not always the case. In a July 2026 investigation, local news network WGN looked into why ORD has the longest taxi times of any airport in the country. After landing, the average taxiing time here is an astounding 28 minutes. Bear in mind that that's before deplaning or collecting luggage, not to mention that it can cause a major problem for people with tight connections.

On one of our own trips landing at O'Hare from London Heathrow, we spent about an hour taxiing after landing. Online, the problem is pervasive. One Redditor begged, "ORD please figure it out," before going on to share that they sat on the tarmac for nearly an hour before pulling into the plane graveyard where aircraft wait until a gate becomes available. Another Reddit user posted in real time as their plane taxied, sharing they "Landed an hour and a half ago and been sitting here ever since." Commenters lamented that the traveler's plight was "unfortunately not entirely uncommon."

You can't do much about O'Hare's lengthy taxi times, but you can control your travel schedule, at least to a certain degree. If, for example, you need to make a connection in Chicago, try to book something with a relatively long layover in case you get delayed on the tarmac. If you happen to luck out and deboard quickly, there are even plenty of ways you can use your long layover time effectively!

A connection that seems reasonable when you book your flight might not actually feel as comfortable once you're physically navigating O'Hare International. Between the well-known taxiing headaches, potential gate shortages resulting in last-minute changes, and the airport's sheer size, you may find yourself struggling to make even the seemingly simplest connections. On Facebook, one frazzled traveler quipped she was sporting the "'running from concourse A to E' frizzy hair look ... I hate connecting flights in Chicago."

O'Hare's huge footprint includes nine lettered concourses across its four terminals. While Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected beyond the TSA checkpoint, that does not mean they are particularly close together. For example, if you have to travel from a Terminal 1 gate to one of the furthest gates in Terminal 3, don't be surprised if you have to rush to make your connection on time. Passengers on Reddit specifically bemoaned United's gate locations at ORD, with one person writing, "I'm sure I'll be walking across many terminals" to catch a connection during an upcoming trip.

The best thing you can do to prepare to catch a connecting flight at Chicago O'Hare is to keep tabs on your airline's app, as well as FlightAware for any changes to either plane's path. Once you know your arrival gate and your connecting departure gate, you can better plan your route to takeoff. In some cases, the facility's Terminal Transfer Bus or Airport Transit System may be useful. There is also complimentary wheelchair assistance available for those worried about walking a long distance.

As we previously noted, Terminals 1, 2, and 3 at O'Hare are interconnected, allowing travelers to move between them without ever exiting and going back through security. This makes domestic arrivals, and even domestic connections, relatively simple to deal with, despite the fact that you may have a long walk to your connecting gate! Terminal 5 — where international arrivals land and some international connections take place — however, was built independently from the others and is not connected via any type of pedestrian walkway. This can be quite confusing for travelers.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily, passengers who need to get from the main terminals to a Terminal 5 connection can use the Terminal Transfer Bus in order to avoid going back through a security checkpoint. To board the bus, a Terminal 5 boarding pass must be presented. Outside of bus operating hours, passengers should allot extra time to go back through TSA, as they will need to leave the secure area of the airport and travel to Terminal 5 via the Airport Transit System.

International travelers connecting in Terminals 1, 2, or 3 must also clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection, collect and recheck their baggage, then go back through security in the domestic terminals. This can also require additional time. In a discussion on Rick Steves's travel forums, someone wondered if a two-hour layover was sufficient to travel from the main terminals to Terminal 5. One regular ORD flyer commented, "I think you'd make it, but I would be stressed the entire time."

If you asked three people how long it takes to get through TSA security at ORD, you would probably get three completely different answers. Security wait times at this major hub can fluctuate wildly based on factors like time of day, day of the week, and current TSA staffing. One Redditor who flies out of O'Hare regularly shared that it sometimes seems there is no rhyme or reason to security here: "Insane line for a flight that left at 7 AM on a weekday, but got through within 10 minutes for another."

According to Chase's comprehensive guide to O'Hare security, typical TSA wait times are around 15 minutes. However, passengers can find themselves waiting for nearly an hour when things are busy, or the security area is understaffed. Another Redditor faced "complete chaos and long lines" for a Sunday morning flight that departed around 6:30 am. While you can't stop security bottlenecks from occurring, you can make sure you're as prepared as possible for all possible scenarios.

Arriving at the airport early is smart. Someone on Facebook advised that you should "get there at least 2hr and a Half before your flight" when departing from ORD. This aligns with TSA guidance. Joining the TSA line two hours before a domestic flight, and even earlier if you're going abroad, can help reduce stress. Even if you get through the TSA checkpoint quickly, there are lots of things you can do if you get stranded at the airport for a few hours! Tools like Takeoff Timer offer up-to-the-minute TSA wait times, which can be invaluable for travelers.

To call O'Hare labyrinthine is an apt description. Terminal 1 is home to Concourses B and C; Terminal 2 has E and F; Terminal 3 spiderwebs out into G, H, K, and L; and Terminal 5 houses the M gates. Each terminal also has its own idiosyncrasies. For example, Terminal 1's C gates must be accessed by an underground walking tunnel. Furthermore, baggage claim, ground transportation, and airline ticket counters are on different levels, which means travelers sometimes have to take elevators or escalators back and forth to get where they need to go.

Then, there's the fact that first-time visitors are often befuddled by the seemingly random absence of a Terminal 4. One Tripadvisor user described their experience navigating O'Hare as "the airport Hunger Games," sharing that they arrived with three hours to spare and, through a series of misadventures while trying to navigate the airport, got to their gate with under 10 minutes before the plane closed. Another person on Tripadvisor referred to ORD's layout as "constant exercise in chaos and poor organization."

If you have an upcoming flight at O'Hare International, there are things you can do to make navigation easier on the day of your trip. First, because this airport is known for frequent gate changes, check a physical departure screen to make sure it matches the information in your airline app. This will prevent you from walking the wrong way. Also, if O'Hare is your final stop, figure out whether you'll need to go to baggage claim, an Uber or Lyft pickup, or the Airport Transit System, and check the map ahead of time to plan the best route.

Getting picked up from ORD can be a journey in and of itself. The airport divides personal vehicles picking up passengers, traditional taxis, black cars, and rideshare services into different lanes and levels, which can be stressful and confusing for travelers. Uber and Lyft pickups currently happen on the upper levels of both Terminals 2 and 3. Terminal 2 uses zones 2A through 2G, while Terminal 3 pickup occurs at 3G, 3H, 3J, and 3K. This means passengers arriving at Terminal 1 may need to traverse the airport if they're using a rideshare app. Black car pickups, however, are still done on the lower levels of all three domestic terminals.

International arrivals at Terminal 5 have different rules and must go to Terminal 2  for rideshare pickups. Communication is key if you're waiting on car service at O'Hare. Because each pickup area is divided into zones, just texting "I'm outside" may not be sufficient. If you're having trouble finding them, it's smart to call your driver to make sure you're in the same pickup section. One O'Hare traveler on Reddit advised that "Pickups are not on baggage claim level" and encouraged others to try both Uber and Lyft if they were struggling to get a driver at their preferred terminal after they collected their bags.

Having a friend or family member pick you up may seem simpler at ORD, but it can also be hectic. Personal pickups happen by the curb on the lower level, but there is active legislation called the O'Hare Driver Safety Act that prohibits drivers from lingering curbside. Authorities may ask the driver to circle the airport until the passenger is present. Redditors suggest having your loved one wait in the cell phone lot until they hear from you to avoid undue frustration.

If you're thinking that it might be easier to just park at O'Hare than navigate pickup, you might not be correct. This is, after all, one of the worst airports in the U.S. for parking. Leaving your vehicle at O'Hare can make your trip significantly more expensive, especially if you're gone for a week or more and value convenience. The airport's main garage and parking directly at Terminal 5 have a $43 daily rate, but you have to decide how much of a priority it is for you to be this close to your gate. $43 a day is $301 over the course of a one-week trip, which is significant for many people.

O'Hare's economy lots are less expensive, but they involve trade-offs. Lot F, for example, costs $30 per day, while Lots G and H are priced the lowest at $16 per day. However, people who choose to park here have to drag all of their luggage on the Airport Transit System or a shuttle bus before even arriving at the terminal. This may be fine for able-bodied solo travelers or couples, but can be a viable option for large groups, people with mobility challenges, and parents with small children. And, all things considered, Lot F, in particular, is still rather pricey. One Reddit user complained that it was $400 for a nine-day vacation and a limousine was actually more cost-effective.

My preferred alternative when we fly internationally out of ORD is to reserve parking at an airport hotel with a free shuttle. In October 2025, we parked for 10 nights for around $115 at the ORD Hyatt Place, although rates can vary based on dates, promo codes, and other variables. The Chicago airport Hilton is particularly convenient for travelers because it is located on O'Hare property, and people can walk to the terminal via connected hallways.

O'Hare actually has an excellent airport dining scene, featuring outposts of numerous Chitown standbys like Reggio's Chicago Pizza, Billy Goat Tavern, Garrett Popcorn Shops, and Publican Tavern. Unfortunately, even with access to some of the city's best restaurants at O'Hare airport, travelers can't count on finding a full meal 24/7. Many restaurants at ORD close surprisingly early and don't reopen until breakfast or later, leaving passengers on red-eye flights and early-morning itineraries out of luck.

One person on Reddit shared that they landed at ORD at 8 p.m. with plans to eat before a 9:30 p.m. connection, only to find that "Nothing's open and I'm gonna land in EWR at 12:30 a.m. ... Guess no dinner tonight." Another person on the same thread agreed, "ORD is awful for food & shopping options. Most everything closes at 7 or 8." Terminal 5 passengers have similar feelings, with someone on the FlyerTalk forums saying restaurants shut down "ridiculously early" in the international arrivals area.

If you know you'll need to eat at O'Hare outside standard business hours, be prepared for limited dining options. That said, places like Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and McDonald's tend to have longer hours than local spots, so you can always try to grab a quick bite (or at least a coffee if you're scheduled for an early take-off!)

Like Denver International (DIA) and Los Angeles International (LAX), O'Hare has been under construction of some type or another for years, and it doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. The main current project is ORD Next, which isn't slated to be finished until 2034. As part of this massive construction job, O'Hare plans to unveil its upgraded Concourse D in 2028, and a brand new Global Terminal in 2033.

While ORD Next will hopefully improve the airport experience for travelers from around the world who come to (or through) Chicago, the ongoing construction can frustrate current travelers. One United traveler got caught in the construction crossfire when their gate got moved to Concourse G, which, they discovered, is basically in the hinterlands due to all sorts of construction work. They wrote on Reddit that they had to "walk all the way from an end of concourse C to fracking concourse G. I'm surprised there was no passport check on the way."

The airfield construction also plays a role in the taxiing delays we mentioned earlier. Another annoyed Reddit user said the construction has made it impossible for ORD to "handle the traffic they are promising, and they sign up for it anyway." The situation has gotten so serious that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially limited traffic at Chicago O'Hare, effective from October 25, 2026 through October 30, 2027. At the time of publication, it is not known if this order will be extended.