How long does it take to get through security at Chicago O Hare?

Always allow at least 20 minutes for security, but you can do a same-day check of screening line times at: http://www.whatsbusy.com/airport. Only the Terminal 5 TSA checkpoint is open 24 hours. Terminal 1, 2, and 3 checkpoints are open from approximately 4 am -11 pm.



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If your connecting flight is in Terminals 1, 2 or 3, you can take the free, 24-hour Airport Transit System (ATS). All connecting passengers must go through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening.

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For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.

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If your connecting flight leaves from a notoriously busy airport, it may be necessary to arrange a layover that's at least three hours long. The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour.

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Generally, the first three terminals are considered domestic terminals and are easily traversed. All three of these terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways, making them so much easier to cross than having to wait for transportation to take you to them.

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Popular Travel Times:
  • Busiest days to travel: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Fly early, but not too early.
  • The busiest times are 6-8 am, and 3-5 pm.
  • The worst time for delayed flights: 7-9 pm, due to ripples from the 3-5 pm rush.


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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

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Try to schedule domestic connecting flights with at least 1.5 hours cushion time. For international flights, leave at least 2.5 hours. Planes almost never arrive as scheduled. Instead, your first flight may land later, while your connecting flight catches up in the air and arrives almost 1 hour earlier.

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If you're connecting on the same airline, in the same terminal, then yes, it should be enough time. Check first the airline's and flight's on-time record. If you need to change airlines, and terminals, it could be tight.

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Terminal 5 (international) Terminal 5 contains Concourse M (21 gates) and operates almost all O'Hare's international departures and arrivals (except flights from Air Canada, American and United from airports with U.S. border preclearance).

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The terminals take between 10-20 minutes to walk between depending on your gate. If you're connecting internationally, you can take the shuttle to Terminal 5, which takes 10 minutes between the two farthest points. (Note that select international flights, such as to Canada, can depart from Terminal 3).

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