O’Hare Terminal 5 is no longer just the place for international flights. It handles most international arrivals, many international departures, and some domestic service. All of its gates use the letter M, and the concourse is long enough that gate location should shape where you eat or wait.
Terminal 5 layout
Departures and ticketing are on the upper level. Arrivals, baggage claim, and the public exit from customs are on the lower level. After security, Concourse M stretches in both directions, with gates into the 30s and 40 at the far end.
Check the gate before choosing a restaurant or lounge. A meal near M5 is convenient for the west end and a poor last-minute choice for a departure near M40.
Security checkpoints
When reviewed on July 16, 2026, O’Hare listed Checkpoint 10 for 24-hour standard screening and Checkpoint 11 for limited afternoon and evening hours. Lane schedules can change with staffing and flight volume. An open checkpoint also does not mean your airline’s ticket counter or bag drop is open.
For an international flight, leave room for airline document checks and earlier boarding. Follow the carrier’s check-in and bag-drop deadlines rather than treating a short security estimate as permission to arrive late.
Which airlines use Terminal 5?
Many international carriers use Terminal 5, but airline names are not a dependable terminal map. Some international flights depart from Terminals 1 or 3, and some domestic flights use Terminal 5. Arrivals and departures for the same airline may even use different terminals.
Use the operating airline on your itinerary, then confirm the terminal and gate in its app. If a friend is picking you up, send the terminal again after landing.
Connecting through Terminal 5
From a domestic flight
A secure-side Terminal Transfer Bus links Terminal 5 with pickup points in Terminals 1 and 3 when it is operating. O’Hare currently lists buses every 15 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. A boarding pass is required, and not every traveler or itinerary will be eligible.
Otherwise, leave security and take the free Airport Transit System to Terminal 5. You will need to clear TSA again. The ATS runs 24 hours a day.
After an international arrival
Unless your flight was precleared before departure, follow signs to U.S. immigration. Collect checked luggage, clear customs, and recheck bags for a connecting flight. Then go to the departures level for Terminal 5 screening or take the ATS to Terminals 1, 2, or 3 and clear security there.
Finish those steps before counting on a meal or lounge stop. Immigration, bags, customs, the terminal transfer, and TSA can use up a short connection.
Where to eat in Terminal 5
Restaurants are spread along the expanded concourse. Use these as landmarks, and check O’Hare’s dining directory for current hours.
| Area | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Near M5 | Publican Quality Bread, The Hampton Social | Breakfast, sandwiches, or a sit-down meal near the west end |
| M11–M18 | Big Bowl, Protein Bar & Kitchen, R.J. Grunts, Tortas Frontera | The widest cluster of quick and full-service choices |
| Near M26 | Butcher & The Burger | A substantial meal farther east |
| Near M34 | Bar Siena | A sit-down option near the far end |
If boarding is close, buy near the gate. Lines and food-preparation times matter more than the restaurant’s reputation. Our O’Hare food guide has more choices across the airport.
Lounges
Terminal 5 has the Delta Sky Club near M13 and several international or contract lounges farther along Concourse M. Entry depends on the exact ticket, status, membership, or card benefit, and partner access can be limited by time or capacity.
Choose a lounge that makes sense for the gate. Terminal 5’s length and early international boarding can turn a distant lounge into a rushed visit. See the current locations and access paths in our O’Hare lounge guide.
Getting to and from Terminal 5
- Terminal pickup: arriving passengers use the lower-level outer curb. Drivers cannot wait at the curb.
- Terminal drop-off: use the upper departures roadway and the door closest to the airline counter when known.
- Other terminals: take the free ATS outside security.
- CTA Blue Line: take the ATS to Terminal 2, then follow “Trains to City” signs.
- Rental cars: take the ATS to the Multi-Modal Facility.
- Parking: the Terminal 5 garage and Lot D are next to the terminal; check rates and availability before driving in.
Useful amenities
Terminal 5 has mother’s rooms, service-animal relief areas, Travelers Aid, an interfaith room near M25, foreign-currency services, shops, and seating throughout the concourse. Delta and contract lounges offer additional facilities to eligible visitors.
For wheelchair or mobility assistance, arrange service with the airline before travel. The ATS stations and terminal routes are accessible, but distance still matters; ask for help rather than counting on a short walk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Terminal 5 only for international flights?
No. It handles most international arrivals and many international departures, but it also has domestic flights. Some international departures use other terminals.
Can I walk from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3?
Not by a normal passenger walkway. Eligible connecting passengers can use the secure-side transfer bus when it is operating; otherwise, exit security and take the ATS.
Does Terminal 5 have a 24-hour TSA checkpoint?
O’Hare listed Checkpoint 10 for 24-hour standard screening when reviewed July 16, 2026. Confirm current hours, and remember that airline counters may follow shorter schedules.
How do I reach the Blue Line from Terminal 5?
Take the free ATS to Terminal 2 and follow the signs for “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City.”
Terminal, checkpoint, dining, and transfer details reviewed July 16, 2026.
Sources
- Chicago Department of Aviation: International Travel (accessed July 16, 2026)
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Transportation Between Terminals (accessed July 16, 2026)
- Chicago Department of Aviation: TSA checkpoint hours (accessed July 16, 2026)
- Chicago Department of Aviation: O’Hare dining directory (accessed July 16, 2026)
- Chicago Department of Aviation: O’Hare lounges (accessed July 16, 2026)
These links are here so you can check the details yourself. ARECO receives no payment when you use them.