How do I get from terminal 3 to Terminal 5 in Chicago?

How to get from terminal 3 to terminal 5 chicago: ATS vs Bus

Navigating how to get from terminal 3 to terminal 5 chicago requires careful planning to prevent missed international flights. Choosing the wrong transfer method forces passengers through long security checkpoints all over again. Review the available transit options below to ensure a smooth airport connection.

Choosing Your Route: The Best Way to Transfer to Terminal 5

Navigating OHare International Airport (ORD) can feel like solving a complex puzzle, especially when you need to jump between the domestic hubs in Terminal 3 and the international gates of Terminal 5. Your choice between the train and the bus depends entirely on where you are standing right now - and whether you want to wait in another security line. This query usually has more than one logical explanation depending on whether you have already cleared security or are just arriving from the city.

The Airport Transit System (ATS) train connects all terminals 24 hours a day, but requires you to exit security. Alternatively, the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) allows you to stay airside - if you are connecting from a domestic flight - and bypass the massive security queues at Terminal 5. In my years flying through Chicago, I have learned that taking the wrong turn here can cost you an hour of your life. Dont let it happen.

Option 1: The Airport Transit System (ATS) Train

The ATS is the most visible and frequent way to move between terminals. It is a fully automated train system that runs on an elevated track outside of the secure area. Learn how to use O'Hare ATS train services as they operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with cars arriving every 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours.^[1] If you are starting your journey from the city or have already collected your checked bags in Terminal 3, this is your only option. It is fast, clean, and provides a great view of the airfield. But there is a catch.

Since the ATS is landside, you must exit the secure area of Terminal 3 to board it. This means when you arrive at Terminal 5, you will have to stand in the TSA security line all over again. During busy periods, security wait times at Terminal 5 average 25 to 45 minutes - sometimes longer during the evening international rush.^[2] I have seen many travelers miss flights because they underestimated this specific bottleneck. Plan accordingly.

How to Catch the ATS from Terminal 3

Follow these steps to find the train: 1. Follow the signs for All Terminals or ATS located throughout Terminal 3. 2. Head toward the baggage claim level and look for the elevators or escalators to the ATS station. 3. Board the train heading toward Terminal 5 (it usually stops at Terminal 2 and 1 first if coming from the other direction). 4. The actual ride from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 takes approximately 6 to 9 minutes. ^[3]

Option 2: The Terminal Transfer Bus (Airside Shuttle)

For those with a connecting flight, the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) is OHares best-kept secret. This shuttle runs entirely inside the secure area, meaning you do not have to exit security or go through the TSA screening process again at Terminal 5. Reviewing the O'Hare terminal 5 shuttle bus hours shows it currently operates from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily.^[4] If your connection falls outside these hours, the bus will not be running, and you will be forced to use the ATS train. Seldom do travelers realize this until they are standing at a closed gate.

This bus is a game-changer for international connections. By staying airside, you save the 30-plus minutes typically spent in the T5 security line. The TTB arrives at Terminal 5 near Gate M13, dropping you right into the heart of the international departures area. It is efficient, but you need to know exactly where the pick-up points are, as they are tucked away on the lower levels. Look for the signs - they are small but critical. ^[5]

Where to Board the TTB in Terminal 3

There are two main pick-up locations in Terminal 3: ORD terminal transfer bus gate G17 located in the G Concourse and Gate K20 located in the K Concourse. Once you reach these gates, look for the Terminal Transfer Bus signage. You will need to take an elevator or stairs down to the tarmac level where the bus waits. The shuttle runs approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. Just remember: if you have to claim checked baggage at Terminal 3, you cannot use this bus.

Handling Your Checked Baggage

Baggage is where most transfer plans fall apart. If your flights are on a single ticket (for example, American Airlines connecting to a partner international carrier), your bags are usually checked through to your final destination. In this case, you can hop on the TTB bus at Gate G17 or K20 without a worry. When you need to transfer domestic to international O'Hare flights, coordinates must be exact. However, if you booked two separate tickets, you will almost certainly have to pick up your bags at Terminal 3 baggage claim. If you touch your bags, you must use the ATS train. There is no way around this.

Lets be honest: lugging three suitcases across OHare is not fun. If you find yourself in this situation, head straight for the ATS. Once you reach Terminal 5 with your luggage, you will need to check in at your international airlines counter before heading to security. I have found that arriving at Terminal 5 at least 3 hours before an international flight is the only way to keep your stress levels manageable. Anything less is a gamble. You heard that right. A total gamble.

ATS Train vs. Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB)

ATS Train (Landside)

Requires exiting security and re-clearing at T5

Every 3 to 5 minutes during peak times

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Travelers with checked bags or those arriving from the city

Terminal Transfer Bus (Airside) - Recommended for Connections

Stays inside security; no re-screening at T5

Every 15 to 20 minutes

Limited: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily

Tight connections with carry-on or through-checked bags

The Wrong Turn: Mark's Tight Connection

Mark, an IT consultant from Chicago, arrived at Terminal 3 from a domestic flight with only 90 minutes to catch his international flight to London. He followed the first sign he saw for 'Terminal 5,' which led him straight out of the secure area toward the ATS train.

After a quick 6-minute train ride, he arrived at Terminal 5 only to be greeted by a massive security line snaking through the lobby. The estimated wait time was 50 minutes, and panic set in as his boarding time approached.

He realized his mistake - he should have looked for the airside TTB bus at Gate K20. He decided to speak to a TSA agent, who fortunately moved him to an expedited lane, but the stress was almost unbearable.

Mark made his flight with 5 minutes to spare, but he learned a valuable lesson: always check if the airside bus is an option before following the general exit signs. He now keeps a map of O'Hare's lower-level gates on his phone.