Chicago O'Hare -Clearing Customs and Making a Connection
 

Hi,

I'm flying back from Europe through Chicago and then catching my flight back to Houston on Continental. How crazy is Chicago-O'Hare these days in general and how long will it probably take me to clear passport control and customs? I only have two hours. Should I expect to miss my connection? Thanks for any info!

In all seriousness, yes. Expect to miss your connection. The U.S. customs agents at O'Hare are the worlds worst. Depending on the time of day, the whole process (which includes rechecking your baggage!!) could easily take 2 hours or more.

I'll make a bold prediction and I will say that you will make your connection.

The only thing that could possibly make my prediction not come true is few other international flights coming in at the same time, or I guess, if your flight is late.

Assuming that you are a US citizen, the immigration lines are manageable.(15 minutes) You will collect your luggage, possibly talking to customs officer during the wait, and unless it's something out of the ordinary, you will walk through customs.(this entire procedure should take 30 minutes or less) Right outside the customs door, you will drop off your luggage, walk over to the train station and take the train to the appropriate terminal. I'll be honest, I don't know what terminal CO is located at (I fly AA), but it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Once in the terminal, you will go through security and walk to the gate(another 15 to 30 minutes). So according to my calculations you will have about 30-45 minutes to spare. Maybe a quick cocktail! :-)

Besides, I'm sure CO has later flights, so nothing to worry about.

Enjoy your trip!!!

FYI, last December, we came in from LHR to ORD, and it took 30 minutes total from the time we deplaned at terminal 5 to the time I was sitting at the AA Flagship Lounge in terminal 3(past security).

We came in this past Saturday afternoon at about 4:00. It took us about 40 minutes to get through and out, but we did not have a connection to make (hence, we did not have to recheck our bags and make it to another terminal). The only other time I flew into O'Hare from an international flight, we did have to make a connection (about 2 years ago). That time it took us a little over an hour to get through customs and make it to our connecting gate. I have flown through Chicago many, many times for domestic flights. It has been highly variable in terms of making connections. My worst luck has been in June and July when thunderstorms completely disrupt the place.

aggiegirl,
We went through customs at O'Hare twice in the last year and a half. Each time it took no longer than 30 minutes from the time we deplaned until we had are bags and cleared customs.
That said - your experience could certainly be different.

JoeG

There was a finish to the above...


..... and the other 4-5 times I came through ORD, it never took more than an hour from term 5 to term 3 (whatever gate)

I'd say my average for immigration, baggage claim and customs at O'Hare is about 30 minutes, and I don't recall it ever taking as much as an hour to exit Terminal 5. As others have said, it depends on how many planes are in at the same time.

Continental is in Terminal 2 at O'Hare. You will need to take the train from Terminal 5. Sometimes there's a short wait for a train, but it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes.

I don't have much experience with security lines at Terminal 2. It has mostly airlines with smaller presence at O'Hare, and United whose passengers probably clear security in Terminal 1.

Unless there is a delay on the inbound, you probably will be fine.

The immigration line isn't an issue -- the worst that happens is that it takes as long as your luggage does!

The two bottlenecks are customs -- I've seen real lines there -- and rechecking you bag -- you have to wait in a line -- you can't just dump and run.

Under all but the most abnormal circumstances you will make your next flight fine.

Two hours is the minimum I'd allow.

I've done this many times. We almost always connect through O'Hare on the way to/from Europe. We've made the connection with less than 1 hour. Two hours should work easily.

I fly through O'Hare from Europe two or three times a year and I'm able to get from Terminal 5 to my gate at Terminal 3 in 30-45 minutes, max. (I don't check luggage, though)

My flights from Europe land late afternoon and I've traveled various months during the year and my timing is pretty consistent.

Thanks to everybody for your helpful replies! I really appreciate it!

A flight from Europe can arrive early, or it can arrive terribly late. If you're flying on the same ticket to IAH, then don't worry. If the original flight is late, they'll put you on a later flight. But if you're on seperate tickets, then you just have to pray that the Europe-Chicago flight gets in ontime.