christyc

Hello, I'll be having a layover inbound from Madison, WI at Chicago and international outbound to Asia. Baggage will be checked through at Madison to Asia (by United Airlines). This is on a Sunday - end July (7AM to 1PM).

Never been to Chicago and will never step back there in a long time! (if ever - costly & farr) so was thinking of maximising this 6 hours to the best i can!

i've read a bit that ORD's pretty congested. how much time do i really have downtown if i don't want things to be so rush? even if i don't need to check in again, does security screening take long for international flights?

Is there any attractions worthy downtown, for a quick bite (cheap n good if possible ) but more interested on sightseeing? best ways to get there...any recommendations?

AAFrequentFlyer

Blue line train will take you to downtown area, but it takes about an hour each way so subtract that from your " free time" You'll need another 1+ hour to get back through security and find the gate.

I figure you will have about 2 hours total in the downtown area, if that.

Is it worth it? not sure, it has to be your decision.

And finally, this is assuming your flight arrives on time.

If you decide to go for it, do the Hancock Building 96th Lounge, NOT THE OBSERVATORY! For the same price of the observatory elevator ride, you can get a drink (food is available) at the 96th Lounge for the price of the ticket to the observatory just one floor above. The elevator ride is free. If it's a clear day, the views are just stunning.

nytraveler

O'Hare is a madhouse at best. For an international flight there is no way I would arrive back there an hour before the flight - it could take almost that long just to get through security. I think - under the best circumstances (your incoming flight is on time, trains run with no problems and there is no security delay when you get back to the airport) you MIGHT have 2 hours in Chicago. Plus you'll have to be hauling your carry-on around with you.

I've been through O'Hare dozens of times - and it's not something I would care to risk.

And can't imagine why you wouldn't hop down to Chicago at any other time - it;s so close - 2.5 hours each way can even be done as a day trip if you don;t want to pay for hotels.

chicagofoodie1954

Like they said- you'll be pushing it. If you have the budget though, you could take a taxi which might save some time but increase your expenses. Plus, traffic is tough to tell and hate to be sitting in a taxi and watching the blue line go by. But you should have at least an hour or so-- maybe take an architecture boat cruise!

fmpden

Which airline are you using? That makes some difference relative to security. Personally opinion is that O'Hare is as bad as NYtraveler would like you to believe. It can be if the weather is bad as it frequently is. Last week we were through Delta (terminal 3) and security was ten minutes. Two weeks earlier United was less than 15 minutes. I would be a little more concerned with the Blue line since maintenance is other done on the weekend and can make the time longer with delays. You could do it but it would be tight. If using United the walk to and from the train long. Delta and American are shorter.

fmpden

Opps, I did see you mention United. Using United I would add thirty minutes to your schedule and get back 90 minutes prior to your flight.

iamq

Our recent planned 5 hour layover at ORD actually ended up being about 2 thanks to a delay in our previous flight. That is not unusual for ORD.

andrews98682

Assuming your flight arrives on time, you'd probably have about an hour or an hour and a half downtown before you'd want to head back to the airport. Keep in mind, the trains run a little less frequently on the weekends. Another option would be to get off at Wicker Park and walk around there, maybe grab a bite to eat. It's a little closer to the airport so you'd have some extra time.
I''m with NYTraveler: Why couldn't you visit for a day or a weekend when you're only a few hours away?

christyc

Thanks for the replies!

i think i wouldn't be risking it then. Sounds like there wouldn't be much time at all taking into a/c the travelling & security screening times.

oh, i'm not a few hours away. i'm about 20 hrs flight away... i live in Asia. prob i'll give chicago downtown a miss this time! at least i'll be visiting LA, San Fran hoho. till i'm back one fine day!

DMG

They are opening a new casino this week right by the airport. It is called Rivers Casino. We went there today to preview Hugo's Frog Bar, a restaurant run by the Gibsons Group. In the casino there is even a flight information board to keep you posted on arrivals and departures. If you enjoy a little gambling or even a good meal it would be a good place to go without spending a lot of time travelling.