O'Hare Terminal 3 Guide
Complete guide to Terminal 3 at O'Hare Airport. Find American Airlines gates, dining, Admirals Clubs, shopping, transportation, and terminal connections.
Author: Sarah Mitchell
Terminal 3 Quick Facts
- Primary Airline: American Airlines
- Concourses: H, K, and L
- Gates: H1-H18, K1-K20, L1-L11
- Lounges: 2 American Admirals Clubs
- CTA Blue Line: Station located in Terminal 3
- Lost and Found: Main office on lower level
Terminal 3 Overview
Terminal 3 is O'Hare's American Airlines hub, featuring three concourses with domestic and select international flights. The terminal also houses the CTA Blue Line station, providing direct rapid transit access to downtown Chicago. With extensive dining options, two Admirals Club lounges, and efficient connections to other terminals via the Airport Transit System, Terminal 3 serves millions of passengers annually.
Airlines and Gates
Terminal 3 Airlines
American Airlines (Primary Carrier)
- Concourse H: Gates H1-H18 (domestic)
- Concourse K: Gates K1-K20 (domestic and international)
- Concourse L: Gates L1-L11 (domestic)
- Destinations: Nationwide coverage plus international routes
Other Airlines
- Alaska Airlines: Select gates in Concourse H
- Spirit Airlines: Concourse K
- International carriers: Various gates as assigned
Security Checkpoints
- Location: Upper level (departures level) before entering concourses
- TSA PreCheck: Available in dedicated lanes
- Average wait: 15-40 minutes depending on time
- Peak hours: 5:00-8:00 AM and 3:00-6:00 PM
- Recommended arrival: 2 hours domestic, 3 hours international
Dining Options
Concourse H
- Goose Island Beer Company: Chicago craft beer and pub fare
- Chili's Too: American casual dining
- Starbucks: Coffee and light breakfast
- Subway: Sandwiches and salads
Concourse K
- Tortas Frontera: Rick Bayless Mexican cuisine
- Billy Goat Tavern: Famous Chicago burger joint
- Tuscany: Italian dining
- Gold Coast Dogs: Chicago hot dogs
- Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi: Fresh seafood
Concourse L
- Tuscany Cafe: Italian quick service
- Dunkin': Coffee and donuts
- Various grab-and-go options
American Airlines Admirals Clubs
Admirals Club - Concourse H
Location: Near Gate H6
Hours: 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Access: Admirals Club membership, Oneworld status, business class, day pass ($59-79)
Amenities: Complimentary food and drinks, showers, WiFi, workspaces
Admirals Club - Concourse K
Location: Near Gate K6
Hours: 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Access: Admirals Club membership, Oneworld status, business class, day pass ($59-79)
Amenities: Food, beverages, WiFi, business center
Shopping and Retail
- Hudson News: Multiple locations for magazines, books, snacks
- InMotion Entertainment: Headphones, electronics, tech accessories
- Brighton Collectibles: Accessories and jewelry
- Chicago souvenir shops: Local gifts and merchandise
- Duty-free: Available for international departures
- CNBC News: Business publications and travel essentials
CTA Blue Line Access
Public Transit to Downtown
Location: Underground station, accessible from all Terminal 3 concourses
Cost: $5 from O'Hare to downtown
Hours: 24/7 service
Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes
Journey time: 40-50 minutes to Loop
Follow signs for "Trains to City" or "CTA" from any concourse. Elevators and escalators provide access to the station platform.
Terminal Connections
Terminal 3 to Terminals 1 and 2
Method: Airport Transit System (ATS) train
Time: 5-7 minutes
Security: Remain post-security
Frequency: Every 3-5 minutes
Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 (International)
Method: ATS train
Time: 10 minutes
Security: Post-security connection, may require additional screening
Notes: Allow extra time for international flights
Ground Transportation
All ground transportation is located on the lower level (arrivals level) of Terminal 3.
- CTA Blue Line: Underground station, $5 to downtown
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Designated pickup zone on lower level
- Taxis: Taxi stand outside baggage claim
- Hotel shuttles: Designated areas on lower level
- Rental cars: Take ATS to rental car facility
- Parking shuttles: Free shuttles to economy and long-term parking
Terminal 3 Amenities
- Free WiFi: Available throughout terminal
- Charging stations: At gates and seating areas
- ATMs: Multiple locations in all concourses
- Family restrooms: Available in all concourses
- Nursing rooms: Near Gates H3 and K6
- Pet relief area: Concourse L near Gate L6
- Kids on the Fly: Play area near Gate H11
- Lost and Found: Lower level, main office for O'Hare
- Currency exchange: Multiple locations
Parking Near Terminal 3
Terminal 3 Parking Options
- Terminal parking: Check O'Hare's current Lots A, B, C, and D availability and rates before driving.
- Economy parking: Lots F, G, and H connect through the Multi-Modal Facility and ATS.
- Off-site parking: Compare the provider's current total, pickup instructions, and shuttle hours directly.
Tips for Terminal 3
- American connections: Most American flights stay within Terminal 3
- Concourse distances: Allow 10-15 minutes to walk between concourses
- Gate changes: Monitor screens frequently, American commonly changes gates
- CTA access: Best public transit option from any O'Hare terminal
- International connections: Allow 90+ minutes to reach Terminal 5
- Food options: Concourse K has the most dining variety
Bottom Line
Terminal 3 is American Airlines' main O'Hare hub with three concourses and excellent amenities. The terminal houses the CTA Blue Line station providing the best public transit access at O'Hare. Two Admirals Club lounges serve eligible passengers. Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours for international connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines fly from Terminal 3 at O'Hare?
Terminal 3 is primarily operated by American Airlines, serving both domestic and international flights. Other carriers at Terminal 3 include Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and various international airlines. American operates from Gates H1-H18, K1-K20, and L1-L11 across three concourses making it American's main hub terminal at O'Hare.
How long does it take to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5?
The Airport Transit System (ATS) train connects Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 in approximately 10 minutes including wait time. Trains run every 3-5 minutes and the connection is post-security. For international flights from Terminal 5, allow extra time for potential additional security screening. Walking is not practical between these terminals.
Where is the CTA Blue Line station from Terminal 3?
The CTA Blue Line station is located in Terminal 3 underground, accessible from all concourses. Follow signs for "Trains to City" or "CTA." The Blue Line provides direct service to downtown Chicago for $5, running 24/7 with trains every 5-15 minutes. Journey time to downtown is approximately 40-50 minutes.
Does Terminal 3 have American Airlines Admirals Club lounges?
Yes, Terminal 3 has two American Airlines Admirals Club locations: one in Concourse H (near Gate H6) and another in Concourse K (near Gate K6). Access requires Admirals Club membership, Oneworld elite status, business class tickets, or day passes ($59-79). Both lounges offer complimentary food, beverages, WiFi, showers, and workspaces.