Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare

[Rickster]

I fly into Chicago with my fiancee and we will have 1 hour and 50 minutes to make our connecting flight.  Can anybody give me an idea on the time it will take to get through immigration and customs while also going from Terminal 5 (international terminal) to Terminal 3 for O'Hare?  I just realized how close the timing was on my tickets and now I am wondering if I should reschedule for another later flight that would give me another 1.5 hours?  Any experiences or comments would be appreciated...Rick

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare, posted by Rickster on Nov 1, 2001

If you miss a domestic flight you can just catch the next flight out.  Planes in the US are flying with a lot of empty seats now so it should be easy to get seats. That would save you the change fee for two people.  You're only taking a small chance on missing the next flight.  

If you cut an international flight connection close that would be trouble.

[Bill P]

... in response to Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare, posted by Rickster on Nov 1, 2001

I noticed that booking tickets through some of the companies on the internet like Expedia often give you limited connections on the return as options.  I have waited for a very long time for bags to come off the plane so that you can even go through customs.  Even through the monorail ride from International terminal to the other terminals is short, remember that you will have to go through security again once there and may have to carry your bags all the way to the new terminal depending on your next airline.  (We were surpised this was the case for United airlines recently in Chicago).  IF you can change your flight, you should do this.  It is frequently possible to catch an earlier flight if you are lucky enough to make it through customs and all in record time.  Just inquire at the flight desk.  Also, remember that your connecting flight in Chicago is likely to be delayed as well so it is possible that you'll have enough time.  I don't think they will charge you to get on a later flight if you miss your connection if there is room.

Goo luck

-Bill

[JaH]

... in response to Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare, posted by Rickster on Nov 1, 2001

We just did the same thing, it took about 30 min total for customs and to get to term. 5, no problem.

[foraker]

... in response to Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare, posted by Rickster on Nov 1, 2001

Having done the foreign travel thing many times, I can tell you that a 1.5 hour change-over was cutting it close pre-9/11 and travelling by yourself on a US passport.

[Go2Rus]

... in response to Timing - Connecting Flight for O'Hare, posted by Rickster on Nov 1, 2001

It is a long haul from the Intl terminal to where you need to go for domestic flight.  Long walks down corridors, then monorail ride to next place, then long walks again.

And of course, many things can go wrong.  Flight delays alone will throw everything out window.

Factor in a foreigner with you for first time through that procedure and possible problems she may face with documents, etc., and therefore, if I were you, I would reschedule something no less than a 3 hour gap or even more.

Where possible, I have 4 hour gaps for connecting with an Intl flight.  Sure its no fun waiting in airport, but it is a hell of a lot better than missing your flight and trying to rebook; or even worse read about how Zink below had to wait until the next day.