Hello,

I have a 5 hour layover on April 13 between my LH flight from Frankfurt and the connecting flight to Jacksonville.

Anything to do at the airport, or could it be reasonable to visit downtown (Sears Tower?) during this time?

Moreover: How is transfer at ORD from international to national, I understood that I have to clear security once again?

Yours,

Matthias

With a five hour layover, I would not necessarily recommend heading downtown. The CTA (train) ride takes about 45 minutes and a cab ride will take you 1/2 hour or maybe much more during times of heavy traffic.

You have to use the ATS system (a small tram) between the International Terminal 5 and Terminal 1 assuming you fly United. You will have to clear security again in the domestic terminals.

As far as things to do, there are three Red Carpet Clubs in the United Terminal. Also the airport Hilton has several nice restaurants, which can be much quieter than the terminals, however it is obviously outside security. There is really not that much to do close in to O'Hare airport, so unless you have the time to go downtown Chicago, I would not recommend leaving the airport.

With a five hour layover, I would not necessarily recommend heading downtown. The CTA (train) ride takes about 45 minutes and a cab ride will take you 1/2 hour or maybe much more during times of heavy traffic.

You have to use the ATS system (a small tram) between the International Terminal 5 and Terminal 1 assuming you fly United. You will have to clear security again in the domestic terminals.

As far as things to do, there are three Red Carpet Clubs in the United Terminal. Also the airport Hilton has several nice restaurants, which can be much quieter than the terminals, however it is obviously outside security. There is really not that much to do close in to O'Hare airport, so unless you have the time to go downtown Chicago, I would not recommend leaving the airport.

The Hilton also has an Atheletic facility that you can use for a nominal charge.

The Hilton also has an Atheletic facility that you can use for a nominal charge.

I think it is $10...excellent way to recharge after your FRA-ORD segment.

Thanks for the reply - the Hilton looks like a good idea.

and yes - I am leaving on United

If you are in the market for a bit of real food. There are excellent restaurants available by free shuttle to area hotels. I suggest Hyatt Rosemont for the Steak Sandwich; or, go top shelf and do Morton's of Chicago. I thing the Marriott shuttle is the closest. Advise if interested and I will provide details.

If you are in the market for a bit of real food. There are excellent restaurants available by free shuttle to area hotels. I suggest Hyatt Rosemont for the Steak Sandwich; or, go top shelf and do Morton's of Chicago. I thing the Marriott shuttle is the closest. Advise if interested and I will provide details.

Care to give us the detail about the Hyatt Rosemont Steak Sandwich, I often have 3 hours connection at ORD, is this good enough time?

Yes, three hours would be enough for a domestic connection, maybe cutting it close for an international arrival.

This is a frequently asked question over at the Chicago forum:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528778

I'm assuming you are connecting from the first FRA-ORD flight on LH, which arrives at 12:10pm. There is a 1:15pm flight to JAX, which, if you hurried you could possibly make it, but it would be tight. I would try for it.

You will have to clear customs in Terminal 5, then take the train to Terminal 1 and reclear security.

If you time things right, 3 hours is plenty with boarding passes in hand to hit the Hyatt.

From Domestic Terminals - Follow signs to ground transportation center - 10 minute walk to/from most gates. If arriving on UA, it is easier to head down to baggage claim and then walk across the street. All shuttle buses depart from here.

From International Arrivals Building - Call 847 518 1234 (Hyatt) as soon as you clear customs. Head to to Portal 5E (lower level) and the shuttle will pick you up.

The Hyatt shuttle departs every 20 minutes. Once you arrive at the Rosemont Hyatt (Not ORD Hyatt), head to the desk and set up your return ride. It is on call based on need. Go around the corner and have a seat in the restaurant. Service is prompt and the sandwich is excellent.

I frequently do this with a 2 hour layover. If I had a 4+ layover, I would head to Morton's and really do it up right!

Given it is ORD we're talking about, there's a fair chance air traffic control will eat up half of your layover. ;)

If I had a 4+ layover, I would head to Morton's and really do it up right!

Which Morton's is closest to ORD?

Which Morton's is closest to ORD?
The one in Rosemont,,,,,which is located here (http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=9525+W+Bryn+Mawr+Ave+&csz=Rosemont+IL+60018&Get%A0Map=Get+Map). It is located in Columbia Center III, which is near the Sofitel, Embassy Suites, and the Hyatt Regency Ohare.....ENJOY!!

Best wishes, Dave

The one in Rosemont,,,,,which is located here (http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=9525+W+Bryn+Mawr+Ave+&csz=Rosemont+IL+60018&Get%A0Map=Get+Map). It is located in Columbia Center III, which is near the Sofitel, Embassy Suites, and the Hyatt Regency Ohare.....ENJOY!!

Best wishes, Dave

Thanks, but drat, not open for lunch. :(

One of my favorites, and a real Chicago treat, is to go to Gino's East in Rosemont. It's about a 10 min taxi ride there. (Get the cab company # to go back).

It's real Chicago Style Pizza. (Much better than Uno's).

On a related note. My daughter has a 2 hour layover at ORD next week and Mrs. Milepig and I were going to go out to see her. I'm not aware of anything other than the Hilton that is outside security where one can sit down and have a drink/snack. Is this correct?

I would suggest a search of the Chicago forum, where there are similar threads and to where this thread is being moved since it's not United-specific

cblaisd
Moderator, United

Is this correct?
To the very best of my knowledge, that's right - Altho technically speaking T5 does have a 'small' McDonalds in the arrivals section....You might want to try and see if you can get a gate pass, altho your profile shows you as 1P, which may or may not work. As a 1K, its very easy to get gate passes if you are also a RCC member. Good luck with whatever you decide! Best wishes, Dave

T5's entire upper level food court is outside the security gates, besides the baggage-level McDo mentioned. There are a few Starbucks coffee carts on the land side -- IIRC, T3 ticketing and baggage claim both have 'em. I don't even know if they have seating.
.pc

Gibson's Steakhouse in Rosemont is open for lunch. It's better than Morton's (IMHO) and easy to get into and out of. I've actually done lunch there on a 3 hour ORD layover (though I couldn't linger and had a friend pick me up and drop me off).

Gibson's Steakhouse in Rosemont is open for lunch. It's better than Morton's (IMHO) and easy to get into and out of. I've actually done lunch there on a 3 hour ORD layover (though I couldn't linger and had a friend pick me up and drop me off).

Good suggestion. Had lunch there yesterday and indeed very easy to get to and back from ORD. Not the best restaurant steak I've had, but very good and the staff are great. Nice place I'd go back to.

Had a great chatty cabby on the way back who was a dead ringer for Norm doing "Da Bears" on SNL. I grew up in South Bend, IN and now living in the south so I don't hear that accent a lot.

Thanks!

One of my favorites, and a real Chicago treat, is to go to Gino's East in Rosemont. It's about a 10 min taxi ride there. (Get the cab company # to go back).

It's real Chicago Style Pizza. (Much better than Uno's).

Yeah, but it doesn't hold a candle to Lou Malnati's. But, there's no way you'll get there w/ the given times constraints. (At least not the one about 2-3 blocks North of the Loop. (Wells & _____)?

I have a 5 hour layover on April 13 between my LH flight from Frankfurt and the connecting flight to Jacksonville.
If you are on the 5pm flight to Jacksonville, I'll be on that flight as well. I should be able to get to the airport somewhat early if you are up for having a pre-flight drink.

The drink will also help you in regards to dealing with the Ted flight! :)

I'll send you a pm.

edited to add: scratch the pm as you don't wish to receive emails. so pm me if interested.

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