Jan 2, 2019, 1:15 pm
Last edit by: onthesam
Update 10/29/2021:
Per the Chicago Tribune, quoting a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Aviation, the ATS is set to reopen "within the month".
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On October 18, 2019, the Chicago Department of Avaition announced that the People Mover / Airport Transit System (ATS) will remain closed until at least early 2020.
From the official ORD airport site
Transportation Between Terminals (ATS & TTB)
This has been a long-planned / announced Airport Transit System (ATS) Improvement Project
For airside T3 to T5 transfers - AND EFFECTIVE 6/14/2019 T1 to T5 Transfers
You must have your onward (international) BP and Passport in order to board the TTB from either T1 or T3 to T5.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take theATS {shuttle bus transfer service} to the domestic terminals. You will need to clear security again at the domestic terminals.
Per the Chicago Tribune, quoting a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Aviation, the ATS is set to reopen "within the month".
---
On October 18, 2019, the Chicago Department of Avaition announced that the People Mover / Airport Transit System (ATS) will remain closed until at least early 2020.
From the official ORD airport site
Transportation Between Terminals (ATS & TTB)
The O’Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or “people mover) is closed 24/7 to finalize modernization efforts and expansion of the system.
In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O’Hare’s terminals and parking lots, the CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H); the Multi-Modal Facility, where rental cars are housed; and the Metra O’Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.
If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON’T have to take the shuttle buses, you can walk. Simply follow in-airport signage.
The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to open sometime in 2020..
In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O’Hare’s terminals and parking lots, the CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H); the Multi-Modal Facility, where rental cars are housed; and the Metra O’Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.
If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON’T have to take the shuttle buses, you can walk. Simply follow in-airport signage.
The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to open sometime in 2020..
For airside T3 to T5 transfers - AND EFFECTIVE 6/14/2019 T1 to T5 Transfers
you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminals 1 and 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm. If you are arriving into the domestic terminals and need to collect your luggage (exit the security side of the airport) and recheck in T5, you will not be able to use this service. Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
Gate B1
Gate G17
Gate K20
Gate L24
Gate B1
Gate G17
Gate K20
Gate L24
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take the
People Mover/ATS @O’Hare/ORD shuttle train ceases ops until 202? [REOPENED 11/3/21]
Jan 14, 2019, 10:45 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I'm glad I ruled out Chicago for my next flights. My wheelchair-using son didn't want to face freezing or wet weather getting on and off a bus, and I wasn't confident the system would work reliably.
Jan 14, 2019, 10:50 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,263
Got a rental at ORD yesterday. first two buses drove past without stopping. Finally got picked up by the third bus. Got a convoluted unenthusiastic announcement from the bus driver. "Oh yeah, there won't be anymore buses to the rental center so don't get on any buses to go get a rental. There will only be a train which they're building at will take a year and a half. This is the train now but its a actually a bus. .....We are now arriving, I hope you enjoyed the ride on the train/bus."
Jan 14, 2019, 11:35 am
#48
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
Would this situation be any better first thing in the morning? I have a 2.5hr connection coming off a GRU-ORD flight and would like to maximize time in the Polaris lounge. Ultimately would prefer connecting in IAH and will look to SDC but UA845 was the only ex-GRU flight with PZ availability at booking.
Jan 14, 2019, 11:39 am
#49
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Would this situation be any better first thing in the morning? I have a 2.5hr connection coming off a GRU-ORD flight and would like to maximize time in the Polaris lounge. Ultimately would prefer connecting in IAH and will look to SDC but UA845 was the only ex-GRU flight with PZ availability at booking.
Jan 27, 2019, 9:13 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DAY
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, BA, DL, CO, UA, F9, AS, SPG, HHonors Gold, WN, Club Carlson Gold,
Posts: 1,378
ORD Transit System between Intl Terminal and United Concourses - How much delay?
I see that the ORD Transit System (ATS) is down till the Fall of 2019, including the ATS transportation to the International Terminal from the United Concourses. For the bus transportation that has been provided, how is that working out? Should I allocate more time to connect to Intl and domestic United flights due to the shuttle service replacement? How has this affected your travel to/from United domestic and Int'l flights. Has anyone missed connecting flights or Int'l flights? How much time should be allowed say for example arriving from an Intl'l flight in the International terminal, and connecting to a United flight from the United Concourses. Thanks for information and advice.
Jan 27, 2019, 9:32 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 188
Just a data point here. I landed in terminal 5, after existing custom door, turn right and walk past the usual escalator and you'll see a place to catch the bus. There was no line when I got there and bus happened to arrive just in time. First stop is terminal 1. I didn't measure the time but felt like the travel time was slightly longer than train but not by much (since terminal 1 was the first stop). Probably might want to allocate more time during peak travel season.
Jan 27, 2019, 2:36 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 154
+1 for allocating more time: especially Fridays, Sunday nights, and around any holidays or events. The Friday before Thanksgiving 2018 ca. 2:30 pm T5 had a line of 300+ people waiting for "the" bus. I imagine a lot of people are missing connecting flights. I took a cab to the domestic terminals.
And...am avoiding booking any more flight transfers through T5 until this is over. (If your O/D airport is ORD, you'd never notice it, however.)
And...am avoiding booking any more flight transfers through T5 until this is over. (If your O/D airport is ORD, you'd never notice it, however.)
Jan 27, 2019, 3:39 pm
#54
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Which, on the day I went, took 15 minutes door to turnstile. I think it really varies day to day.
Feb 6, 2019, 9:42 am
#55
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 71
How will this situation affect getting from the economy parking lots (specifically G) to Terminal 5, and back?
We are flying from ORD International Terminal to BUD on LOT (Polish Airlines) on May 4th, Saturday, returning May 21st, Tuesday. We are driving from Toledo, OH and planning on parking our car in one of those economy lots.
Should we be prepared for a long delay, traffic, and chaos getting from parking lots to terminal? We have 2 small kids...
We are flying from ORD International Terminal to BUD on LOT (Polish Airlines) on May 4th, Saturday, returning May 21st, Tuesday. We are driving from Toledo, OH and planning on parking our car in one of those economy lots.
Should we be prepared for a long delay, traffic, and chaos getting from parking lots to terminal? We have 2 small kids...
Feb 6, 2019, 10:04 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
How will this situation affect getting from the economy parking lots (specifically G) to Terminal 5, and back?
We are flying from ORD International Terminal to BUD on LOT (Polish Airlines) on May 4th, Saturday, returning May 21st, Tuesday. We are driving from Toledo, OH and planning on parking our car in one of those economy lots.
Should we be prepared for a long delay, traffic, and chaos getting from parking lots to terminal? We have 2 small kids...
We are flying from ORD International Terminal to BUD on LOT (Polish Airlines) on May 4th, Saturday, returning May 21st, Tuesday. We are driving from Toledo, OH and planning on parking our car in one of those economy lots.
Should we be prepared for a long delay, traffic, and chaos getting from parking lots to terminal? We have 2 small kids...
I would consider it easier than normal, because when the train is running you'd have to take a bus from Lot G to the ATS stop, and then the ATS to Terminal 5. Now you just take a bus straight from G to T5. So one fewer transfer. I'd leave a few extra minutes just in case you have to wait for the bus or the first one is full.
Here's a map of the bus route to help you visualize it:
https://www.flychicago.com/SiteColle...4%20x%2036.pdf
You could consider an off-site parking (Parking Spot, etc.) but their shuttle buses have to get through the same traffic. And the official buses supposedly have a dedicated lane through the tightest spots, now, though I haven't been on one since that change so can't speak personally.
Feb 6, 2019, 10:48 am
#57
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 71
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll look into the off-site parking options but probably stay in lot G or E. Good point on the one less transfer with the ATS being closed.
If anyone else here has recent experience in this matter, I'd appreciate their comments.
Also, how is traffic driving to the parking lots? I've only driven to O'Hare once, an that was 20 years ago.
If anyone else here has recent experience in this matter, I'd appreciate their comments.
Also, how is traffic driving to the parking lots? I've only driven to O'Hare once, an that was 20 years ago.
Feb 6, 2019, 10:58 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Traffic on Saturdays is generally not too bad. There are always exceptions.
In your case, in addition to off-site parking options, I would recommend you consider various park-sleep-fly options. A quick search shows 1 night hotel near o'hare including 19 days of parking starting at about $150 and going up to about $300.
In your case, in addition to off-site parking options, I would recommend you consider various park-sleep-fly options. A quick search shows 1 night hotel near o'hare including 19 days of parking starting at about $150 and going up to about $300.
Feb 6, 2019, 12:14 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
In the winter, some offsite places will clear your car off and have it warmed up and ready to go when you get off the shuttle. I've even left my heavy coat in the car when flying to warmer places. But if you're flying in summer, not relevant.
Park-sleep-fly is another great option, depending on when your flight is departing (and when return flight is arriving).
Feb 6, 2019, 12:16 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 71
Traffic on Saturdays is generally not too bad. There are always exceptions.
In your case, in addition to off-site parking options, I would recommend you consider various park-sleep-fly options. A quick search shows 1 night hotel near o'hare including 19 days of parking starting at about $150 and going up to about $300.
In your case, in addition to off-site parking options, I would recommend you consider various park-sleep-fly options. A quick search shows 1 night hotel near o'hare including 19 days of parking starting at about $150 and going up to about $300.
Thank you for your comment.
