Chicago Airport
- O'Hare -
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Past Worst Airport Winner
Lasting Impressions....
"I believe it would be easier to sleep in the engine of a plane than to sleep in this place." (Derek Blice)
"Great Airport. Now should be included in top ten airports! " (?)
"The restrooms smelled like a skunk marinated in urine and vomit. " (Tim)
"My flight got canceled and I had to spend the night at the airport. That's how most O'Hare stories begin." - hozomeen
"My only complaint is that I had to find the cots by chance. At the airline counter earlier no one mentioned it." - CourtesyPhone
Good times
by kclibby
I have only one comment - O'Hare has a chapel on the second floor above the ticketing area. I slept on the floor under a pew in there one night. Only one person came in all night, and he did not bother me. It was truly a sanctuary for a weary traveler. If I ever travel through O'Hare alone again, I would sleep here for sure.
Not a bad place, but not great either
by the-tine
Method to the Madness:
This airport wasn't built to hold the sleepy traveler - and you can tell. Cursd arm rests prevent anyone from fully reclining...
BUT BUT BUT if you arrive at your gate early enough, you can snag a row of armrest-free chairs and catch some ZZZs. That's what I did for my US Airways flight.
Ins and Outs of Airport:
I stayed here from 3am-ish to 7am - about half a night. I slept for maybe 2 hours or so. The airport is clean and well designed. Very intuitive. I remember seeing signs for a prayer room, but the entrance was blocked off.
Security was somewhat present, but not intrusive. I felt perfectly safe.
Announcements are few and far between :)
Amenities:
Plenty of eats here. I grabbed a banana across a from the gate for breakfast.
Can't attest to the cleanliness of the bathrooms. Don't remember using them.
Overall, several steps below a hotel, but fairly decent for an airport.
Um, you may want to rethink sleeping in this place
by hozomeen
What was the thinking when a major hub for the US was put in Chicago? Are constant delays due to icy weather somehow profitable to someone in the airport business?
My flight got canceled and I had to spend the night at the airport. That's how most O'Hare stories begin. I walked around for 30 minutes looking for a place to sleep. Nothing. Most people who had also gotten stuck there (you know, about half the people with flights that day) were all lying on the floor around their terminals. I found no chairs without armrests. So I found a spot and laid down. The only places to do this are next to the windows, so it gets extremely cold. To help you out with this airport staff come by and put a small, thin blanket on the floor next to you. It's almost as thin as a sheet. Thankfully I had a jacket on, but even with it zipped up and my arms inside and the sheet on top of me I was shivering all night. I think I'll try sleeping on a toilet next time. A minor victory: I stole that crappy blanket. Thanks O'Hare!
Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the reviews on the next page for the most up-to-date info:
- business centre open 24 hours
- internet
- large leather back chairs with armrests at gates
- clean washrooms (in most cases)
- cold at night
