Domestic ~2 hours; international ~3 hours; T5 connections need the bus clock or a second TSA screening.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are the useful domestic shortcuts. Peak security is typically 07:00–09:00 and 15:00–18:00. International arrivals into T5 can take 30–60+ minutes through CBP on a busy bank. Same-day T5↔T1/T3 connections should use the Terminal Transfer Bus only while it is running (11:30–21:30); overnight connections exit and re-clear via ATS.

T1 United, T3 American / BA departures, T5 international arrivals + Delta / foreign-flag — ATS links them all.

United is T1 with overflow into T2. American and BA/Iberia/Aer Lingus departures are T3. Delta and most foreign-flag departures plus all international arrivals are T5. British Airways moved departures to T3 on 25 April 2024 — arrivals still use T5. Screenshot the terminal in the airline app before you instruct a rideshare.

T1/T3 win on everyday food; T5 is a lounge-or-markup problem.

Giordano's / Lou Malnati's-class Chicago pizza still lives in the domestic terminals. T5 has more international brands but weaker value. If you hold Priority Pass and are actually departing T5, use Air France (outside the noon lockout), Wingtips, or Swissport instead of a full sit-down.

Three T5 PP rooms; Air France noon lockout; no Maple Leaf / BA / Emirates rooms.

Open Priority Pass the day you fly. Air France Lounge is the strongest PP room but lists a hard 12:00–17:00 cardholder lockout. Wingtips (M19, 09:00–22:00) is the midday fallback. Swissport (M13, 07:00–00:00) is basic and often capacity-restricted 15:00–20:30. United Club / Polaris and Admirals Club / Flagship are airline products, not PP. There is no Air Canada Maple Leaf or dedicated BA / Emirates lounge at ORD.