After a long international flight, the last thing anyone wants is confusion at the curb. Terminal 5 is O’Hare’s international arrivals hub, and it can feel busy and unfamiliar, especially after an overnight flight, a long customs line and a jet-lagged walk to baggage claim.
A pre-booked chauffeur removes the guesswork. This guide explains how O’Hare Terminal 5 pickup car service works: why so many international flights arrive at Terminal 5, how long customs can take, where your chauffeur meets you and how to make the handoff smooth for yourself, your family, your clients or your executives.
Most international flights into O’Hare arrive at Terminal 5, where the customs facility is located, even on some airlines that depart from other terminals. With meet and greet service, your chauffeur tracks your flight, waits inside the terminal near baggage claim with a name sign and walks you to the vehicle. With curbside pickup, you call after collecting your bags and meet the vehicle at the designated pickup area on the lower level. Customs time varies widely, so the chauffeur plans around your actual landing and progress, not just the scheduled arrival time.
Arriving internationally at O’Hare? Call (786) 786-7799 or book your pickup online.
Why Most International Flights Arrive at Terminal 5
Terminal 5 houses O’Hare’s main international arrivals and customs facilities, which is why most international arrivals are processed there. Delta also operates from Terminal 5, along with many international airlines.
There are two important exceptions to know:
- Flights from preclearance airports. Some flights, such as many from Canada and Ireland, clear U.S. customs before departure. These arrive like domestic flights and may use a different terminal.
- Your departure terminal is not always your arrival terminal. A traveler who flew out of one terminal may land at Terminal 5 on the way home because that is where customs is processed.
Always share your flight number. We use it to confirm the arrival terminal and track your flight in real time, so you do not need to know which terminal you will land at.
How Long Does It Take to Get Out of Terminal 5?
The time between landing and reaching your car depends on several steps. Each one can be quick or slow depending on the day.
| Step | What Happens | What Affects the Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi to the gate | The aircraft parks at a Terminal 5 gate or a remote stand | Gate availability and airfield traffic |
| Deplaning | Passengers leave the aircraft | Seat location and aircraft size |
| Passport control | Immigration processing | Number of flights landing at once, Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control |
| Baggage claim | Collecting checked bags | Number of bags and how quickly they are unloaded |
| Customs exit | Final check and exit into the arrivals area | Items to declare and secondary inspection |
| Walk to the vehicle | To the meeting point or the pickup lane | Meet and greet versus curbside pickup |
On a quiet day, the process can be fairly quick. When several wide-body flights land together, lines at passport control can grow long. That is why we plan pickups around your actual arrival and your progress through the terminal, rather than a fixed time.
Ways to Speed It Up
- Global Entry lets eligible travelers use expedited processing.
- Mobile Passport Control allows eligible travelers to submit information through an app before reaching the officer.
- Carry-on only skips the baggage claim wait entirely.
- Sit near the front of the aircraft to deplane earlier.
Where Your Chauffeur Meets You
There are two ways to meet your chauffeur at Terminal 5. Choose based on how much help you want.
| Meet and Greet | Curbside Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you meet | Inside the terminal, near baggage claim | At the designated pickup area on the lower level |
| How you find them | Chauffeur holds a sign with your name | You call or text after collecting your bags |
| Luggage help | Chauffeur helps from inside the terminal | Chauffeur helps at the vehicle |
| Best for | First-time visitors, families, executives, elderly travelers, heavy luggage | Frequent travelers who know the airport |
| Waiting outside | None; you are walked to the vehicle | A short wait while the vehicle comes to the pickup area |
Learn more on our meet and greet service page, or read airport meet and greet service explained.
How Meet and Greet Works Step by Step
- We track your flight and see when it lands.
- Your chauffeur waits inside the terminal near baggage claim with a sign showing your name.
- You text or call once you are through passport control, so the chauffeur knows you are close.
- You meet, collect your bags and the chauffeur helps with luggage.
- You walk together to the vehicle, which is parked nearby.
How Curbside Pickup Works
- Collect your bags and exit customs.
- Call or text your chauffeur.
- Head to the designated pickup area on the lower level.
- Your chauffeur pulls up, loads your luggage and you are on your way.
Airport rules require pre-arranged vehicles to pick up only in designated areas, and it can take several minutes for the vehicle to reach the pickup lane after you call. Meet and greet avoids that wait.
Wait Times: What to Expect
Because international arrivals are less predictable than domestic ones, waiting is part of planning. Here is how we handle it:
- Flight tracking. If your flight lands early or late, your pickup adjusts automatically.
- Customs-aware timing. We plan around the time it realistically takes to clear Terminal 5, not just touchdown.
- Clear communication. Your chauffeur’s contact details are shared before arrival so you can stay in touch.
- Ask about wait time when booking. Included waiting time and any extended wait charges are confirmed with your reservation, so there are no surprises.
See our cancellation policy and how much airport limo service costs in Chicago.
Tips for a Smooth Terminal 5 Pickup
- Book with your flight number, not just the time.
- Turn your phone on as soon as you land and connect to airport Wi-Fi if you do not have an international plan.
- Text when you clear passport control so your chauffeur knows you are close.
- Tell us about extra luggage, car seats or oversized items in advance so we send the right vehicle.
- Booking for someone else? Share their name exactly as it should appear on the sign and their mobile number.
- Traveling as a group? Agree on one meeting point so no one gets separated after customs.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
| Traveler | Recommended Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Solo business traveler | Black car sedan |
| Family with several large suitcases | Luxury SUV |
| Executives or VIP guests | Mercedes S-Class |
| Delegations, teams or tour groups | Sprinter van |
Browse our full fleet or read the fleet vehicle guide.
Corporate and Group Arrivals
Companies hosting international clients, executives or teams often need several pickups coordinated across different flights. We can track multiple arrivals, assign chauffeurs to each and handle transfers to downtown hotels, Rosemont or meetings across the suburbs. Explore our corporate limo service and group transportation.
For more airport tips, read our guide to O’Hare International Airport and O’Hare airport transportation tips.
Land, clear customs and walk straight to your car.
Book a Terminal 5 pickup with flight tracking and meet and greet service.
Call (786) 786-7799 Book NowPrefer email? Contact our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all international flights arrive at O’Hare Terminal 5?
Most do, because Terminal 5 is where customs processing takes place. Flights from airports with U.S. preclearance arrive like domestic flights and may use another terminal. Share your flight number and we will confirm.
Where will my chauffeur meet me at Terminal 5?
With meet and greet service, your chauffeur waits inside the terminal near baggage claim with a sign showing your name. With curbside pickup, you meet the vehicle at the designated pickup area on the lower level.
How long does customs take at O’Hare?
It varies with the number of flights landing at the same time, whether you have Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control and how long baggage takes. We plan around your actual progress, not a fixed time.
What if my international flight is delayed?
We track your flight in real time and adjust your pickup automatically, whether it lands early or late.
Is waiting time included?
Included waiting time and any extended wait charges are confirmed when you book, so you know the terms before your trip.
Can you pick up guests or clients arriving from overseas?
Yes. Share the traveler’s name, flight number and mobile number. Your chauffeur meets them inside with a name sign and keeps you updated.
Can you handle several international arrivals for a group?
Yes. We coordinate multiple pickups across different flights and send the right vehicles for each arrival.
Make Your Terminal 5 Arrival Easy
International arrivals are the hardest part of many trips. With O’Hare Terminal 5 pickup car service, your flight is tracked, your chauffeur is waiting and your ride is ready when you clear customs.
See our O’Hare limo service. Super Limo Service provides airport transportation across Chicago and the suburbs. Call (786) 786-7799 to book.