Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at O'Hare International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
Travelex operates currency exchange at Terminal 5 (international) near international arrivals baggage claim and pre-security departures. ICE kiosks are also in the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 connector areas.
Travelex booths at ORD typically charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. Terminal 5 booths serve high volumes of international arrivals and do not negotiate rates on smaller transactions.
ATMs are throughout Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal 5. Chase and Bank of America ATMs are concentrated at terminal entrances and near the ATS underground connector. Terminal 5 has ATMs near the customs exit corridor.
ORD ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Schwab, Wise, or Revolut cards eliminate all fees at any ATM in the terminal.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for ORD
Use an ATM with a no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) and decline any offered currency conversion at the ATM. Airport exchange booths charge 15-20% above the real rate.
Pro Tip
In Terminal 5's international arrivals corridor, the exchange booths are placed before the ATMs — walk to the ATM bank further into the baggage claim hall to get the real exchange rate rather than the booth spread.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at ORD airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at O'Hare International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at ORD airport?
ATMs are throughout Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal 5. Chase and Bank of America ATMs are concentrated at terminal entrances and near the ATS underground connector. Terminal 5 has ATMs near the customs exit corridor. ORD ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Schwab, Wise, or Revolut cards eliminate all fees at any ATM in the terminal.
Which currency exchange is at ORD airport?
Travelex operates currency exchange at Terminal 5 (international) near international arrivals baggage claim and pre-security departures. ICE kiosks are also in the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 connector areas. Travelex booths at ORD typically charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. Terminal 5 booths serve high volumes of international arrivals and do not negotiate rates on smaller transactions.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at ORD?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around ORD airport · Live ORD TSA wait times
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