Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at O'Hare International Airport
Rideshare pickup at ORD is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at ORD
UUber Pickup Zone
Terminal 2 Departures level — Zone A (outside Lobby 2A), Zone B (outside Lobby 2A), Zone C (outside Lobby 2B), Zone D (outside Lobby 2E)
LLyft Pickup Zone
Terminal 2 Departures level — same color-coded Zones A–D as Uber
In the app
Select 'Terminal 2' in the app; match the color-coded zone shown (Black A, Blue B, Orange C, or Green D) to your driver's instructions
How to find the rideshare zone
From any terminal arrival, follow inter-terminal walkway or shuttle signs to Terminal 2, then go up to the Departures level and look for color-coded zone signs (Black A, Blue B, Orange C, Green D).
Cell Phone Lot
The Cell Phone Lot is at 560 Bessie Coleman Drive (corner of Bessie Coleman Dr & I-190) — follow signs from any airport approach road; 3–5 min to Terminal 2. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at ORD
When surge peaks: Surge peaks Friday 4–8pm, Sunday 4–8pm, and during storms that cause flight delays and compressed arrivals; Bears game days at Soldier Field add downtown congestion spillover.
Wait tip
All rideshare was consolidated from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2; in bad weather use the indoor waiting area between Lobbies 2A and 2D before requesting your ride.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at ORD including rental cars and public transit, see the ORD Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for ORD
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →