ORDAirport Guide

Where to buy a SIM card at O'Hare

O'Hare's map marks SIM cards at the Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 baggage claims and past security in Terminals 1 and 3. It names no seller or price.

The wide terrazzo walkway of Concourse M in Terminal 5 at O'Hare, along the line of shops.
Concourse M, Terminal 5

SIM cards show up on O’Hare’s map in Terminals 1, 3 and 5, and not in Terminal 2. International travelers clear customs at Terminal 5, and it has two points on the baggage claim level, before security. The map names no seller and gives no price or hours, so free Wi-Fi is your connection until you find one.

Where the map marks SIM cards

Terminal Where Side of security
Terminal 5 Baggage claim, two points Before
Terminal 3 Baggage claim Before
Terminal 3 Near Gate H9 After
Terminal 3 Near Gate K12 After
Terminal 1 Near Gate C23 After

Check on the spot what each one sells, because the map doesn’t say.

Terminal 5 shops that sell chargers and electronics

These Terminal 5 shops sell chargers and electronics. Whether any of them stocks SIM cards isn’t published, so ask at the counter.

Shop Where Hours Side of security
Hudson Baggage claim 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Before
EVOLVE by Hudson Gate M14 Open 24 hours After
Brookstone Gate M11 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. After
InMotion Gate M30 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. After
Hudson Gate M18 and Gate M20 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. After

Sound and Mobile Accessories is also past security in Terminal 5, on the Departures and Check-In level. The directory lists it only as a shop, with no gate or hours, so ask what it carries.

How Wi-Fi covers you when you land

The airport says free, unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout all terminals, before and after security. That includes Terminal 5’s baggage claim, which is before security. You pick one of the two network names the airport lists, load a new address that isn’t https, and choose Watch Ad to Connect. The Wi-Fi page has the names and the customer care number.

The airport’s pages don’t mention roaming, data plans or any carrier’s service.

Sources