Taking off Travel blog

Chicago O’ Hare Airport is one of the busiest in the US, with more than 70 million people a year passing through its terminal doors. If you’re going to fly through there, then it pays to know what’s on offer when it comes to flights, amenities and parking.

Terminals And Airlines

O’Hare Airport uses four terminals, each with restaurants, shops, ATMs and business services. Most of the international carriers use Terminal 5, while other flights are routed through Terminals 1, 2 or 3. You can find the airport layout here (PDF).

Most domestic carriers and a wide range of international ones fly though O’Hare Airport. In general, the airline you travel with will determine your gate, though there are occasional exceptions. The normal boarding gates for airlines flying out of O’Hare are listed in this O’Hare airport guide.

Amenities

As well as the services listed above, O’Hare Airport has other useful amenities including:

• facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including a visual paging system and accessible transport between terminals.
• Taxi service
• Wi-fi internet and several power workstations where passengers can recharge electronic devices free of charge.
• Touchscreen virtual concierges

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Air travel is as popular as ever, but booking your flight is not the only thing you need to arrange when you travel. As more people travel and security increases, it gets harder and harder to find somewhere to park at the airport. Even when you do, it can be extremely costly and this is a time when people are looking to save money. One way to do that is with offsite airport parking.

1. Check The Location 

A good place to start with off airport parking is on the web. Don’t just book the first offsite airport facility you find. Instead, look for maps and directions to make sure that the facility you choose really will be convenient. It’s not always about distance from the airport, though. Sometimes an off airport parking lot that’s further away can work if there’s a good free shuttle service thrown in.

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Using offsite airport parking is one way to make sure that your car is safe while you travel. Using a secure parking lot means that your car is looked after, even if you are thousands of miles away. But not all offsite airport parking lots are a like. Here are some things to consider before you make your choice.

Airport Parking Safety

Choosing An Offsite Airport Parking Lot

Choose an offsite airport parking lot that is close to the terminal, so you won’t have to take a long walk in the middle of the night or early morning. This is a good way to ensure your personal safety when you travel. Read more »

 When planning a business trip, it’s not just a matter of booking accommodation and offsite airport parking. You also need to think about what you’re going to do when you get to your destination. Every country has different customs, so what works well in one might be totally out of the question in another. To do the business, you will need to think about the ABCs. Here they are:

Do you know the ABCs of international business etiquette?

Appearance

This is one of the most important. Appearance includes items such as your clothing, body language and gestures. For example, it’s important to know whether your new business colleagues will expect you to dress conservatively, formally or at the height of fashion. If you’re in Italy, for example, wearing unfashionable clothes may affect the way you are perceived. Western women doing business in the United Arab Emirates may need to dress more modestly than if they were at home. Watch out for gestures - it is easy to cause offence if you use the wrong ones. Read more »

Albany International Airport (ALB) has come a long way since its origins as the first municipal landing site for planes on a polo field three miles north of the city. The airport played host to many of the most famous aviators of the early 20th century, including Charles Lindbergh. These days, it is a busy commercial airport, with around 180 arrivals and departures each day. We’ve already looked at attractions around JFK and LaGuardia, but what do you do on a layover in Albany?

State Capitol Staircase, Albany, NY

Exploring History

One of the best things to do in Albany is to explore the city’s history. As the oldest surviving European settlement from the original 13 colonies, it has a lot to explore. Options include the Georgian home of Revolutionary War general Philip Schuyler, which dates from 1761 and includes 18th century furniture and art. The Albany Institute of History and Art is another must see. It is one of the oldest museums in the US and was founded in 1791.

From Shakers To Slater

The Shakers played a major role in the area’s history, including providing some of the land that became part of the airport. The Shaker Heritage Society preserves this history and offers you the chance to visit America’s first Shaker settlement - a 770 acre site. Explore history from a different perspective by visiting the USS Slater, a refurbished Cannon Class destroyer escort. Also worth a look when it’s reopened is Cherry Hill, which houses a collection amassed by the Van Rensselaer and Rankin families over 176 years.

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