O’Hare and Amtrak to Set New Thanksgiving Travel Records, Highlighting Chicago’s Tourism Appeal

Published on November 26, 2025

Projected figures from O’Hare International Airport confirm predictions for Thanksgiving week 2025 will set new travel records with 1.63752 million travelers passing through from Nov 24 – Dec 1. O’Hare should expect the busiest week of Thanksgiving travel in the last 70 years. According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, it will be an almost 10% increase from last year, 9.5 expectancy from 2024. This will be Thanksgiving, Travel disruptions the USA is still experiencing after COVID. Increasing demand for both International and Domestic travel will make Thanksgiving week travel 2025 one for the books.

Amtrak stations will be expectieve at Thanksgiving week and increase sponsorship of train services. Train travel is one of the preferred travel options due to the time to do for more relaxing activities instead of just waiting for departure. This growing demand on the train services from O’Hare and Amtrak stations confirms the importance of Travel in the USA. This demand confirms it to be one of the most anticipated Travel Weeks of the year.

Surge in O’Hare Holiday Season Passage

During the Thanksgiving holiday period, O’Hare International Airport, one of the most heavily trafficked domestic terminals, has attracted holiday passengers flying to and from Chicago. Due to the high demand for air travel, with the holiday school recess and accompanying family travels, the airline for the period has was scheduled to accommodate a high volume of air passengers at O’Hare. This demand has O’Hare preparing for a surge of passengers from and to the airline terminals.

The increase in air passengers at O’Hare reflects the buoyant domestic travel demand. The executive data drives growing trends in domestic travel to large destinations, and in Chicago in particular, as the U. S. economy recovers and air passengers seek to reconnect, after several years of limited travel, with family and friends. O‘Hare’s principal air carriers have scheduled additional flights to major holiday travel cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Amid a vibrant cultural scene, iconic skyline, and deep-dish pizza, Chicago’s multitude of attractions draws visitors for a multitude of activities, including sightseeing, shopping, and cultural engagements. Chicago hosts world-renowned museums, vibrant holiday markets, and the famous Magnificent Mile, decked in glittering lights for the holiday season.

Amtrak Holiday Week Record Ridership

Air travel should be robust, just as it Amtrak, during Thanksgiving. Amtrak’s increasing traveler numbers illustrate a preference for rail travel over the airport and highway congestion. Amtrak’s over 500 destinations make for a convenient and scenic travel option, especially for those traveling to small cities and regional destinations.

Amtrak is popular among families, older guests, and those travelers looking for a relaxed journey, with opportunities to move around, enjoy onboard amenities, and take in the scenery. Increasing Amtrak ridership reflects a growing trend in U.S. tourism, with rail travel being a preferred option for eco-conscious and comfortable travel. the Empire Builder, Cardinal, and California Zephyr routes, indicative of the trend, will be in even greater demand around Thanksgiving, as travelers look to bypass the stress of air travel.

Tourism Impact and Economic Benefits

The increase in travelers at O’Hare and Amtrak stations provides a boost to Chicago’s tourism industry. Chicago’s tourism sector generates billions in annual revenue and will benefit from the increased activity in its terminals. During the holiday season, travelers will have the opportunity to explore the city, and local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, will experience increased demand.

Due to O’Hare’s closeness to downtown Chicago, it gives the airport the utmost importance as a takeoff point both for business and leisure. Chicago’s events and conventions, as well as the Thanksgiving holidays, lure a combination of tourists and business travelers. Since air and rail travels are closely tied to regional tourism, the ease in travel to Chicago’s major attractions enhances its appeal further.

For Amtrak, the holidays not only give them a surge in revenue, but also allows them to showcase the advantages of switching to a more train-based travel system. The more travelers see the comfort and convenience Amtrak provides, more likely they are to travel with the company, thus allowing for greater word of mouth advertisement. The Thanksgiving holiday period in 2025 will be instrumental, as rail travel in the U.S. is in direct competition with low-cost airline tickets and a variety of other means of travel.

Thanksgiving Week Travel Tips

Airport and Amtrack both anticipate record-high amounts of travelers this Thanksgiving Week. Advanced planning becomes crucial. Since the lines at the airport and train stations will surely be longer than usual, and since there will be all sorts of flight and train delays, travelers will be best served by arriving as early as they can. During peak travel times, ticket booking becomes an absolute must to help avoid overspending.

After arriving, air travel passengers can mitigate the times of the lines to some extent by using online check-in. Mobile flight apps can provide valuable information and updates before and during the flight. Unfortunately, Amtrack passengers will have lines as well. Advanced booking can help mitigate the number of lines, as well as the possibility of arriving to a train that is full. Amtrack trains can be kept comfortable, as they have various classes that include seating, Wi-Fi, and food services.

Conclusion

The continuous development of the U.S. tourism industry, and particularly domestic travel, is reflected in the record-breaking travel activity over Thanksgiving at O’Hare and Amtrak stations. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, and tourism industry professionals can expect increased demand with the travel week. As the busiest week of the year approaches, Amtrak and O’Hare are preparing for a successful Thanksgiving, with tourism and transportation in the center of Chicago’s thriving holiday economy.