Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is Chicago’s second-largest airport, located just 11 miles from downtown. Midway, a major hub for Southwest Airlines, flies to more than 75 domestic destinations and eight international ones. Though the airport is smaller than O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in terms of number of flights, Midway offers a user-friendly experience that lacks the crowds you'll find at O'Hare. That said, it's still a busy airport! Some 22 million passengers fly through Midway every year.
Terminals at Midway
Midway has a single terminal building divided into three concourses: A, B and C. The terminal is compact and easy to navigate, with all concourses accessible from the central check-in and security area. Concourse A primarily serves Southwest, while Concourse B serves a mix of carriers, including Southwest, Delta and Allegiant. Concourse C comprises just three gates used by Frontier and Avelo.
Despite its smaller size, Midway offers a variety of dining and shopping options throughout the terminal, including local Chicago favorites like Billy Goat Tavern, Arami and Nuts on Clark. It only takes about 20 minutes to walk the airport end-to-end, so if you arrive to the airport early, you should have plenty of time to visit the restaurant, bar or shop of your choice, no matter which concourse it's in.
I'd also recommend taking a moment to visit the Battle of Midway exhibit, located near the entrance of Concourse A; the airport was named for this World War II battle. Here you'll find interactive displays about the battle, a memorial to fallen soldiers and a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber plane.
The best way to get to downtown Chicago from Midway
It's quite easy to get to downtown Chicago from Midway, particularly via public transportation. Since traffic plays a big role in getting around Chicago, it's best to avoid any issues by taking the train. But if you'd prefer the comfort of a car, that's always an option, too.
Public transportation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Orange Line terminates at Midway; you can take this train directly to downtown Chicago, where you can easily transfer to other lines. It's a short walk to the train terminal from the airport terminal, most of which is indoors or at the very least protected from the elements via covered walkways. It takes about 25-30 minutes to reach The Loop in downtown Chicago.
The Orange Line train doesn't run 24 hours per day, though. If you find yourself looking to get to or from Midway when the trains aren't running late at night, take the N62 Archer bus instead. Its overnight Owl service connects Midway with downtown Chicago, and the ride takes about an hour.
Driving, taxis and rideshares
If you plan on driving around the greater Chicago area, you can rent a car at Midway. But it's easy to navigate Chicago via public transportation, so a rental car might not be necessary. Taxis and rideshares, including Uber and Lyft, can be found out just outside of the airport terminal.
Driving to downtown Chicago from Midway takes around 20 to 30 minutes without traffic, but rush hour can double or triple that drive time. Taxis are metered, while rideshare services are priced dynamically, so traffic-delayed rides might rack up high fares. There are also shared shuttle services you can book. They can't avoid traffic, but they're cheaper than taking a taxi or rideshare.
Security wait times at Midway
Midway generally has shorter security lines than O’Hare, but wait times can still vary depending on the time of day and the season. To expedite the security process, Midway offers TSA PreCheck, which allows eligible passengers to use a dedicated, faster security line. Additionally, CLEAR is available at Midway for even quicker passage through airport security.
Alternative airports in Chicago
While Midway is a convenient choice for many travelers, Chicago's main airport is O’Hare, located about 15 miles northwest of the city center or about 25 miles from Midway. As a major international hub, O’Hare offers a wider range of both domestic and international flight options than Midway. So if you’re flying internationally or prefer more airline choices, O’Hare may be a better option, though it tends to have far more congestion than Midway.
Things to do during a layover at Midway
Many Southwest passengers have layovers at Midway, since the airline operates a hub here. Depending on how long your layover is, you have various options to occupy your time. For shorter layovers, it's advisable to stay within the airport. But if you have extended layovers, you might have some time to do a little sightseeing in Chicago.
Less than four hours
With less than four hours, your best option is to stay within the airport terminal. Midway has numerous restaurants and bars, as well as a handful of shops; eating and drinking can always pass the time quickly! Visit the Battle of Midway exhibit, then wander the concourses to take a look at displays from Chicago's Public Art Program. There's also a yoga room, which is a delightfully peaceful spot.
Four to six hours
There's not much to do in the vicinity of Midway, so if you have a four- to six-hour layover, it'll be difficult to leave the airport. At this point, I'd recommend paying for access to the Club at MDW, a lounge that's open to all passengers, so long as there's space available. You can make your reservation online in advance to guarantee a spot.
Six or more hours
For longer layovers, you have enough time to venture into downtown Chicago. The CTA Orange Line can get you to the city center in about 30 minutes, where you can explore popular attractions like Millennium Park (home of the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as "The Bean"), the Art Institute of Chicago or the Field Museum of Natural History. Just make sure to leave plenty of time to return to the airport.
How to get from Midway (MDW) to O'Hare (ORD)
Midway and O’Hare are about 25 miles apart, and there are several connections available. The quickest and most convenient way to travel between the airports is by car, whether that's a taxi or a rideshare. If there's no traffic, it'll take as little as 30 minutes. For a more cost-effective option, several private shuttle services also offer direct transfers between Midway and O’Hare; you'll need to book these in advance.
Public transportation is also an option for traveling between Midway and O'Hare. You can take the CTA Orange Line from Midway to the Clark/Lake station in The Loop, then transfer to the Blue Line. You can do so with just a single train fare. The total travel time is around 90 minutes to two hours, so it's not a particularly fast journey.
How to get to Chicago attractions from Midway
Many of Chicago's main attractions are located downtown, which is most easily accessed via the CTA Orange Line from Midway. You might have to transfer to another train line or a bus to get to your final destination. Or you can always take a taxi or rideshare!
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is about 12 miles from Midway. The CTA Orange Line offers a convenient route, taking about 25 minutes to get from the airport to Adams/Wabash Station, just a short walk from the park. By taxi or rideshare, it takes around 20 minutes without traffic.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s top tourist attractions, is located about 12 miles from Midway. You can take the CTA Orange Line to State/Lake Station and transfer to the #124 or #29 bus, which takes you directly to Navy Pier. The journey time is about an hour. By car, it takes about 25 minutes without traffic.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is about 15 miles north of Midway. The easiest way to get there is by taking the CTA Orange Line to a stop within The Loop, then taking a bus northbound; there are various route options, all of which should take about an hour. By car or rideshare, it takes around 30 minutes.
Lounges at Midway
Midway has limited lounge options compared to O’Hare, but there are still a few places to relax before your flight. The Club by MDW is the main lounge at Midway, and it's open to all passengers for a fee. Priority Pass members can enter for free. There's also the USO Lounge for active-duty military personnel and veterans.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
