Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) sits conveniently close to downtown - closer than O’Hare and with far fewer crowds. As Southwest Airlines’ major operating base, Midway connects travelers to approximately 80 domestic destinations and eight international ones. It’s Chicago’s second-largest airport, handling 22 million passengers yearly, but it offers a more user-friendly experience than its bigger sibling.
Terminals at Midway
Midway’s single terminal makes navigation straightforward. Three concourses (A, B and C) connect through a central check-in and security area, so you won’t need to shuttle between buildings or re-CLEAR security.
Concourse A primarily serves Southwest, while Concourse B handles a mix of carriers including Southwest, Delta, Allegiant and Avelo. Concourse C is the smallest, with Frontier operating from its gates.
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. The airport is compact enough, so if you arrive early, you’ll 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; this World War II battle gave the airport its name. Here you’ll find interactive displays about the battle, a memorial to fallen soldiers and a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber plane.
How to get to downtown Chicago from Midway
The train is a solid choice for getting to downtown Chicago from Midway. Chicago traffic can be brutal, and public transportation sidesteps those headaches entirely. That said, if you prefer the comfort of a car, taxis and rideshares are always available.
Public transportation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Orange Line terminates at Midway, offering direct service to downtown Chicago with easy transfers to other lines. The train terminal is a short walk from the airport terminal, mostly indoors or covered by walkways.
The ride to The Loop takes about 20-25 minutes. The Orange Line doesn’t run 24 hours, though - if you’re traveling late at night, take the N62 Archer bus instead. Its overnight Owl service connects Midway with downtown.
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 just outside of the airport terminal.
Driving to downtown Chicago from Midway can be quick in light traffic, but rush hour often causes significant delays. Taxis are metered, while rideshare services are priced dynamically, so traffic-delayed rides might rack up high fares. Midway also offers a Shared Ride Taxi program with flat per-person fares - for example, $18 to downtown or $35 to O’Hare - when multiple parties share a trip, though availability depends on demand.
Security wait times at Midway
Midway generally has shorter security lines than O’Hare, though wait times still vary by time of day and season. Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available if you want to speed through even faster - TSA PreCheck gives you a dedicated line, while CLEAR offers the quickest passage through security.
Alternative airports in Chicago
If you’re flying internationally or want more airline choices, O’Hare may be your better bet - it’s a major international hub serving over 215 nonstop destinations compared to Midway’s approximately 88. The tradeoff? O’Hare tends to have far more congestion. It’s located northwest of the city center.
Lounges at Midway
Midway has limited lounge options compared to O’Hare, but you’ve got a few places to relax before your flight. The Club MDW is the main lounge, open to all passengers for a fee - Priority Pass members get in free. Active-duty military personnel, Guard and Reserve members and their dependents can use the USO Center, with retirees admitted on a space-available basis.
Things to do during a layover at Midway
Southwest operates as a major base at Midway, so layovers here are common. Your options depend on how much time you’ve got - shorter layovers mean staying put in the terminal, while extended ones give you time for Chicago sightseeing.
Less than four hours
With less than four hours, stay within the airport terminal. Midway has numerous restaurants, bars and shops - eating and drinking can pass the time quickly. Wander the concourses to check out displays from Chicago’s Public Art Program.
Four to six hours
There’s not much to do near Midway, so a four- to six-hour layover makes leaving the airport difficult. Your move is grabbing lounge access - see the “Lounges at Midway” section above for details on The Club MDW.
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 20-25 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)
The two airports are on opposite sides of Chicago, and there are several connections available. A car is the quick and convenient way to travel between the airports, whether that’s a taxi or a rideshare, though travel times vary significantly with traffic.
Public transportation is also an option for traveling between Midway and O’Hare. You can take the CTA Orange Line from Midway to the Loop, then transfer to the Blue Line. CTA fares allow up to two free transfers within two hours, so you can make the journey on a single fare. The total travel time varies depending on transfer timing and train schedules.
How to get to Chicago attractions from Midway
Many of Chicago’s main attractions are located downtown, which you can easily access 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 20-25 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 on Chicago’s lakefront. 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. Journey times vary depending on transfer timing and traffic conditions.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is located on Chicago’s North Side. 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. Journey times vary depending on routing and traffic conditions.
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.
