Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is Chicago’s second busiest airport after O'Hare International Airport (ORD). It is one of Illinois' main airports and an important hub for domestic travel within the USA.
Midway Airport is located 12 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. In 2024, It handled 21.5 million passengers, making it one of the top 30 airports in the USA.
Major Airlines - Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines
Midway is an operating base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the passengers at the airport. It offers scheduled flights to over 60 domestic destinations and more seasonal flights to tourism hotspots in the US.
The second largest airline at the airport is Frontier Airlines which also flies only within the USA, mostly to destinations in the south of the country.
Other American airlines operating at the airport include Allegiant Air and Delta Air Lines.
Internationally, Porter Airlines has scheduled flights to Toronto Billy-Bishop Airport and Volaris operates regular flights to 6 Mexican cities.
To see all the airlines at Midway Airport, click here.
Terminal Layout of MDW
Midway Airport features a single terminal building with three protruding but interconnected concourses:
Concourse A: Handles international arrivals from Mexico and Canada. Has a total of 17 gates.
Concourse B: Serves most of the domestic flights from its 23 gates. It has most of the restaurants and food kiosks.
Concourse C: Accommodates additional domestic flights. It has just 3 gates.
You can walk between the concourse on foot and distances are not large by any means. From one end of the terminal to the other, it would take you no more than 10 minutes of walking.
Discover all destinations you can reach from Midway Airport.
Connecting Flights and Transit at MDW
Given the small size and compact layout transfers between gates are relatively easy.
If you arrive on a domestic flight, you can access all concourses without clearing the security checkpoint, so you can go directly to your new gate, assuming you’re already checked in for your flight.
If you have a connecting flight via two different carriers, you will likely have to go through Security, re-check for your flight, and re-enter for your next flight. Contact your airline(s) for specific information.
Wi-Fi at Midway Airport
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. The two free networks are called “Boingo Hotspot” and “_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi”.
After you select either of the two networks, open your browser and it will automatically load the welcome page. You may have to watch an ad to connect.
Dining Options at Midway Airport
Midway offers a good variety of places to eat and drink across its concourses. The selection consists mostly of local brands and big American chains.
The Central Market area is the place where many of the restaurants, eateries, and vending machines are concentrated, though you will find additional places in the concourses themselves.
Here are some of the best places to eat at Midway Airport:
America’s Dog & Burger: Classic American fast food and breakfast options made with quality ingredients. Find it in the Central Market.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese: Located in the Central Market, this cafe serves favorites like Mac & Cheese, grilled sandwiches, and salads.
Big Bowl: The place to visit for Chinese cuisine in the Central Market.
Big Shoulders Coffee: Located near Gate 15 in Concourse A, this coffee shop offers a great array of hot and cold coffee options.
Hubbard Inn: A Chicago favorite, this bar serves cocktails and simple meals in an old-timey decor. Find it near Gate B7 in Concourse B.
Farmer's Fridge - Vending Machine: Since Concourse C is quite small and doesn’t have restaurants, you may have to go for the vending machine near Gate C1. Worry not as it makes meals from scratch, including a full serving of fruits and veggies.
Lounges at Midway Airport
Midway Airport’s main VIP lounge is The Club MDW, located in the main area of the airport near the Central Market, right after the Security checkpoint.
It is available to holders of Priority Pass and certain credit cards, and for anyone who wants to purchase a day pass.
The lounge offers breakfast, a lunch buffet, and a cocktail bar, though the highlight for most is the floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the runway. It’s open from 4 AM until 10 PM.
The USO also operates a small lounge/bar in Concourse C. Open to servicemen, retirees, and their families, it offers a cozy place to relax and grab a drink before your flight.
Transportation to and from Midway International Airport
Midway is not too far from the center of Chicago and is well-connected to the downtown areas, as well as other places in the region.
The Orange Line of the Chicago Transit Authority (locally known as the “L”) has a stop at MDW and provides direct service between the airport and downtown Chicago. The trains take about 20-25 minutes to reach the center. Follow the signs “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” to reach the station.
These trains operate between 4 AM and 1 AM. During the night, an alternative overnight ("owl") service is available via the N62 Archer bus.
Other than the train, there are more than 10 bus lines and Pace buses that connect the airport with places in Downtown Chicago and the suburbs.
Taxis are also available at Midway Airport. You can take one right outside of the Arrivals area on the Lower Level Inner Lane (use Door 2). A trip to Downtown Chicago will set you back around 35-45 USD. To reduce cost, opt for a shared ride service to share a taxi with other passengers going in the same direction. Prices for this service are fixed per person (18 USD to Downtown).
You can also call a ridesharing taxi via Uber or Lyft. Their designated pickup areas are on the lower level of Arrivals near Door 4.
Last but not least, you can book a private transfer for convenience and peace of mind.
Parking at MDW
Midway Airport offers a few different parking lots which can be summarized as follows:
- Terminal Parking: Located right next to the terminal, this parking lot is split into hourly and daily sections:
Hourly Section: Located on Level 1 it costs 4 USD per hour with a max daily rate of 67 USD.
Daily Section: Levels 2-6. While the hourly rate is the same (4 USD), the daily rate is significantly cheaper at just 43 USD/day.
Daily Lot: Temporarily closed but otherwise a good option for long-term parking with a dedicated shuttle bus to the terminal.
Economy Parking: Located a bit further away from the terminal but it offers a complimentary shuttle service and very affordable parking rates. The first hour costs 4 USD and the daily rate is just 15 USD. Here you can also find electric vehicle charging stations on the first level near the east elevators.
Payments are made to the cashier upon exiting the lots using either cash or card. You can pre-book your desired parking lot on the official Midway Parking website.
Hotels
No hotels are located inside the airport or within its grounds. Most nearby hotels are concentrated in an area between W 65th St. and W 67th St.
There you have a choice of budget and premium hotels, known international brands, and smaller chains. Here are some of the hotels near Midway Airport:
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway Airport: Offers a shuttle service to the airport. Nice rooms and affordable prices.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago-Midway Airport: Providing complimentary breakfast and shuttle services. Perhaps the best budget option near Midway.
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Midway Airport: A more modern hotel with premium features and newly remodeled rooms. Also offers shuttle services to the terminal.
Chicago, IL, USA
