# Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

> Chicago, US · 19 km (12 mi) from the Loop business district

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/mdw
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/mdw.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: MDW
- **ICAO**: KMDW
- **Timezone**: America/Chicago
- **Runways**: 5
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 22.0M/yr
- **Hub for**: Southwest Airlines
- **Official site**: https://www.flychicago.com/midway/home/pages/default.aspx

## Overview

## Welcome

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is more like a dense urban transit hub than a sprawling aviation giant, thanks to its compact size and heavy Southwest Airlines presence. Located just 19 km from the Loop business district, it's connected directly by the CTA Orange Line, making it a quick and cost-effective choice for travelers. While its footprint is small, meaning quicker terminal navigation, it still carries echoes of a bygone era with limited power outlets in older gate areas.

## At a glance

Midway handles around 22 million passengers each year, primarily serviced by Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Allegiant Air. With only one Main Terminal housing 43 gates, it's far from overwhelming but can be cramped, especially during peak times. The airport is often selected over O'Hare specifically for its efficient access to downtown Chicago via the CTA Orange Line, which costs just $2.50 per ride and takes roughly 25–30 minutes.

## Terminals & layout

The Main Terminal at Midway consists of three concourses (A, B, Central Market) built around a central hub, making gate transfers straightforward. If your gate area becomes overcrowded, it's possible to traverse the entire terminal in about 10 minutes. However, travelers often note cramped conditions and a lack of power outlets, particularly in Concourses A and B, where gate announcements can be loud and seating insufficient during busy periods.

## Getting to and from the city

Getting to downtown Chicago from Midway is simple and affordable. The CTA Orange Line train connects the airport to the Loop, running every 10–15 minutes. For those preferring road transit, rideshares like Uber and Lyft cost between $25–40 and take 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Metered taxis are another option, averaging $30–40 for the same route. Parking at Midway can be pricey, with the Daily Garage charging $43 per day compared to $8.75 at some off-site lots.

## Traveller essentials

The security lines at MDW can vary dramatically. Frequent flyers advise arriving two hours before flight departure during peak times, given that TSA PreCheck is only available during certain hours. If you're carrying just a bag, bypass the often-crowded ticket counters by tagging your baggage early and handling it yourself if possible. Although the airport has improved since renovations, food options are heavily centralized in the Central Market.

## Dining & shopping highlights

The Central Market features a variety of dining options such as America's Dog & Burger, Beecher's Handmade Cheese, and Arami. If venturing to Concourse B, you'll find Big City Chicken and Hubbard Inn among other choices. Garrett Popcorn Shops in the Central Market is a standout, offering beloved Chicago Mix popcorn perfect for gifts or snacks. Shopping includes local favorites like Chicago Sports and Nuts on Clark along with essential travel outlets like Hudson News & Gifts.

## Lounges

Midway hosts two lounges: The Club MDW, located at the entrance of Concourse B, and the USO Lounge. The Club MDW offers better seating, a quieter environment, and a snack spread, but it’s essential to arrive early to avoid capacity issues. A $50 day pass lets non-members enjoy amenities that are a relative oasis compared to the chaotic main concourse.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** Secure faster city commutes by relying on the speedy CTA Orange Line, just a short covered walk from the terminal.

- **Time:** Early morning and late afternoon flights require a 2-hour arrival to manage security line peaks.

- **Avoid:** Crowded gate areas by using the Central Market for seating and more available power outlets.

- **Local:** Garrett Popcorn at Central Market serves a local favorite; grab a "Chicago Mix" to snack or gift.

- **Money:** For cheaper parking, consider nearby off-site lots over the official $43/day garages.

- **Quiet:** The yoga room and kids' play area are excellent low-traffic refuges; locate them on a terminal map.

- **Time:** During a 4+ hour layover, ride the Orange Line to Bridgeport for quick access to authentic local dining.

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Terminal** — 43 gates · Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines
  The Main Terminal is the heart of Midway International Airport.

## Dining (74)

- **America's Dog & Burger** — Central Market · $$
- **Arami** — A · $$
- **Battle of Midway**
- **Beecher's Handmade Cheese** — Central Market · $$
- **Big Bowl** — Central Market · $$
- **Big City Chicken** — B · $$
- **BIG & little's**
- **Big Shoulders Coffee** — A · $$
- **Big Shoulders Coffee (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · Coffee shop · $
- **Billy Goat Tavern & Grill** — A · $$
- **Billy Goat Tavern & Grill (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · Burgers / Chicago diner · $$
- **Billy Goat Tavern & Grill (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Burgers / Chicago diner · $$
- **Café Descartes** — Baggage Claim · $$
- **Camden food co** — B · $$
- **Chicago Tap Room** — Main Terminal · Bar / pub · $$
- **Cielo Cantina** — A · $$
- **Connie's Pizza** — Central Market · $$
- **Cousins Subs** — Main Terminal · Sandwiches · $
- **Dunkin’** — Main Terminal · Coffee & donuts · Café · $
- **Dunkin’ (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · Coffee & donuts · $
- **Dunkin’ (Concourse C)** — Main Terminal · Coffee & donuts · $
- **Dunkin' Donuts** — Central Market · $
- **Dunkin' Donuts Express** — B · $
- **Dunkin’ (Pre‑Security)** — Main Terminal · Coffee & donuts · $
- **Einstein Bros. Bagels** — A · $
- **Einstein Bros. Bagels (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · Bagels / breakfast · $
- **Einstein Bros. Bagels (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Bagels / breakfast · $
- **Fannie May (Concourse A Café)** — Main Terminal · Coffee & sweets · $$
- **Farmer's Fridge** — Multiple · $$
- **Fuel Bar** — A · $$
- **Garrett Popcorn Shops (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · Snacks · $$
- **Gene's Bistro** — Central Market · $$
- **Gold Coast Dogs**
- **Green Market** — Main Terminal · Healthy / grab‑and‑go · $$
- **Harry Caray's Shortstop** — A · $$
- **Home Run Inn** — B · $$
- **Home Run Inn Pizza** — Main Terminal · Chicago thin-crust pizza · Fast casual · $$
- **Hope & Honey Biscuit Co.** — Main Terminal · Breakfast / comfort food · $$
- **Hubbard Inn** — B · $$
- **Hudson Café (B Gates)** — Main Terminal · Coffee & light meals · $
- **Hudson Grab & Go (Food)** — Main Terminal · Sandwiches & snacks · Grab-and-go · $
- **La Tapenade Mediterranean Café** — Main Terminal · Mediterranean · $$
- **Let’s Toast Champagne Bar** — Main Terminal · Wine & champagne bar · Bar · $$
- **M Burger** — Central Market · $$
- **Manchu Wok** — Main Terminal · Chinese fast food · $
- **McDonald’s** — Main Terminal · Burgers & fast food · Quick service · $
- **Midway Pour House** — Main Terminal · Bar / grill · $$
- **Miller’s Pub** — Main Terminal · Pub / American · $$
- **Mr. Beef** — B · $$
- **Nuts on Clark** — Main Terminal · Snacks & popcorn · Grab-and-go · $
- **Pegasus on the Fly** — Main Terminal · Greek / Mediterranean · $$
- **Peggy’s Famous Diner** — Main Terminal · American diner · Sit-down · $$
- **PorkChop** — B · $$
- **Potbelly Sandwich Shop** — Main Terminal · Sandwiches & salads · Fast casual · $
- **R.J. Grunts** — B · $$
- **Reilly's Daughter** — $$
- **Reilly’s Daughter Irish Pub** — Main Terminal · Irish pub · Sit-down · $$
- **Sarah's Candies** — Central Market · $$
- **Sbarro** — Main Terminal · Pizza · $
- **Shoeshine Grill** — Main Terminal · Fast casual American · $
- **Southside Market** — Main Terminal · Grab‑and‑go / bar · $$
- **Starbucks** — Main Terminal · Coffee & pastries · Café · $
- **Stella Bar** — Main Terminal · Beer bar · $$
- **Taco Bell** — Main Terminal · Mexican-inspired fast food · Quick service · $
- **Tallboy Taco** — Central Market · $$
- **The Atrium**
- **The Market (Concourse B Food Court)** — Main Terminal · Food court concept · $$
- **The Orange Line** — B · $$
- **TSA Burrito** — Main Terminal · Mexican / burritos · $
- **Tuscany Café** — Main Terminal · Italian café · $$
- **White Sox Bar & Grill**
- **Wicker Park Sushi** — Main Terminal · Sushi · $$
- **Windy City Wings** — Main Terminal · Wings / bar · $$
- **Woodgrain Neapolitan Pizzeria**

## Lounges (3)

- **The Club MDW** — Central Market, Priority Pass + day pass · $50
- **USO Center Midway** — Main Terminal · Active duty military, Guard and Reserve, Military families
- **USO Lounge** — Concourse C, military only

## Shops (49)

- **Brighton Collectibles** — Main Terminal · Fashion accessories
- **Central Market Seating Zone**
- **Chicago Marketplace** — Main Terminal · Local gifts & souvenirs
- **Chicago Sports**
- **Chicago Treasures** — Main Terminal · Gifts & souvenirs
- **Departures News**
- **Departures News (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · News & convenience
- **DNCE** — Main Terminal · Fashion boutique
- **Duty Free by Dufry** — Main Terminal · Duty-free
- **Duty Free Store** — Main Terminal · Duty free
- **EVOLVE by Hudson**
- **Fannie May**
- **Fannie May (Central Market Retail)** — Main Terminal · Confectionery
- **Fannie May Chocolates (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Confectionery
- **FAO Schwarz**
- **Farmer's Fridge**
- **Field Museum Store** — Main Terminal · Museum gifts & educational toys
- **Gameway**
- **Garrett Popcorn Shops**
- **Garrett Popcorn Shops (Retail)** — Main Terminal · Confectionery
- **Hudson** — Main Terminal · News & convenience
- **Hudson Booksellers** — Main Terminal · Books & magazines
- **Hudson (Central Market)** — Main Terminal · News & travel essentials
- **Hudson (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · News & travel essentials
- **Hudson (Concourse B)** — Main Terminal · News & travel essentials
- **Hudson (Concourse C)** — Main Terminal · News & travel essentials
- **Hudson News & Gifts**
- **Hudson Nonstop**
- **Hyde Park Market** — Main Terminal · Gourmet foods & gifts
- **Ink by Hudson**
- **InMotion Entertainment** — Main Terminal · Electronics & headphones
- **iStore**
- **Johnston & Murphy**
- **Kids Play Area**
- **Landside Hudson** — Main Terminal · News & convenience
- **Lickity Split** — Main Terminal · Candy & sweets
- **MAC Cosmetics**
- **Nuts on Clark**
- **Nuts on Clark (Retail)** — Main Terminal · Snacks & gifts
- **Southside News**
- **Specialty Retail**
- **Spirit of the Red Horse** — Main Terminal · Native American crafts & jewelry
- **Tech on the Go** — Main Terminal · Electronics & accessories
- **Threads** — Main Terminal · Apparel & accessories
- **Timebox** — Main Terminal · Watches & accessories
- **Travel Healthy** — Main Terminal · Health & wellness
- **Traveler’s Best** — Main Terminal · Travel accessories
- **TUMI**
- **White Sox Bar & Grill Retail** — Main Terminal · Team apparel & souvenirs

## Parking (12)

- **Cell Phone Lot** — Free waiting area
- **Daily Garage** — Long stay · $43/day/day · next to terminal
- **Daily Lot (Surface)** — Surface lot · $30/day, $4/hr · Short walk or brief shuttle ride to terminal
- **Economy Garage** — Long-term parking
- **Economy Lot** — Surface lot · $15/day · Around 0.5-0.7 mi from terminal
- **Econ Park** — Long stay · $15/day/day · next to terminal
- **Hourly Garage** — Short stay · $4/first hour/hr · next to terminal
- **Main Parking Garage (Terminal Garage)** — Garage · $40/day, $4/hr · Directly adjacent to the terminal
- **Midway Park Ride & Fly** — Surface lot · $15-20/day · Off-airport, about 1-2 mi from terminal
- **Off-site Airport Parking** — Private lots and shuttles · $8.75/day
- **Reserved Parking** — Premium reserved spaces
- **The Parking Spot - Midway** — Surface lot · $17-25/day · Off-airport, a few minutes’ drive

## Ground transport (18)

- **CTA Bus 55 Garfield** — Local bus · Variable; CTA lists approx. 35-45 min end to end · $2.50 · Every 8-12 min peak; less frequent late nights
- **CTA Bus 62 Archer** — Local bus · Can exceed 45-60 min Loop–Midway late at night · $2.50 · Every 10-12 min daytime; approx. every 20-30 min overnight (N62)
- **CTA Bus Routes (e.g., 55, 62, 63, 165, 169)** — Bus · 30-60 min to various city neighborhoods · $2.50 · Every 10-20 min depending on route
  Buses depart from the CTA bus bays near the train station entrance.
- **CTA Orange Line** — Train · 25-30 min scheduled Midway–Loop · $2.50 · Every 6-10 min peak, every ~10-15 min off-peak; not 24/7
- **CTA Orange Line to The Loop** — Train · 25-30 min to downtown Chicago · $2.50 · Every 10-15 min
  Station is connected to the terminal via an enclosed walkway.
- **Hotel & Off-Airport Parking Shuttles** — Shuttle · 5-20 min to nearby hotels and parking lots · $0-10 depending on provider · Every 10-30 min
  Pickups occur at the lower-level center median outside baggage claim.
- **Hotel Shuttles** — Courtesy van · 5-15 min drive between Midway and nearby hotel cluster · $0 for most Midway-area hotel guests (included in room rate) · Commonly every 20-30 min; hotel-dependent, not continuous
- **Metra Southwest Service via Wrightwood connection** — Commuter rail · Approx. 25-30 min Wrightwood–Union Station (not including transfer from Midway) · $4-6 range depending on zone and ticket type · Limited; roughly hourly or less, peak-focused, no 24/7
- **Pace Route 379 Midway–Orland Square** — Suburban bus · Approximately 45-60 min Midway–Orland Square per schedule · $2.25 (Pace regular fare) · Roughly every 30-60 min, weekdays; limited weekend service
- **Pace Route 382 Central–Clearing** — Suburban bus · Variable; short local segments around Midway/Clearing · $2.25 (Pace regular fare) · Roughly every 20-30 min daytime; reduced evenings/weekends
- **PACE Suburban Bus** — Bus · 30-70 min to select suburban locations · $2.25 · Every 30-60 min depending on route and time of day
  PACE routes stop at or near the Midway CTA terminal area.
- **Private Car and Limo Services** — Pre-booked car service · 20-35 min Midway–Loop depending on traffic · $60-100 typical Midway–Loop sedan range per provider listings · Pre-booked; availability depends on company fleet and reservation
- **Rideshare Pickup Lyft** — App-based rideshare · 20-35 min Midway–Loop depending on traffic · $25-40 typical Midway–Loop range per user reports; dynamic pricing · On-demand via app; varies with driver supply
- **Rideshare Pickup Uber** — App-based rideshare · 20-35 min Midway–Loop depending on traffic · $25-40 typical Midway–Loop range per user reports; dynamic pricing · On-demand via app; varies with driver supply
- **Shared-Ride Van Services** — Airport shuttle · Often 45-90 min including multiple stops · $20-30 to central Chicago reported by reviewers; varies by provider · On-demand/pooled; depends on reservations and arrival volumes
- **Taxi from Midway to Downtown** — Taxi · 25-45 min to downtown depending on traffic · $25-40 · On demand
  Taxis queue at the lower-level arrivals curb outside the terminal.
- **Taxi Stands** — Metered taxi · 20-35 min Midway–Loop depending on traffic · $30-40 typical Midway–Loop reported by users; metered with surcharges · On-demand from taxi stand during airport operating hours
- **Uber/Lyft Rideshare Pickup** — Rideshare · 25-45 min to downtown depending on traffic · $20-35 · On demand
  Pickup zones are signed outside baggage claim; app instructions specify exact door.

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Secure faster city commutes by relying on the speedy CTA Orange Line, just a short covered walk from the terminal.
- _Time_: Early morning and late afternoon flights require a 2-hour arrival to manage security line peaks.
- _Avoid_: Crowded gate areas by using the Central Market for seating and more available power outlets.
- _Local_: Garrett Popcorn at Central Market serves a local favorite; grab a "Chicago Mix" to snack or gift.
- _Money_: For cheaper parking, consider nearby off-site lots over the official $43/day garages.
- _Quiet_: The yoga room and kids' play area are excellent low-traffic refuges; locate them on a terminal map.
- _Time_: During a 4+ hour layover, ride the Orange Line to Bridgeport for quick access to authentic local dining.