Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a single-terminal airport on the city’s southwest side and a major base for Southwest Airlines. Pre-pandemic annual passenger numbers were in the tens of millions, with the airport serving mostly domestic and near-international routes.
The terminal is arranged around a central building with multiple concourses (A-D) serving gates; the layout is compact compared with O’Hare and optimized for high-frequency short-haul operations.
Terminal Guide for Chicago Midway International Airport #
MDW operates from a single consolidated passenger terminal with multiple concourses radiating from the central building. Airline ticket counters, security checkpoints and baggage claim are located in the central terminal area; gates are reached by walking from the central hall to the concourses.
Moving between concourses is done on foot within the secure area; there is no internal shuttle required for typical connections inside the terminal.
Getting to and From Chicago Midway International Airport #
Midway is about 10 miles (16 km) from downtown Chicago; the most convenient public option is the CTA Orange Line, with taxis and ride-share also readily available. Travel times into the Loop are typically 20-35 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
- Rail/Metro: CTA Orange Line runs between Midway and downtown Chicago; typical ride to the Loop is around 20-25 minutes (standard CTA fare applies).
- Buses: CTA and Pace buses serve the airport linking neighbourhoods across the south side.
- Taxis: Metered taxis are available at the curb; travel time to downtown varies with traffic but is commonly 20-35 minutes.
- Ride-share: Uber/Lyft operate with official pick-up points outside the terminal.
- Driving: The airport is easily reachable from interstates and city roads with on-site short- and long-term parking.
Facilities, Shopping, and Dining at Chicago Midway International Airport #
Midway provides a wide range of passenger services, from fast-food and sit-down restaurants to retail and travel essentials throughout the terminal.
- Lounges: Airline lounges and pay-per-entry lounges are available; access depends on airline status or paid entry.
- Food & drink: Numerous fast-food and casual dining options in landside and airside areas.
- Wi‑Fi: Free Wi‑Fi is provided; connect to the airport SSID and follow the terms page.
- Charging: Power outlets and charging stations are available at many gate seating areas.
- Luggage & services: Baggage services, lost-and-found and rental car desks are located landside; long-term parking and shuttle services are available.
- Accessibility: The terminal is accessible and airlines provide assistance when pre-arranged.
Hotels and Layovers at Chicago Midway International Airport #
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway (close to the airport; parent site: https://www.hilton.com)
- Hampton Inn Chicago-Midway Airport (nearby; parent site: https://www.hilton.com)
For short overnight stays consider hotels adjacent to the airport which commonly offer shuttle service to Midway. Check hotel websites for shuttle schedules and day-room availability.
Tips for Chicago Midway International Airport #
- Take the CTA Orange Line for the cheapest and usually fastest transit option to downtown Chicago - trains run frequently and go directly to the Loop.
- Midway is Southwest’s primary Chicago base; if you fly Southwest you can expect most flights to operate from Midway and straightforward connections.
- If you need cheaper food, head landside where quick-service options and convenience stores tend to be less expensive than airside concessions.
Weather & Climate near Chicago Midway International Airport #
Chicago Midway International Airport's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (961 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -1° | -11° | 46 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Poor | -7° - 2° | -8° | 42 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 8° | -1° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 15° | 7° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Very Good | 10° - 22° | 16° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| June | Excellent | 15° - 28° | 21° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.0h |
| July | Excellent | 18° - 30° | 24° | 97 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.7h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 28° | 23° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.0 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 13° - 25° | 19° | 90 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 0° - 9° | 1° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Poor | -6° - 2° | -7° | 66 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
