Chicago Midway International Airport

Airport Airport

IATA Code
MDW
ICAO Code
KMDW
Airport Type
Large Airport
Class
International

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.

Chicago Midway International Airport
Elevation: 188 m
41.7860, -87.7524

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 #

Climate

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).

Air Quality: AQI 37 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulySeptemberJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-9° -1°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 28°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.7h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 28°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

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