Chicago Midway International Airport [MDW] — Ultimate Guide (2024)

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) served over 20 million passengers in 2019, making it the twenty-ninth busiest airport in the U.S.

MDW is a hub for Southwest Airlines where it operates 229 daily flights — more than any other U.S. airport that Southwest flies from.

Once passengers are past security they can walk between concourses, so there is no need to take transportation or re-clear security between connections (unless arriving on an international flight).

Quick Info

Airport: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Terminals: 1 terminal with 3 concourses — A, B, and C
Airport Address: 5700 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60638
Distance From Downtown Chicago: 11 miles (18 km)
Website: flychicago.com
Phone Number: 773-838-0600
Passengers Served: 22 million annually
Destinations: 58 domestic and 11 international destinations
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found online

MDW Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From MDW

Concourse A

• Delta Air Lines
• Porter Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Volaris Airlines

Concourse B

• Southwest Airlines

Concourse C

• Avelo Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• North Country Sky Airlines

MDW Airport Terminal

Chicago Midway International Airport has an unusual layout with the airport’s road system running between the terminal and the secure area. The 2 buildings are connected via a pedestrian bridge, and passengers must first enter the terminal building to clear security before passing into the concourse areas.

Parking is connected to the terminal building, and the Midway Metro Station is located just behind the terminal parking garage.

The terminal has 2 levels — ticketing on the upper level and baggage claim on the lower level. Curbside access is available at the front of the terminal under the pedestrian bridge to the departure concourses.

Once passengers walk over the bridge, they will need to clear security to enter the concourses.

Concourses

Once past security, passengers will arrive in the central market, which has a large seating area, shops, and restaurants. After security, Concourse A is to the left, Concourse B straight ahead, and Concourse C to the right. Passengers can access all 3 concourses to utilize the facilities available.

Concourse A

Concourse A has 17 gates numbered A1 to A3, A4A, A4B, A5, A7, A5, A9 to A12, and A14 to A19. Gate A4A and A4B are located down a long walkway separate from the other gates, so allow plenty of time and enjoy a coffee at the fuel bar near the gate area.

Concourse A has a food court, a good selection of shops, and a pet relief area.

Concourse B

Concourse B has 23 gates numbered B1 to B3, B5, B7 to B12, and B14 to B26. The concourse is quite long, so there are a couple of moving walkways at the beginning and mid-way down. The concourse also has a good range of shops and restaurants.

Concourse C

Concourse C is the smallest of the 3 concourses with just 3 gates — C1, C2, and C3. The concourse has a USO lounge, yoga room, and chapel on the mezzanine level.

Inter-terminal Transport

MDW consists of only 1 terminal and 3 concourses, which are all interlinked, so there is no transport for getting around. Passengers can walk between the concourses without the need to re-clear security (unless arriving on an international flight).

Security and Customs at MDW

MDW has 1 large security checkpoint with many lanes situated across the bridge from the terminal.

The checkpoint is open daily from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

TSA PreCheck

MDW has TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoint open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MDW does not have a TSA Enrollment Center, and the closest is located around 8 miles away at IdentoGO, 1136 S. Delano Ct. W. Ste. B201, Chicago, IL 60605-3734, open Monday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Global Entry Program

MDW participates in Global Entry, and approved passengers may use the available kiosks when arriving at the airport.

There’s no Global Entry Enrollment Center at the airport. The closest is located around 10 miles away at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office at 610 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60607. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Automated Passport Control

Automated Passport Control (APC) is available at MDW, where passengers can use self-serve kiosks instead of completing an arrival card. This is valid for U.S. and Canadian passport holders arriving at the airport on an international flight.

MDW Airport Lounges

MDW only has 1 lounge and it is only available to active-duty military. The USO Lounge is located in Concourse C (inside the secure area) and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hot Tip:If you are active military, see our article on the best credit cards for active military as many issuers waive annual fees and you can use lounge access benefits that are offered by those cards.

Dining and Drinks at MDW

MDW has 33 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters. These are located throughout the concourses, in the central market, and in the Concourse A food court.

MDW Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, pre- and post-security. To connect, select “Boingo Hotspot” or “_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi” from the available connections. You’ll need to watch an advertisem*nt to connect. For any connection issues, passengers can contact 800-880-4117 for assistance.

Charging Stations: Workstations are located throughout the airport with AC outlets, and seating areas have built-in charging outlets.

MDW Airport Lost and Found

Passengers must contact the applicable department, depending on where the item was misplaced:

• At the Ticketing Desks, Gate Areas, or on an Aircraft: contact the applicable airline
• Within the Public Areas of the Terminal: contact the Midway Communication Center at 773-838-0656
• At a Shop or Restaurant: contact the Midway Concessions Guest Services at 888-813-4568
• At the Security Checkpoint: contact TSA at 773-498-1308 or email mdwcustomerservice@tsa.dhs.gov
• In a Parking Lot: contact 773-838-0753
• At the Customs Area: contact 773-948-6330

Hot Tip: Are you looking for some things to do while in Chicago? Check out these popular Chicago attractions.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Information booths are available in the terminal for passenger advice.

Children’s Play Areas

MDW does not have a children’s play area, so it is featured as one of the least kid-friendly airports in the U.S.

Baby Facilities

MDW has a mother’s room for nursing located in Concourse C near the yoga room.

Traveling With a Pet

MDW has 2 pet relief areas, located:

• At the north end outside of the terminal building on the lower level
• In the concessions area on the way down to gate A4A

Prayer

MDW has a chapel located in Concourse C on the mezzanine level. The chapel provides prayer books, rugs, and rosaries for passengers to pray or for quiet reflection before or after their flight. The chapel office can be contacted at 773-686-2636.

Smoking Areas

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the terminal and is only permitted outside of the terminal building.

Money

ATMs are located throughout the airport, and foreign currency services are available in Concourse A.

Luggage Storage

MDW does not offer official airport luggage storage, but passengers can book this through a third party such as USEBounce.com.

Important MDW Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 773-838-0600

Parking: 773-838-0756.​

Lost and Found: 773-838-0656

Travel to and From MDW

Transport Options

Bus

• CTA Buses: 7CTA routes serve the airport operating from the Midway Transportation Center in the same location as the Midway CTA station. The following bus routes operate to/from the airport:
  • 54B: Ford City Mall – Cermak/Kenton
  • 55: Museum of Science & Industry – MDW
  • 55A: Austin/65th – MDW
  • 55N: Austin/65th – MDW
  • 62H: 63rd/Archer – MDW
  • 63: 63rd Street/Stony Island – MDW
  • 63W: Archer – MDW
• Pace Buses: 7 bus routes operate between the Chicago suburbs and the airport, also running from the Midway Transportation Center. Passengers can ride the following routes:
  • 379: Orland Square Mall – MDW
  • 382: 104th/Pulaski – MDW
  • 383: Oak Forest Hospital – MDW
  • 384: 111th/Natoma – MDW
  • 385: Rivercrest Shopping Center – MDW
  • 386: Tinley Park Mental Health Center – MDW
  • 390: UPS Hodgkins – 47th/Cicero via MDW
• Regional Buses: Many regional buses serve journeys to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The airport recommends these bus companies. Buses operate from the lower level through the parking garage (from the terminal exit via door 6).

Hot Tip:CTA single bus fares are $2.25 and Pace fares are $1.75. If a transfer is required between a Pace and CTA bus, it’s cheaper to purchase a Pace/CTA electronic fare card, where only a single route for the entire journey would be charged.

Train

CTA trains operate to/from MDW on the orange lane from the Midway CTA Station located next to the terminal. Trains operate from around 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily from the airport to downtown Chicago with the journey taking 20 to 25 minutes.

Shuttles

The airport recommends these shuttle providers.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the terminal, curbside on the lower level, and should operate with a meter. Fares from the airport to downtown Chicago are around $35 to $40.

Shared-ride taxis are also available to certain destinations for these flat rates:

• Downtown: $18 per passenger
• McCormick Place: $18 per passenger
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport: $35 per person

Rideshare operators such as Lyft and Uber operate from MDW and may pick up passengers from the baggage claim level outside door 4.

Directions by Car to MDW

Arriving From Downtown Chicago

Take South Columbia Drive and merge onto US-41/S Lake Shore Drive. Take the right 2 lanes to take the I-55 S exit towards Saint Louis. Continue on I-55 S until exit 286 for IL-50/Cicero Avenue towards the airport.

Arriving From Milwaukee

Take I-94 W and use the right lane to merge onto I-794. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 1B-1C for I-43 S/I-94 E towards Chicago and merge onto I-94 E. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-294 S and follow signs for Indiana – O’Hare. Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto I-55 N and then take exit 286 for IL-50/Cicero Avenue towards the airport.

MDW Airport Parking Information

Official Airport Parking

Depending on your requirements, MDW has hourly, daily, and economy parking available on airport property.

Hourly and Daily Parking

The terminal parking garage offers the most convenient parking as it is situated in front of the terminal. Hourly parking is available on level 1 and daily parking on levels 2 to 6.

Hourly parking (level 1) rates are:

Daily parking (levels 2 to 6) rates are:

The daily parking lot is located a short distance from the terminal on the corner of 55th Street and Kilpatrick Avenue. Shuttle buses operate between the terminal and the parking lot.

Parking rates are:

• Up to 1 hour: $4
• 1 to 24 hours: $30

Hot Tip:Passengers can reserve parking before arriving at the airport to guarantee a space, even if the parking lot is full.

Long-term Parking

There are 2 economy parking lots on airport property located north of the terminal. Both are served by shuttle buses from the terminal that operate every 10 to 15 minutes and both charge the following parking rates:

• Up to 1 hour: $4
• 1 to 24 hours: $15

Hot Tip:Electric vehicle charging points are located in the cell phone waiting lot, on the ground level of the terminal parking lot, and in the economy parking lot (lot E on 4799 W. 54th St.).

Pick-up and Drop-off Parking

MDW has a cell phone waiting lot located south of the airport at 61st Street and Cicero Avenue. Friends or family waiting to pick up passengers may wait for free with their vehicles and save circling the airport. Once the passenger is ready curbside, then the vehicle can proceed to the outer curb of the lower level.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Cheaper parking rates can be found off-airport property at external parking lots or hotels.

Daily parking at MDW starts at $9.50 when booked with airportparkingreservations.com, and hotels also offer combined accommodation and parking packages.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

MDW has disabled parking spaces in the terminal garage, daily, and economy parking lots. The terminal garage has a height clearance of 8 feet 8 inches on level 1, and the economy garage has a height clearance of 8 feet 2 inches.

All parking shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible with lifts and tie-downs.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 703-572-4500 or 772-838-0756

Car Rental at MDW Airport

The rental car center is located a short distance from the terminal on 5150 W. 55th St. Shuttle buses to/from the rental car center operate every 15 minutes outside door 2 on the lower level of the terminal.

These companies can be found in the rental car center:

Hot Tip:Check out these credit cards with rental car insurance as a benefit and avoid unnecessary excessive rental insurance fees.

MDW Airport Hotels

There are no hotels on airport property, with the closest located about half a mile away. All surrounding airport hotels are 2- to 3- stars, so if you’re looking for a little more luxury, you will need to venture into downtown Chicago.

Hot Tip:If you’re unsure on where to stay in Chicago, read our review of the Talbott Hotel, a 4-star Hyatt Hotel in Chicago.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The Chicago Marriott Midway offers a free shuttle to the airport and local train station for those who need to go downtown. The on-site amenities include a restaurant, bar/lounge, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Award nights start at 21,000 points per night.

The Hyatt Place Chicago Midway is a great option for Hyatt loyalists at just 6,500 points per night. The Category 2 hotel offers a shuttle to the airport, free self-parking, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, and free breakfast for all World of Hyatt members.

DoubleTree by Hilton offers many different amenities to guests combined with close proximity to the airport. The hotel offers an on-site restaurant, an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, free self-parking, and a free airport shuttle. Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, but you can expect a free night at the hotel to cost from 42,000 points.

Hot Tip:If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways toearn more World Hyatt,Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors points.

Final Thoughts

The Midway Modernization Program (MMP) is currently in progress to enhance the MDW airport experience and to accommodate future passenger growth. Construction was completed in 2020 to widen the bridge over Cicero Avenue between the terminal and concourses, increasing the size of the security checkpoint.

New shopping and dining facilities have also been opening in phases as part of the concessions redevelopment project, as well as general modernization of the airport common areas.