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Flight guide to Chicago

Overview of Chicago

As Frank Sinatra crooned, “Chicago is my kind of town.” And many visitors agree. A trip to Chicago is...

Chicago Midway (MDW) Airport Guide

Airport Name

Chicago Midway International Airport

Airport Location

The airport is located 13km (8 miles) southwest of downtown Chicago.

Terminals

1

IATA Code

MDW

Telephone

+1 773 838 0600 or 1 800 832 6352

Airport Overview

Page sections

Chicago Midway International Airport is developing into an important hub for domestic air travel in the United States. Last year, more than 17 million passengers passed through its gates, gaining connections to hundreds of American and international destinations.

Flights to Chicago Midway International Airport are mainly provided by Dallas-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, offering cheap flights to a host of American and Canadian destinations. Most other airlines fly into Chicago’s other major airport, O’Hare.

There's quite a lot to see and do in Chicago Midway, including a lovely central area known as Midway Boulevard. Full of shops, restaurants and cafes, Midway Boulevard is the perfect place to pull up a chair and people-watch.

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Terminal Transfer

<div class="rxbodyfield">Not applicable &#8211; Chicago Midway International Airport has only one terminal building.</div>

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Getting into Town

Taxi: Taxis are freely available outside the lower level of the terminal building. There is no fixed charge or prepaid fee – all taxis run on meters. It should cost $22-$28 to get downtown and the trip should take 20- 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Bus: Chicago Midway International Airport is connected to the downtown area by the CTA Orange Line public bus service. Tickets can be bought at the Midway Orange Line station, which is conveniently located right across from the airport on Cicero Avenue. The Orange Line makes stops throughout southwest Chicago and travels right into the central area known as The Loop. Buses leave frequently, cost $2-$3, and take up to 45 minutes to make the trip into town.

Train: The Chicago Transport Authority's Orange Line operates a train service between Midway Station and downtown, via the famous elevated tracks. Midway Station is easy accessed by foot from the airport (follow the signs saying ‘CTA Trains’ or ‘Trains to City’), and the trains run every day from 4am to 1am (until 11pm on Sundays). The trip should take about 25 minutes, and cost $2.25.

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Car Parking

There is short and long-stay, off and on-site parking available at Chicago Midway International Airport. The six-storey parking garage (complete with walkway access to the terminal building) offers hourly parking on the bottom levels, and daily parking on levels 4, 5 and 6. Hourly parking is free for the first ten minutes, and then $2 for up to 30 minutes, $4 for up to 60 minutes, $6 for up to two hours, $8 for up to three hours, $10 for up to four hours, and so on – reaching a fee of $51 for 24 hours. Unsurprisingly, daily parking is cheaper. Identical rates apply until you've parked for four hours, and then the following fees are levied: $13 for four-eight hours, $18 for eight to 12 hours, $23 for 12-16 hours, and $29 for 16-24 hours.

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Information Desks

Information desks are located in the upper levels of the terminal building (near the ticketing kiosks), as well as in the lower levels (near baggage reclaim). Here, you can get good information about the amenities and facilities available at the airport, as well as advice on what to see and do around Chicago.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: There are numerous ATMs dotted around Chicago Midway International Airport, and a currency exchange office may be found in Concourse A. TTY Telephones are widely available.

Luggage: The lost and found office is administered by the Chicago Police Department, who have an office in Concourse C. Baggage carts are available in Concourse A.

Conference and business: Exhaustive conference facilities are offered by nearby airport hotels (such as the Chicago Marriott Midway). There are currently plans underway to install more business facilities at Chicago Midway International Airport.

Other facilities: Other facilities at Chicago Midway International Airport include baby-changing facilities, medical facilities, TVs, an interfaith chapel, and full access and facilities for disabled passengers.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi connectivity is available in all passenger areas, though you will have to purchase a prepaid voucher from Boingo (located near Midway Boulevard). For $6.95, you can get a full day's wi-fi access.

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Cheap flights to Chicago Midway

London (LHR) to Chicago, USA (MDW)
from£493RTwith Opodo
London (LGW) to Chicago, USA (MDW)
from£410RTwith KLM
London (LHR) to Chicago, USA (MDW)
from£982RTwith Netflights.com

Car Rentals

Car rentals at Chicago Midway International Airport are provided by Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. Their counters are located in the lower level of the arrivals hall in the terminal building, near baggage reclaim – though you will pick up and drop off your rental car in the parking garage on Level 2.

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